Hugging the eastern bank of the Glomma River, Alvdal is a small town in the picturesque Østerdalen valley. It’s renowned for its museum dedicated to the life and work of Kjell Aukrust, a celebrated author, artist and humorist who was born here.
Things to do in Alvdal
Don’t miss a visit to the Huset Aukrust. Built from slate and natural stone, it showcases the writings, drawings and paintings of one of Alvdal’s most famous residents, Kjell Aukrust, as well as some of his imaginative devices. You can get up close to “Il Tempo Gigante”, a car featured in the 1975 animation film “Flåklypa Grand Prix”, then try your hand at making chocolate in Reodor Felgen’s workshop.
A short walk north of the town centre is Husantunet, one of the best-preserved open-air village museums in Norway. It’s home to 17 turf-roofed houses dating from the 18th century and can be explored with the help of an audio guide. Learn about the traditional architecture and mountain farming techniques of Alvdal, as well as some of the town’s local superstitions.
Drive in the other direction and you’ll arrive at Jutulhogget, a 2.4-kilometre-long canyon formed during the last Ice Age by the rupturing dam of a proglacial lake. You can soak up the elevated views across the immense canyon from its edge or follow the precipitous path that descends to its base.
Getting around Alvdal
Alvdal is just under three hours’ drive from Trondheim and four hours from Oslo. Trains connect to Hamar, Trondheim and Røros from the Alvdal railway station while buses travel to surrounding towns and villages. The centre of Alvdal is compact enough to explore on foot.