Highland Cabins, Norwegian Highlands

Norway's awe-inspiring landscapes

One of the high-quality cabins

Fish on the lake or the many streams

Another of the cabins

Canoeing is just one activity on offer

A region of great scenic beauty

Paths invite you to explore

Typical bedroom in a 4-person cabin

• walking & cycling notes provided • host of activities & excursions available • use of heated outdoor pool & tennis courts • car hire included • welcome hamper

An area of outstanding natural beauty, the deeply traditional Gudbrandsdalen Valley lies amid some of the most magnificent scenery in Norway, so lyrically described by Henrik Ibsen in his epic poem about his legendary hero, Peer Gynt. The high-quality Highland Cabins, which occupy an elevated spot with breathtaking lake and mountain views, make a serenely tranquil base from which you can access a wide variety of exciting activities.

Great days out

To learn about the local cheese and hear some colourful stories, visit the Solbrå Farm Museum. It was here that dairymaid Anne Hov made the first Gjetost (‘brown cheese’) in 1863, and there is the chance to sample the famously sweet curd, which tastes like a cross between toffee and cheese!

The Segelstad Farm Museum is devoted to archaeological and historical finds from as early as 1720, all made and used locally.

You can also head north-east to the Rondane National Park, which shelters the last wild reindeer herd in Norway, as well as stoats, hares, wolverines, red foxes, arctic foxes, and lemmings. Within the Park are ten peaks over 2,000 metres gathered around Lake Rondvatnet. The visitor centre boasts a mining museum and an exhibition detailing the time when the nearby glacier withdrew and locals followed reindeer and other animals into the areas newly vacated by the ice. Also within the Park is the Jørundgard Medieval Centre – a reconstructed medieval farm where local handicrafts are demonstrated and children can try medieval recipes, play in the hay barn and participate in various traditional local games.

Though slightly further afield, the Jotunheimen National Park to the west is also within driving distance of Gålå. ‘Jotunheimen’ is literally translated as ‘home of the giants’ as the peaks in the area exceeding 2,000 metres number over 200. As well as its craggy mountains, the Park is characterised by deep lakes. The Norwegian Mountain Museum in Lom provides an insight into the geology, history and local ways of life.

If you don’t fancy driving to the national parks, you can gain wonderful views of their mountains by taking the local chairlift to Valsfjell, 1,148 metres above sea level (Gålå is situated at an altitude of 930 metres).

Walking

For families who enjoy walking, there is a good network of paths leading directly from the village. You can choose from short, local circuits to longer hikes into the surrounding fells. Four routes for which we provide route notes are:
Svintjern Lake (6km): an easy, circular walk in undulating countryside.
Jetningen Lake (8km): another gentle route, this time predominantly in woodland.
Valsfjell Rundt (8km): this is a more moderate walk with ascents and descents.
Gala Round Walk (3km): learn about the local wildlife on this family nature trail.
It is also possible to join guided walks, including a three-hour introductory route.

Other activities

The local Summer Arena offers a fantastic programme of organised activities, such as pony-trekking, canoeing across lakes, white-water rafting on the River Sjoa, mountain biking and fishing in the lake or one of the many cascading streams. Children will love the opportunity to join an elk safari – starting at a local elk farm, the excursion is partly on foot and leads you through farmland and forest as you seek out elk in their natural habitat. You will learn lots about this striking mammal during the tour, and hopefully spot several, too. You can also join an excursion to the Smørstabreen Glacier, in the Jotunheimen National Park, which includes a one-hour crossing of the glacier.

Guests staying at the cabins are welcome to use the heated outdoor pool of the nearby Gålåhøgfjellshotell which is open from 7am to 8pm during the summer and is a 5 to 20-minute walk from your cabin depending on its location. The hotel also has tennis courts which you can use, and there is a football practice area with nets near the local café.

For a spot of culture, travel in early August so that your holiday coincides with Gålå’s annual Peer Gynt festival, a wonderful event during which nightly performances of the story are staged by the lakeshore.

The cabins

You can choose a cabin sleeping four (Fjellgrend Cabins) or a cabin sleeping up to eight (Lid Cabins). All are decorated traditionally with lots of red, green and blue in the furnishings and décor to complement the pinewood interiors. The smaller cabins have two twin or double-bedded bedrooms, a lounge-cum-dining-room and a shower room. The larger cabins boast their own sauna and veranda and comfortably sleep up to eight in four bedrooms (two of which have bunkbeds), with two shower rooms and separate WCs, plus an open-plan living area. Facilities in both types of cabin include satellite television, underfloor heating in the shower room(s), a heated drying cupboard and a well-equipped kitchen corner comprising a fridge, freezer, cooker, microwave (larger cabins only), coffee machine and dishwasher. There are shared laundry facilities on site. The majority of the cabins overlook the lake, with views of the Jotunheimen Mountains beyond, and many are roofed in the traditional way - with turf, an excellent form of insulation from both the cold of winter and the heat of summer.

For eating in, you can buy provisions (including elk sausages!) from the small supermarket nearby, but another option is to dine at the excellent restaurant of the hotel here, where dinner tends to be a self-service buffet, ideal for families (pay locally). Our prices include a welcome pack of essentials, though you can also order additional items in advance (supplement payable).

Prices & travel 2009

We are currently updating our website - please call for 2009 prices.

# Child price applies with two paying adults. If only one adult travelling, first child pays adult price
Heating costs not included
Start: Any day
Nights: 7
Property and hire car includes: 7 days’ category D hire car (e.g. Peugeot 407)
Recommended airport: Oslo Gardemøen
Driving time from airport: 3h30
Book your flights through us and we’ll find the best route, times and price to suit you.

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