Scan Magazine | Hotel of the Month | Norway
Hotel of the Month, Norway
Discover the scenic mountain walks in Høvringen Dating back to 1890, Høvringen Fjellstue is a lodge that has been passed down through four generations, welcoming guests to enjoy the scenic surroundings for mountainous walks and outdoor activities combined with great food and facilities. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Høvringen Fjellstue
With 30 bedrooms spread across the lodge and its three cottages, hosting up to 60 people in total, the Norwegian lodge is currently run by mother and son – the third and fourth generations at Høvringen. It is to date one of the oldest mountain lodges in Rondane, located 1,000 metres above sea level and in close proximity to the first national park in Norway: Rondane National Park. The interiors boast a range of old antiques, which have been passed down through generations and help create a pleasant atmosphere.
Real mountain experience “There are no ski lifts and resorts here in Høvringen,” says Tormod Olstad, who 104 | Issue 108 | January 2018
runs the lodge with his mother. “It’s untouched nature, which makes it a very authentic experience. We are trying to keep within the traditional Gudbrandsdal style as well, because we don’t want to make it a hyper modern city hotel.” Making all the food from scratch on site, there is a variety of fish and meat as well as a buffet a couple of times a week. Tormod is a trained chef, so the food on the premises is very important to him. He explains that they get a mix of Norwegian and international tourists, and that the winter months attract a large number of guests from Scandina-
via, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland and France. Many return year after year. “People come here to enjoy the peace and quiet. It’s a lot calmer than if you were to go to a ski resort with lifts and screaming kids,” says Tormod. “People can simply go out after breakfast and bring a packed lunch, stay outside in nature all day, and then return to the lodge for some baked goods and coffee before joining us for dinner.”
Organised walks Despite the fact that Høvringen does not offer a huge amount of organised activities, at least compared to other places, the lodge still helps people with their walks. “You can go for a full-day trip over the mountain, and then we organise the transport back to the lodge. There are also ski lessons, so people can try out some different things,” says Marit Olstad.