After flying over Norway on my way back from the United States, I promised myself that I would get myself to the mountains asap. Norwegian nature is simply too beautiful to spend all my time in a city. So I asked Eirik and Dalila, aka my only two friends in Trondheim, if there’s a nice place to go camping nearby.
One of the things I love about Norway is that you can camp wherever you want, as long as it’s at least 150 meters from the nearest house or cabin. But do you know what’s even better about Norway? Most families have a cabin or cottage, usually in the mountains or on the seaside, that they go to to escape big city life (I’m saying that with irony, as Norway’s “big cities” are anything but).
And sure enough, the day after casually asking about camping spots I received a message from Eirik saying that his family had invited us to use their mountain cabin, and would Dan and I be interested in renting a car with him and Dalila and driving up for the weekend?
Of course I said no, because how boring does that sound?
Just kidding, mountains foreveeeever!!!!
The cabin was in Einunndalen, which is about a 3-hour drive from Trondheim and on the edge of Rondane National Park, which is Norway’s oldest national park. We broke up the trip by first visiting Hjerkinn, which is where I learned something very special about Norway.
This is my first autumn in Norway, and to be honest, I had had pretty low expectations for the season. Norway is full of evergreen trees, and while I’m no scientist, I was pretty sure that that meant zero fall colors.
I guess it’s a good thing I’m not a scientist, because I was oh so wrong.
Apparently berry bushes, shrubs and even moss change colors in the fall. Who knew?
I also hadn’t known that Hjerkinn is one of the driest places in Norway, or that it’s home to Snøhetta, a super cozy viewpoint.
I would love to visit in the winter when there’s a fire lit, and just sit inside and stare out at the mountains. Eirik told us that sometimes there are even tiny concerts in the Snøhetta!
The only downside to the weekend was that Eirik and Dalila had just gotten engaged and were just so in love. Gross.
And then we drove up to Einunndalen!
I’ve written about my grandmother’s cabin before (both in the winter and in summer), which is one of my favorite places in the world. Her cabin used to be an inn, so it has plenty of room for huge family parties and, aside from the outhouse, has all the amenities of a normal home. Most traditional cabins here, however, are much more simple, and I was pretty excited that Eirik’s family’s cabin was the traditional kind – think no electricity and water fetched from a well.
But I was even more excited by the view from the cabin!
There really is nothing better than a weekend in the mountains.
Where to stay in Hjerkinn, near the Snøhetta viewpoint
If you want to be near Snøhetta, I’d recommend staying at either the Furuhaugli Tourist Cabins or Hjerkinn Fjellstue.
The Furuhaugli cabins are really good value and again, a much more authentically Norwegian experience (I think!) than staying at a big hotel. Check current rates here
Hjerkinn Fjellstue is a little more pricey, but also a bit more luxurious with an on-site sauna and hot tub. Plus it just looks sooo cosy inside! Check current rates here
Where’s the prettiest autumn you’ve seen?
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Lisi Ledbetter says
that cabin! amazing! thank you for showing me this beautiful country, never thought of going there in autumn. been to sweden/finland in summer before (very nice indeed), thought autumn would be a little to crispy but it looks great.
have a lovely day!
Silvia says
I think the crisp temperature suits Norway, plus it’s nice that it’s still not too cold to be in the mountains. You’ll have to visit in the fall someday!
Megan says
ive never found somewhere that compares to autumn in the US, but norway is pretty damn close. i had more trouble finding the autumn foliage i usually seek in bergen, but oslo is ridiculously good for it. i just wish fall lasted longer than like two weeks there!!! it was the best 🙂
Silvia says
Bah I hope it lasts for more than two weeks this year! I didn’t have high hopes for autumn in Trondheim, but color me impressed 🙂
Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki says
So beautiful! I love when the moss changes colors in the autumn. A lot of Icelanders have cabins in the countryside as well. These Scandinavian countries know how to appreciate nature!
Silvia says
Right? These Scandinavians!
Edna says
That light! So gorgeous 🙂
Silvia says
The sunset up at the cabin was just so amazing!
Rebecca says
Wow these pictures are amazing, norway is gorgeous!
Also, SO happy I came across your blog, I love it =]
xoxo
Rebecca
Silvia says
I’m glad you found it too 🙂
Jenia says
Wow gorgeous photos, and i love the little cabin! reminds me of a mixture of USA (for fall foliage) and Russia (for the cabins 🙂
Silvia says
I so want to visit Russia in the summer and go to a cabin there!
Mary says
This is beautiful! I would love to stay in that cabin! I will have to come visit.
Silvia says
Norway is definitely good at the cabins.
Justine says
So beautiful! What I would give for some fresh mountain air right about now. I feel like Phnom Penh has been shrouded in pollution the past couple weeks. I keep thinking where I’d like to go on vacation and somewhere with good air quality is starting to be the top priority. That’s just sad 🙁
Silvia says
Ugh I remember the air pollution woes in Chiang Mai. At least you’re not too far from beach paradise!
Allison says
That landscape is surreal, I hope I can visit Norway in the fall one day!! Though I’m guessing the foliage isn’t the best?
Silvia says
There are a lot of evergreens so it’s not as impressive, but still quite beautiful!
Amanda | Lesson Plans & Layovers says
When I saw the title of this post, I thought there was no way Norway’s autumn could rival the ones we have here in North America – they might not have the trees, but the landscape so beautifully changes colour, it looks absolutely gorgeous there!
Silvia says
I was so blown away by autumn here, which is saying a lot coming from a New Englander!
Ann says
This makes me want to visit in the fall!
Silvia says
Do itttt!
Kelly says
Oh wow, autumn in Norway looks gorgeous! I’ve never really experienced a fall season anywhere outside of the US (except for Central America right now…I laid out and went swimming yesterday and there’s not a changing leaf in sight, so not sure this counts). Everything looks so peaceful and cozy in your pictures!
Silvia says
Norwegians do love to be cozy, haha
Emily says
Ha! You and Dan are adorable. You guys lucked out with this little weekend getaway! So nice to have a friend with such an awesome cabin!
Silvia says
That’s basically why I wanted to make friends in Norway, to use their families cabins, haha.
Miriam says
Oh, you make me miss Norway. I really love Denmark, but it’s so flat with (surprise, surprise) no mountains to climb. I might pay Norway a visit this winter when the snow falls. Really loved your Christmas post from your grandmother’s cabin last year.
Silvia says
Come to Trondheim! Or let’s do a Scandi blogger trip somewhere even prettier, like Lofoten 🙂
Miriam says
I like your thinking. Let’s talk more about Lofoten!
Silvia says
Let’s do it!
Alexandra says
Looks amazing! Great pictures! Love Norway! Great country….visited couple of times. I also have family there. But I never traveled there in autumn. Only summer & winter! Enjoy the the season with the amazing colors!
Silvia says
I had never been here in autumn before either, so it’s pretty exciting. You’ll have to visit your family here in October one year!
becky hutner says
Omg stop it with these colors & crazy unattainable Norwegian beauty! No don’t, keep going. Your Norwegian period is awesome!
Silvia says
It’s like I’m in the beginning stage of a new relationship – can’t stop my attraction to Norway, haha.
Iman says
So unlike most national and state parks in the US you can camp anywhere and not just at the designated camp grounds which look like gypsy towns with all the RVs! That’s pretty cool! 🙂
Cozy cabin and great photos.
Silvia says
Haha exactly!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
I love your grandmother’s cabin just right for fresh air, long walks and beautiful views.
Surprisingly, I have a few friends who are from the Nordic States living right here in Berlin. Every now and then I get invited to spend a couple of days with them in their cabin but as of now, I’ve always been on my way to somewhere else at the time or had just returned.
Maybe we should just get it together once and for all LOL!
Silvia says
You HAVE to take them up on that offer!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
p.s. I love your new blog logo!
Silvia says
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that!
Shing says
So glad you’re in Norway! Whenever I need a fix I just come here, but then I always leave drooling 🙁
Silvia says
Funny, that’s how I feel about your blog!
Ronald says
Thank you for your wonderful photos and information. I will be visiting Norway for the first time next week and plan to read all your information.
Thanks Again,
Ron
Silvia says
I hope you have a wonderful time!