Venabu 2010 - Hiking in the Rondane and Ringebu Mountain
It has been arranged
guided walks in the local mountains for 20 years. Four years ago we began walking two walks every day (one easy, one
longer). In 1998 we produced an exciting new program. In doing so we
have tried to retain the "highlights" of the previous
program, but at the same time develop new walks. All of the walks
have changed in some way and some are completely new altogether. The
variety of the week remains the same as does the chance to see wild
reindeer, sample the delicious summer farm lunch and visit different
parts of the nearby mountains. The easy walks are between 10 and 15
kms and the longer walks are between 15 and 25 kms long. Choose
between them every day.
From the middle of June to the first week of September we offer a
programme of guided walks from Monday to Friday. We normally leave
at about 9.30am. with a picnic lunch, returning to the hotel in good
time for dinner at 6.30pm. The walks are in varied terrain and offer
something for everyone. If you're just passing through, why not join
us on one of our walks? Otherwise, sign up for the whole week, it's
well worth it!
Prices and dates for the 2010 season
Start every Saturday for the foreign market and Sundays for the locals
First departure 12. June - Last departure 21. August
| Included in the price for 2009 | Sat - Sat |
| 7 nights fullboard in westwing doubleroom, 5 guided walks, all transports according to program. | € 1.040 |
| Supplement for single room suppl eastwing / westwing | € 62 / € 184 |
| Transport
Ringebu St. - Venabu Hotel
OneWay price Transport Gardermoen - Venabu Hotel OneWay price |
€ 17
€ 47 |
The Hotel has a bus service from / to Oslo Airport Gardermoen every Saturday ca. 2 pm, and for guests arriving by train the Hotelbus pick up in Ringebu on request.
Booking and inquieries
FJELLFERIE as - 3550 GOL - Norway
tel +47 3207 6033 fax +47 3207 5333 e-mail: post@fjellferie.no
You might take contact with a travel office in your own country. See the list of cooperating agencies:
Day by day program:
Saturday: Arrival in time for dinner at the hotel.
We have a short
introduction walk before lunch, to get acquainted to the area. Lunch
at the hotel and an excursion with mini-bus on a small road with a
nice view to see Ringebu stave church, a beautiful wooden church
from beginning of 1200 and the old vicarage with different kind of
exhibitions. The stave churches in Norway are the oldest wooden
buildings in the world. Lars will show his slides and tell about
Venabu and the area. Afterwards you will meet your tour leaders for
the week and have further information.
Monday: Canyons and waterfalls
On the plateau where Venabu is situated, it looks rather flat with
about 30 smaller and bigger peaks raising. But there are surprises
in this landscape. 3kms from Venabu you will find 3 connecting
waterfalls with a height of more than 100 metres, and a little
further on you will find a canyon with walls of a height of up to
100 metres! There are several routes to see these two attractions,
so we will find the best ones to lead you through open plateaux as
well as down in the canyons.
The summer farm programme is fixed to Tuesday and leads you over small mountains in the southern part of the plateau and through peaceful summer farm areas, with a beautiful view over the mountain ranges and the main valley of Gudbrandsdalen, the longest valley in Norway. There are several routes to reach the summer farm. This day you will see how the area has changed from a pasture area to a recreation site with private cabins. Our musician will play for entertainment and dancing every evening except Sunday.
The wild reindeer we find in
the mountains around Venabu are protected under international law,
since they are direct descendants from the ancient tundra reindeer
of Europe, not mixed with the tame reindeer you find in other places
in the country. These beautiful animals are very shy, and we have a
responsibility not to disturb them. But we walk through the Rondane
National park and will see traces of the old hunting culture, the
homeland for the wild reindeer from old times. Some times we see the
reindeer, they are following the same routes as they have done for
thousands of years.
On Wednesday evening there is a special buffet with
traditional food and local produce and we give you an introduction
to Norwegian food, among other things the very special "rakefisk"(known
from Viking times).
You will also have a chance to taste dishes of moose and reindeer,
Norwegian cheeses and lovely desserts. Several hot dishes and a rich
choice of cold meat and fish, and of course something for the
vegetarians. This meal is excellent to try out the Norwegian aquavit,
and otherwise we recommend the fresh water from the hotel's own
source. After the meal, the hostess will show you her close up
pictures of the local mountain flora.
A spectacular, but steep path leads up the top, 2114m .a.sl. with a fabulous view over the lake Atnsjøen below and the other high peaks in the Rondane massif. Height difference for Høgronden is approx. 1.400 m and require good physics, and also good weather. If the weather isn't good enough, a good alternative is the peak of Gravskardshøgda on the opposite side of the valley.
The option for an easier tour starts in the same area and heads for Bjørnhollia, a beautifully located and very popular mountain refuge in the national park surrounded by the high mountains. Terraces and "dead ice" landscape from the ice age form a very special landscape, mostly covered by lichen and some scattered pine trees. The light yellow/green colour of the lichen gives a very special light.
This day is reserved for a walk in a landscape where we have the best chances to see the wild reindeer. The landscape here was formed in a desert climate 50 millions years ago and the walkers roam on the vast plateau covered with lichen and moss and inhabited by wild reindeer, with possibilities to climb small peaks and also take a little swim in a refreshing mountain lake. The end of the tour is a descent to the 18C church at Sollia, and a guided tour around one of the best preserved baroque churches in Norway. This little church is built in a remote valley, and is a very peaceful place to visit. In August you may be lucky and find some of the precious cloudberries. In the evening there is an aperitif before the farewell buffet.
We have a direct bus to Oslo every Saturday.