Stargazing in Røros and Østerdalen: A Sky Full Of Stars

Our region, with its often stable and cold winters, offers perfect conditions for stargazing. Photo: Emmeli Nilsson.

When visiting Røros and Østedalen during autumn and winter, you can experience something a few of us see in our daily lives: a night sky full of stars. Curious about the travel trend known as stargazing, or noctourism? Here are some of our tips for an unforgettible journey into the darkness of our region. 

Would you like to look millions–even billions–of years back in time, while riding a dogsled, snowshoeing through the forest, or spending the night in a treetop cabin? 

In Røros and Østerdalen, great adventures await beneath the shimmering night sky. 

– On clear nights in Nord-Østerdal, you can see the stars incredibly well. Since the wind rarely blows here, there's also a magical silence you just have to exprience for yourself, says Ola from Baugsberget Mountain Cabins. 

Together with his wife Janne, he offers overnight stays in cabins high up on a mountaintop–where guests quite literally live among the stars. 

– Our region often has cold, clear weather, which makes for perfect stargazing conditions. Even at -20 degrees celsius, it doesn't feel so cold because the air is dry and the wind is light. With good visibility, and low mountains around us, you get wide views of the starry sky in every direction, says Ola. 

At the top of Baugsberget in Alvdal, you can spend the night in cabins where you quite literally sleep among the stars. Photo: Baugsberget Mountain Cabins. 

Noctourism in Røros and Østerdalen

The chance to admire the stars and other celestial bodies is something many people now have on their bucket list. 

Stargazing–also known as noctourism–is a growing niche where travelers seek destinations with little light pollution. In these places, you can admire the Milky Way with the naked eye and explore the planets through a telescope. Light pollution is refers to artificial, unwanted, or excessive light that negatively affects humans, animals, and plants. 

– In Røros and Østerdalen, people live more spread out. That means less development and far less light pollution than in many other parts of Norway and Europe, says Tove, Director of Tourism at Visit Røros and Østerdalen. 

While you'll see some glow from the small towns in the region, you don't have to travel far before the darkness takes over completely.

In the national parks of Femundmarka and Forollhogna, it's the natural light of the night sky that guides you, just as it has guided humans an animals for thousands of years. 

– It's wonderful to go on a trip where the light of the sky leads the way. And we have so many activities where you can combine stargazing with fishing, mountain hikes, dogsledding, skiing and much more, all year round, says Tove.

The half-moon lights the way to the top of the slope on a cold morning in Tänndalen. Photo: William Jonasson.

5 tips Tips for Stargazing 

1. When is the best time to see stars and celestial bodies?
   The darkest season at our latitude is from October to March. Bring a star chart or download an app, and you'll know where to look for constellations–maybe you'll even spot a few on your own. 
2. How can I see better in the dark?
   Turn off you headlamp and phone screen when you go outside. Let your eyes adjust to the night for about 30 minutes. If you're hiking, usa a headlamp with red light–it lets you see while preserving your night vision.
3. What should I bring with me?
   A telescope will show you much more than the naked eye. A chair or mat is also useful, so you don't strain your neck from looking up. 
4. How should I dress? 
   Wear warm clothes, especially wool–it often gets very cold on clear nights!
5. Why is darknes good for us?
   Don't be afraid of the dark–we actually depend on it. Our bodies produce the hormone melatonin when we rest and sleep, and darkness is essential for triggering it. That's why it's often called the "sleep hormone". 

Cold, Clear and Dry Nights: Perfect for Northern Lights and Stargazing

Did you know that 60 percent of Europeans can't see the Milky Way because of light pollution? That's one of the findings from a 2016 study. 

Originally from Switzerland, Olivia has found her place under the dark skies of Engerdal. Together with her husband, Sjur, she runs Åsgård Wilderness Farm and offers dogsledding adventures through Eywas Trails. 

Olivia and Sjur offer dogsledding and say many visitors are deeply moved when the northern lights appear in the sky. Photo: Eywas Trails.  

– I've had guests who almost start crying when they see the northern lights and the stars. They don't expect it here–they think the northern lights are only visible further north in Norway. But we actually see them quite often, says Olivia. 

Most of their visitors are international travelers, but more Norwegians are joining too. Olivia and Sjur offer dogsledding in both summer and winter, as well as snowshoe and fishing trips. They also provide accomodations in a two-story treetop cabin in the forest. 

– You only see the natural light–no other lights, says Olivia.

Sharing Magical Moments Without a Smartphone

The couple behind Åsgård Wilderness Farm and Eywas Trails believe Østerdalen has many qualities people are searching for today. 

–I think it's wonderful that people seek out dark skies and stars. But it's also a little sad that most of ut live surrounded by light pollution. Here in Engerdal and Tylldal, where we live and guide tours, we can escape the noise and lights. We have the time and space to enjoy the wilderness, says Olivia.

She explains that September is often the perfect month for stargazing. 

Many are surprised to see the northern lights while on a trip in Østerdalen. Olivia from Eywas Trails says that autumn is often a great season for northern lights and stargazing: Photo: Eywas Trails. 

– It's not too cold, the skies are often at their best, and the northern lights are frequent. Sharing the exprience of seeing the aurora with others is truly magical. We encourage people to put away their phones and just enjoy the moment. We'll take the photos, says Olivia. 

Olivia and Sjur also prefer to take their guests off the beaten path. 

– In Switzerland, there are people everywhere, no matter where you hike. In Østerdalen, we have space. And as experience providers, we always try to bring people to hidden spots. It doesn't have to be the highest peak or the most famous mountain. Sometimes the best places are the quiet ones, with just as much beauty and no crowds. Real nature, real experiences, says Olivia. 

 Driving a dogsled through the winter landscape as day turns into night is pure magic. Exprience nature and feel the peace and silence. Photo: Eywas Trails. 

A Galaxt Far, Far Away–But Closer Than You Think

In Tänndalen. just across the Swedish border, snow crystals sparkle on the ski slopes in winter. But if you look up, you'll also see a memory worth keeping.

Sometimes the darkness feels like a curtain being drawn. And then the show begins. 

– In Tänndalen, there's very little light pollution, so the sky often becomes crystal clear. A perfect winters day might start on the ski slopes or trails, followed by a sauna and a cozy dinner by the fireplace at the Ski Lodge. When the night falls, a quiet snowshoe hike awaits–sometimes with the northern light dancing above the mountain plateau, and thousands of stars shining bright over the snowy peaks, says Carin, business developer and exprience creator at Tänndalen Mountain Ski Area. 

More guests are looking for nature experiences in addition to skiing. Stargazing is a perfect activity for that, says Carin. Photo: Tänndalen Mountain Ski Area

She has noticed a growing interest in nature-based experiences, with guests wanting something extra in addition to skiing. 

– Many visitors are looking for a contrast to eceryday life. They want to experience something genuine and authentic in the mountains, Carin explains.

She believes stargazing is the perfect activity to combine with simple pleasures: 

 – Great activites can be an evening snowshoe or a cross-country ski trip, cooking over an open fire, sitting outside on reindeer hides by the bonfire with a hot drink, or joining a guided night run or ski tour, says Carin.

Guests Keep Praising One Quality

If you live in a city or a densly populated area, ask yourself: when was the last time you saw the Milky Way and a sky full of stars?

Ola and Janne at Baugsberget Mountain Cabins have been running their unique accomodation for several years now. They are proud to offer guests a genuine and different nature experience. The fact that visitors must hike up the mountain before enjoying panoramic views of both the valley and the starry sky makes the stay even more rewarding. 

And there's one quality their guests always mention:

– The peace and quiet. People love that, and we get so much positive feedback about it, says Ola.

Want to experience stargazing in Røros and Østerdalen? Explore our activities and accomodation on our website.