Viewpoint Snøhetta at Dovrefjell – Stunning Lookout near Dombås

You might not immediately associate Dovrefjell and Snøhetta with the fjords of Western Norway. But if you’re driving through Dombås from Oslo or Trondheim toward Romsdalen, it’s a short detour to the spectacular viewpoint Snøhetta at Dovrefjell. Dovrefjell and Snøhetta are among Norway’s iconic natural symbols and well worth the visit. Map: Dovrefjell – Snøhetta 1:50000.

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Viewpoint Snøhetta at Dovrefjell was designed by the architects at Snøhetta. From Viewpoint Snøhetta you have a fantastic view towards the mountain Snøhetta and the wonderful mountain landscape that you are now in the middle of.

Season and important safety information

SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY: Follow the Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. Conditions can change from summer and sunshine to winter and frost within minutes. Always be prepared for rapidly changing weather.

Read about your personal responsibility and how to stay safe in Norwegian nature.

BEFORE YOU GO: Weather and conditions are crucial. Always take this into account before setting out. Avoid the hike in bad weather, fog, thunderstorms, snow or icy conditions. Bring appropriate clothing, good hiking shoes, a map and compass, and enough food and water. Always check the weather forecast before you go.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate. This is a general assessment based on distance, terrain, elevation gain and exposure.

DURATION: 2–3 hours.

ELEVATION: This hike starts at approx. 1100 masl (Parking place for Viewpoint Snøhetta at Hjerkinn, north-east of Hjerkinn Station). Highest point at approx. 1220 masl (Viewpoint Snøhetta at Tverrfjellet). The hike goes along a well-made gravel road.

SEASON: Mid June to Mid September. These are approximate months and depend on weather, temperature and snow conditions in the mountains. Viewpoint Snøhetta opens when the snow disappears at Dovrefjell in the spring and closes when the snow returns at Dovrefjell in the autumn. See the website of Visitor Centre Wild Reindeer at Hjerkinn Station for more information about the season, about the hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta and generally about Dovrefjell.

SUITABILITY: The hike goes along a well-made gravel road.

NAVIGATION: We recommend always bringing a map and compass in case of fog.

MOBILE COVERAGE: Mobile coverage is often limited or unstable on many of the hikes described on this website, and in some areas there is no mobile coverage at all. It is recommended to bring an extra power bank for your mobile phone.

LIVESTOCK ON GRAZING LAND: Keep a safe distance from grazing animals, avoid sudden movements and close gates behind you. Dogs must be kept on a leash as required by regulations for much of the year. Read more about how to behave around animals and nature in Norway.

OFFICIAL TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Descriptions on fjords.com may be incomplete or contain errors. Always check updated information from official sources before you go. Many hikes in Norway can be found on UT.no, which provides maps and elevation profiles. Here is a trail description of Viewpoint Snøhetta on UT.no. Read also about Viewpoint Snøhetta on the website of Visitor Centre Wild Reindeer at Hjerkinn Station.

The hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta and the Viewpoint Snøhetta

At the car park of Viewpoint Snøhetta there are information signs about Dovrefjell in addition to a sanitary building with toilets and sinks with access to water.
At the car park of Viewpoint Snøhetta there are information signs about Dovrefjell in addition to a sanitary building with toilets and sinks with access to water.

There is an exit from the main road at Hjerkinn to the car park where the hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta starts. Hjerkinn is located approximately 30 kilometers north-east of Dombås, at the top of the mountain pass over Dovrefjell, between Dombås and Oppdal.

Follow the signs to Viewpoint Snøhetta at Tverrfjellet, there is approximately 1.5 kilometer of gravel road (automatic toll road) from where you turn off from the main road up to the car park. At the car park there are information signs about Dovrefjell, as well as a great sanitary building with toilets and sinks with access to water.

This bridge is at the very start of the hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta. From here you can see almost the entire trail to the viewpoint.
This bridge is at the very start of the hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta. From here you can see almost the entire trail to the viewpoint.

Since Viewpoint Snøhetta and the trail are located in a landscape protected area, it is not permitted to spend the night in a motorhome, caravan or tent. It is also not legal to cycle up to the viewpoint.

The hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta starts from the car park and goes along a well-developed gravel road. The hike is about 1.5 kilometers long and has an ascent of about 120 metres.

Note that it can change from summer and sunny weather to winter and frost in minutes! Always check the Weather Forecast before you go hiking.

Viewpoint Snøhetta at Tverrfjellet at Dovrefjell.
Viewpoint Snøhetta at Tverrfjellet at Dovrefjell.

At the car park and along the gravel road (trail), there are information signs where you can read more about the nature at Dovrefjell, about the mining activities that were conducted there and about the Norwegian Armed Forces´ firing range, which has now been closed and is to be returned back to nature.

From Viewpoint Snøhetta (1220 masl) there is a fantastic view towards the mountain Snøhetta and Dovrefjell. Here you can also look down to the mountain plateau that was formerly a firing range for the Norwegian Armed Forces. This area is now protected and is part of the largest nature restoration in Norwegian history.

Viewpoint Snøhetta is open 24/7 in the period from when the trail and the viewpoint opens in June until it closes sometime in October.

From inside Viewpoint Snøhetta you have a great view of Dovrefjell and the surrounding mountains.
From inside Viewpoint Snøhetta you have a great view of Dovrefjell and the surrounding mountains.

The building at Viewpoint Snøhetta opens when the snow disappears at Dovrefjell in the spring and closes when the snow returns at Dovrefjell in the autumn, usually in the period between June and September.

So here you can enter the spectacular building to warm up and to see the fantastic panoramic view out through the glass wall that covers the entire building in the direction of the mountain Snøhetta and down to the abandoned shooting range.

When we visited Viewpoint Snøhetta, the weather and the view were not optimal. That means we will be making the trip again to take new photos. Hopefully there will be beautiful autumn colours, sun from a clear sky and snow on the mountain tops next time we hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta 🙂

The trail to Viewpoint Snøhetta – Stone slabs with inscription

Stone slab on the trail to Viewpoint Snøhetta. Viewpoint Snøhetta in the background.
Stone slab on the trail to Viewpoint Snøhetta. Viewpoint Snøhetta in the background.

Along the gravel road, there are stone slabs which is embedded in the gravel, on which information about Norway and Dovrefjell, from the Ice Age 8,000 BC to present, has been engraved. Here you can gain new knowledge about our country while hiking in the beautiful high mountain scenery.

On all of the stone slabs, in addition to the inscription, there is a timeline on the left side. The timeline runs from 8,000 years before Christ to present.

The trail along the gravel road is about 1.5 kilometers long from start to end, and has an ascent of about 120 metres. On that stretch there are approximately 20 stone slabs with information.

Below you can see pictures of the stone slabs with inscriptions. Press “i” on the pictures to read what is written on the different stone slabs, with original text and with a translation into English.

Hjerkinn and Dovrefjell – Adventures and Activities

This musk ox of iron was the closest we got to a real musk ox this time.
This musk ox of iron was the closest we got to a real musk ox this time.

Hjerkinn is a great starting point for adventures and activities in the beautiful and wild nature in the high mountains. This is right in the heart of Dovrefjell and Sunndalsfjella National Park, and on the website of the national park you can read more about what you can see and do in this beautiful area.

Visitor Centre Wild Reindeer at Hjerkinn, and Viewpoint Snøhetta by Hjerkinn. You can take a bus from Hjerkinn to the DNT-Cabin Snøheim. The Snøheim Cabin is a great starting point for those who want to hike to the mountain Snøhetta (2286 masl) and to the other mountain peaks in this beautiful mountain massif.

The musk ox trail was opened in 2007 and is a trail network where you can choose hikes of different lengths. Here, the chances are high that you will see those musk oxes. Remember that you must never approach the musk oxes if you see them. Keep a good distance, at least 200 meters, if you see musk oxes. The musk oxes can attack if they feel threatened, so we recommend you to join an organized musk ox safari with a guide if you want to see these mighty animals.

From inside Viewpoint Snøhetta you have a great view of Dovrefjell and the surrounding mountains.
From inside Viewpoint Snøhetta you have a great view of Dovrefjell and the surrounding mountains.

Experience the National Park Road (Norwegian text only), which is a great hiking and cycling road over Dovrefjell. Dovrefjell is also a fantastic area for horse riding. Here you can experience the high mountain area from the horseback. Hjerkinn Fjellstue og Fjellridning and Kvistli Iceland Horses arrange guided tours with horses at Dovrefjell.

With Snøhetta Husky you can experience guided tours on Dovrefjell from a dog sledge.

Walk along Gudbrandsdalsleden, which is the pilgrimage route between Oslo and Trondheim which, among other things, goes over Dovrefjell. Gudbrandsdalsleden was the main road from Oslo to Nidaros in Trondheim in the Middle Ages.

Visit the abandoned Folldal Mines in Folldal, which are 70 buildings in addition to mines, slag heaps and tips. Here you can see great exhibitions, go on a mining trip and experience the abandoned mining community up close.

Romsdalsfjord – What to See and Do

From snowy mountains to beautiful coastline of islands and reefs. Experience all this in one day due to the short distance from mountains to coast. Trollstigen, Trollveggen and Rampestreken are great places to visit in the inner part of the Romsdalsfjord, where the fjord meets the spectacular and alpine Romsdal mountains. The Romsdalsfjord is located in the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Western Norway.

Visit NorthWest

Visit NorthWest is the official destination company for Møre og Romsdal, a region known for its spectacular fjords, mountains, coastal scenery and dramatic landscapes, including the Geirangerfjord, Hjørundfjord and the Romsdalsfjord area.

Panoramic image from the inside of Viewpoint Snøhetta at Dovrefjell.
Panoramic image from the inside of Viewpoint Snøhetta at Dovrefjell.

Hotels and Accommodation in Nord-Gudbrandsdalen

Overview Hotels in Nord-Gudbrandsdalen
Overview Camping and Caravans in Nord-Gudbrandsdalen
Overview Mountain Lodges and Huts in Nord-Gudbrandsdalen
Overview Cabins in Nord-Gudbrandsdalen
Overview Exotic Accommodation in Nord-Gudbrandsdalen

References

Dovrefjell – Sunndalsfjella National Park
Nasjonalparkriket – Viewpoint Snøhetta
Visitor Centre Wild Reindeer – Besøkssenter Villrein
Ut.no – Hike to Viewpoint Snøhetta (Norwegian Text only)

 

Here you will find an overview of recommended hotels and accommodations in Western Norway – FJORDS HOTELS, FJORD SPA and FJORDS LIVING. You will also find an overview of MICHELIN KEY HOTELS in Western Norway – hotels recommended by Michelin.

There are 13 restaurants that have awarded Michelin Stars and Michelin Guide’s Point Of View in Western Norway. Seven of the Michelin restaurants are located in Stavanger, five in Bergen, and one in Bekkjarvik on the coast near the Hardangerfjord. Here you will find an overview of MICHELIN RESTAURANTS in Western Norway.

USEFUL LINKS is an overview of websites with useful information about Norway and the fjords.

Viewpoint Snøhetta – Map Overview