Peer Gynt Trail, Norway

Peer Gynt cross country ski map
Getting to Norway by Air


You can fly direct to Oslo or Bergen. Then get a train/drive to the start.

Transfer to the Start


It depends where you choose to start your tour - Dalseter, Fagerhøy, Skeikampen or Kvitfjell. And then return from your destination.  But once you know your route, you can look up options on Rome2Rio.

Background

The mountains of Norway's Peer Gynt region are ideal for cross-country skiing. This area enjoys stable weather conditions, beautiful scenery and perfectly prepared trails. It's a great region for intermediate skiers looking to hone their technique on a point-to-point journey. With views of some of Norway's most well known mountains, you can ski with great scenery around you and a  comfortable hotels at the end of the day.

 

The Peer Gynt Løype (trail) was named after the Norwegian hero, who lived in Sødorp by Vinstra and was brought to life by Henrik Ibsen in his fictional tale. Sødorp is the highest village in Norway to be occupied all year round. The character is celebrated every year in August with a festival, and the legend of Peer Gynt lives on in today's modern Norway.

Route Options

The trail runs for 90 kilometers (via Kvitfjell) along the western side of Gudbrandsdalen. It then became the name of the mountain area which extends south to Skeikampen, east to Kvitfjell, west to Espedalen and northwest to Skåbu.  The  route is mostly at 900 – 1100 metres altitude, with the highest point at 1500 metres, and is a well marked route. The terrain crosses rolling mountains and plateaux, with views to the far Rondane and Jotunheimen peaks and provides a real sense of a journey, but without hugely challenging conditions.

You can start at either end of the Trail:


In the north, you start at Dalseter, from the Dalseter Høyfjellshotell or Ruten Fjellstue, depending on which hotel you stay in. Follow the road for approx. 600 m eastbound, and then take the trail on the northern side and continue along towards Ruten.  See the section below.

With Fagerhøy as a starting point, the route is ideal for day-trips to Skeikampen, Gålå and Kvitfjell. From Fagerhøy, the route crosses the farm yard and yellow signs show marking in both directions. This also applies to Lauvåsen Fjellstue.

In the south, the trail starts at Skeikampen's Thon Hotel Gausdal. From the hotel's reception, follow the chairlift north until you reach a mountain farm road. Continue eastbound on this road until the trail again leads north. Then follow the Prestkamp trail on the eastern side of Skeikampen. 

The eastern starting point is by Gudbrandsgard Hotell at Kvitfjell, and from here the trail leads west towards Skardtjønn. It then continues across Svinslåa to Vendalen and joins the Peer Gynt Trail in the south between Fagerhøy and Lauvåsen Fjellstue.

As well as completing the Peer Gynt trail itself, you could make  a longer trip by taking additional routes around the areas you stay in overnight.  For more information on routes at those resorts, see their resort page, if I have written one already.

Peer Gynt Trail from Skeikampen or Kvitfjell to Fagerhøy - Fagerhøy to Gålå

  • Skeikampen - Fagerhøy - 20 km

    The route follows the Prestkamp trail with a steady uphill climb on the eastern side of Skeikampen to Avlundskampen, at 1100 metres.  It then leads into the beautiful valley on the western side of Prestkampen and continues towards Skarbua. From Skarbua, the trail turns west and goes through beautiful high mountain scenery to Fagerhøy.

  • Kvitfjell – Fagerhøy - 18 km

    From the mid-station at Kvitfjell, follow the trail east to Kvitfjellet mountain at 1044 m. Continue across Svinslåa mountain farm and follow the trail on the southern side of lake Vendalsvatnet. From the Vendalen mountain farms, a gentle climb will take you to the Peer Gynt Route. You can then follow the "lovers' lane" to Fagerhøy or continue west until you reach the Peer Gynt Trail at Kantlia. From here, it is approx. 2 km to Fagerhøy. Varied terrain ranging from fir-tree forests to scattered woodland and bare mountains.

  • Fagerhøy - Lauvåsen – Gålå - 16 km

    From Fagerhøy, the route follows the mountain farm road north-west towards Kantlia. As you approach Kantlia, the trail turns north across Kantliknappen, which, despite its modest height of only 1050 metres, offers spectacular panoramic views of areas such as Jotunheimen and Rondane. From Kantliknappen, the trail leads towards Lauvåsen Fjellstue where it runs straight through the yard. The route then follows the mountain farm road towards Bjørkåsen, before it continues north-west as a trail towards the Jetningen lake and on to the Wadahl and Gålå hotels. Gentle skiing through a varied scenery with only minor differences in altitude.

The Peer Gynt Trail from Dalseter to Skeikampen

  • Dalseter to Fefor - 18 km - Ascent 231m - Descent 268m

    A gentle ascent from Dalseter leads to the Hattdal Valley and flatter terrain through birch trees. There is a fun descent with views of the distant Rondane mountains. The trail continues undulating through pine forests to the outskirts of Fefor, with views of the Rutenfjell mountain and frozen lake.   The final section of the trail passes a series of old farms, before  reaching the historic Fefor Høifjellshotel situated by the lake, where you can stay the night. It was built in 1891 and was once a simple farm guest house before it became the winter residence for King Haakan and his family between 1907-1914, and later owned by the Dutch Queen Wilhelmine. The lodge has also played host to polar explorers, and  Scott visited to test his motor sledge before the polar expedition to the south pole of 1912. Today the Fefor Høifjellshotel keeps it's character offering excellent accommodation, a swimming pool, a roaring log fire, and a great buffet dinner.  

  • Fefor to Lauvåsen - 19km - Ascent: 420m Descent: 380m

    The trail  runs directly from the hotel in Fefor and takes an undulating route with some lovely downhills into woodland below. It then heads alongside the Gålåvatnet lake with easy skiing to the small village of Gålå.


    Gålå is where the first Gudbrandsdal cheese was made in 1863, and each August a performance of Henrik Ibsen’s 'Peer Gynt' with music by Grieg is arranged at the outdoor arena by Gålåvatn lake. 


    You can stop at the character filled Peer Gynt cafe before a climb to the plateau and the last 10 km to Lauvåsen and a overnight stay. The lodge at Lauvåsen dates back 300 years and is a lovely place to spend the evening.

  • Lauvåsen to Kvitfjell - 22 km - Ascent 370m - Descent: 600m

    It's quite majical to wake up in the mountains in a remote lodge, and the lodge offers a hearty breakfast. Skiing straight from the door, the trail has a mix of great cross country skiing terrain and passes ancient homesteads and old farms. This snowy landscape has many challenges for those living in the environnment.


    The trail undulates until you reach the frozen lake of Vedalsvatnet. And then passes the rustic hilltop village of Svinslåa before the long rolling descent to reach the Olympic town of Kvitfjell.

  • Kvitfjell to Skeikampen - 25km Ascent - 680m - Descent - 645m

    Retrace yesterda's steps and climb steadily back up to Svinslåa.  You are rewarded with a long, winding descent all the way to the valley, and on to the high Col at Skardbua. This remote spot is the meeting point of several trails and is  true Norwegian wilderness.  Then from here you  head onwards and downwards to Skei with views of the surrounding mountains and across at the trail you have just skied. The village of Skei is overlooked by the Skeikampen mountain, 1123 metres, and is the most southerly point of the route. 

Where to Stay


Espedalen - Dalseter Hotel - One of the oldest settled sites in the area, the hotel has superb views across the lake and the mountains of the Jotunheim National Park


Fefor - Fefor Høifjellshotel - an historic hotel built in 1891 which became the winter residence for King Haakan and his family between 1907-1914, and later owned by the Dutch Queen Wilhelmine. The Fefor Høifjellshotel has kept its rich character offering excellent accommodation and swimming pool.


Lauvåsen - The Lauvåsenn Mountain Lodge dates back to the 1700s, but has modern cottages, and home-made, traditional Norwegian food.


Kvitfjell - The Gudbrandsgard  Hotel was built in the 1990s and extended in 2006. It boasts fabulous views down the valley to the lake below and has a traditional hunting lodge feel.


Skeikampen - The Thon Hotel 

Companies who feature the Peer Gynt trail

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