Gudbrandsdalen
Discover Gudbrandsdalen
Gudbrandsdalen is a valley and traditional district in Oppland. This grand, central valley runs for some 250 km from Lillehammer to the uplands and central mountains. Nicknamed "the valley of valleys" because of its size and variety. In addition to the main valley there is a web of tributaries particularly from the west and the central mountains. The valley makes up more than half of Oppland county. Gudbrandsdalen is surrounded by the highest mountains in Scandinavia. The central mountains to the west create a long rain shadow leaving little precipitation for most of the area. Summers are pleasantly warm. The valley hosted major events at the 1994 winter Olympics, alpine skiing venues at Kvitfjell and Hafjell are now popular winter sport resorts. The valley is home to a number of ancient wooden buildings (including stave churches) and other cultural heritage. Overland transport between Oslo and central eastern lowlands to Nordfjord, Trøndelag and Møre og Romsdal runs through the valley.
Taste of Gudbrandsdalen...
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Culture & Religion
Culture
Gudbrandsdalen cuts deep into Norway's wilderness and as the big valley is also home to major rivers, including rivers popular among rafters. Warning: Only skilled rafters should go down rivers on their own. There are numerous obstacles such as power stations, rapids, canyons and waterfalls.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Gudbrandsdalen into what it is today.
Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian playwright, hiked through the valley in 1862 and compiled material for dramas "Peer Gynt" as well as "Brand". During the invasion of Norway in April 1940, some of the heaviest fighting occurred in Gudbrandsdalen around village Kvam. British troops had landed at Åndalsnes to support the Norwegian Army and with plans to recapture Trondheim. In addition to the sea battle at Narvik, this was the first engagement of Allied and German troops during the war (a few weeks later fighting began in France and Be-Ne-Lux). The British troops were not prepared for the task. There is a war memorial at Kvam. The first US casualty in world war II was the US military attache killed during the bombing of Dombås station. There is a war memorial at Dombås. The King, cabinet and Bank of Norway's gold and cash holdings were evacuated through Gudbrandsdalen towards Åndalsnes and Molde amidst heavy fighting in a bold and legendary operation. The king and the cabinet were hiding in Gudbrandsdalen while waiting for safe passage to unoccupied harbors at Åndalsnes and Molde. This was one of the most dramatic and decisive events in the history of modern Norway. British troops were evacuated on May 2. The failed British campaign in Gudbrandsdalen (and Namsos) led to the downfall of Neville Chamberlain as prime minister and Winston Churchill became prime minister....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe Oslo-Lillehammer-Trondheim railway (Dovrebanen) runs along the valley until Dombås where the railway climbs onto the Dovrefjell plateau. The Dombås-Åndalsnes railway (Raumabanen) continues along the northernmost section of the valley (Lesja-Bjorli area). There is no railway in the Otta-Lom-Skjåk valley (Ottadalen). Gudbrandsdalen cuts deep into Norway's wilderness and as the big valley is also home to major rivers, including rivers popular among rafters. Warning: Only skilled rafters should go down rivers on their own. There are numerous obstacles such as power stations, rapids, canyons and waterfalls....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The Oslo-Lillehammer-Trondheim railway (Dovrebanen) runs along the valley until Dombås where the railway climbs onto the Dovrefjell plateau. The Dombås-Åndalsnes railway (Raumabanen) continues along the northernmost section of the valley (Lesja-Bjorli area). There is no railway in the Otta-Lom-Skjåk valley (Ottadalen). Gudbrandsdalen cuts deep into Norway's wilderness and as the big valley is also home to major rivers, including rivers popular among rafters. Warning: Only skilled rafters should go down rivers on their own. There are numerous obstacles such as power stations, rapids, canyons and waterfalls.
Language & Talk
The language is Norwegian with some notable dialect differences, particularly in the northern valley. English is spoken everywhere. The Oslo-Lillehammer-Trondheim railway (Dovrebanen) runs along the valley until Dombås where the railway climbs onto the Dovrefjell plateau. The Dombås-Åndalsnes railway (Raumabanen) continues along the northernmost section of the valley (Lesja-Bjorli area). There is no railway in the Otta-Lom-Skjåk valley (Ottadalen). Gudbrandsdalen cuts deep into Norway's wilderness and as the big valley is also home to major rivers, including rivers popular among rafters. Warning: Only skilled rafters should go down rivers on their own. There are numerous obstacles such as power stations, rapids, canyons and waterfalls.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Gudbrandsdalen
Cabin Window
Viper in the mountains of Horgen.
White Wagtail!
Willow Warbler at Horgen!
Lizard at Horgesætrin!
Wood Sandpiper in Rondane! Grønnstilk!
Bluebells on the roof!
Greenfinch at Horgesætrin!
purple flower fields during daytime
gray mountain ridge
Cabin Window
Viper in the mountains of Horgen.
White Wagtail!