Oppland

Oppland is a county in Norway. This wide landlocked county is home to great lakes, major rivers and the highest mountains in the Nordic countries. Oppland also hosts key overland transport corridors and travel by vehicle or train through Norway usually include Oppland. Hills and long winters offer ample opportunities for winter sports such as cross-country and alpine skiing.

Towns

Sorfronkirke - Sør-Fron Church - a landmark in Gudbrandsdalen valley

• Fagernes 60.9875, 9.226944- regional centre in the Valdres uplands
• Gjøvik 60.783333, 10.683333- the main town on the western shores of lake Mjøsa
• Lillehammer 61.130000, 10.432500- regional centre, junction of Gudbrandsdalen and lake Mjøsa, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics
• Otta 61.770556, 9.541389 - small town at the junction of Otta valley and main valley Gudbrandsdalen

More Destinations

Jotunheimen national park 02 - Jotunheimen range

• Gudbrandsdalen 61.567, 9.928 King among Norway's eastern valleys, stretching from the lowlands at lake Mjøsa to the alpine central highlands.

• Hafjell - winter sport resort, 1994 Olympic venue
• Kvitfjell - downhill slopes, 1994 Olympic venue
• Nordseter - outdoor resort in hills above Lillehammer
• Jotunheimen - Norway's highest mountains, mostly protected as national park
• Valdres - The Valdres Valley is in the heart of Oppland, extending from the higher elevations and ski hiils of Beitostølen, down to the mountainside farms, lakes and forests through Fagernes and to the lower elevations of Bagn. There are numerous stavkirker or stave churches in this area.

Oppland Halal Explorer

ValdresView - View of Valdres Valley from Lomen

Oppland is an landlocked county of Norway, sharing lake Mjøsa with Hedmark county. Together Oppland and Hedmark constitute the wide interior between Oslo and Trondheim. Oppland is characterised by rows of mountains and valleys extending from the ocean accessible lowlands around Oslo up to the high plateaus and mountain peaks of central Norway. This is the highest county in Norway as 50% of the county lies above 1000 m, and 80% is above 600 m.

Lillehammer hosted the 1994 winter olympics. In addition to Lillehammer (skating and ski jumping) venues can be seen at Gjøvik, Hamar (the "Viking ship"), Hafjell and Kvitfjell.

Oppland is made up of two major valley systems: Gudbrandsdalen and Valdres, between these there are forests, highlands and eventually Jotunheimen in the north-west corner. Oppland also includes the fertile lowlands around lake Mjøsa (Toten and Gjøvik) and lake Randsfjorden (including Hadeland neighborhood). Oppland stretches from the outskirts of Oslo to the highest mountains of the interior. Mjøsa is Norway's biggest lake and one of the deepest, Mjøsa stretches for 120 kilometers from Eidsvoll to Lillehammer. Randsfjorden is Norway's fourth largest lake and is a narrow and 80 kilometers long stretch of calm water. Oppland has a number of other fine lakes in the valleys and in the mountains. While the county is landlocked and the north-western corner is only a few kilometers from the saltwater fjord at Geiranger. A trip from Oslo to Geiranger for instance is almost entirely within Oppland.

Oppland has a largely continental climate and includes some of the coldest and driest areas in Norway. Summers are pleasantly mild or warm, while winters are relatively cold. Lillehammer has a January average at -9.1°C, while the northern sections of Gudbrandsdalen can be colder. There is slightly more rain in summer than in winter. The northern corner of Oppland (places like Skjåk in Ottadalen) are among the driest places in Europe. The coast of West Norway gets about 10 times more rain than Skjåk. Skjåk does in fact have far less precipitation than Malaga, and only slightly more than Almeria (the driest city in Europe).

Routes

From the southeast, one can travel from Oslo by auto, bus or train along the highways and track carved in the mountainsides and along the long finger-like lakes and rivers. As you approach the northwest of Oppland and the highlands feature snow capped mountains, even in the summer, and access to downhill and cross country skiing, hiking and even fishing and hunting. The northern Oppland route along highway E6 passes through the major cities of Gjøvik and Lillehammer, site of the memorable 1994 Winter Olympics, and eventually to Trondheim on the western coast of Norway. The quaint town of Lillehammer is certainly worth the effort for the shops and town.

The central route E16 allows the traveler to pass from the fertile fields of Ringerike to the south of Opland, though the mountain side farms of the Valdres valley, passing through Bagn, Aurdal, Fagernes, and east toward Telemark and later the major city of Bergen on the west coast. Valdres offers a beautiful mix of lakes, mountains, and traditional farms. It is anchored with Fagernes at a key intersection of valleys. This is the location of the Valdres Folkmuseum, which contains a collection of farm buildings and history of the area, including food, art, costume, music and dance. One can travel north to Beitostølen for downhill and cross country skiing in the winter. Hiking, Fishing and hunting are also enjoyed, as are local arts and crafts: pottery, tapestries, and rosemaling painting.

Local Language in Oppland

Norwegian is the spoken and written language, and in the northern part their own distinct dialect. English is widely spoken and understood.

Travel to Oppland

Norway Counties Oppland Position.svg|Location of Oppland within Norway

By car

Tabliczka E6.svg|30px Norway's primary street and the E6, runs south-north through Oppland and connects most of Oppland to other parts of Norway. E6 connects Oppland to Trøndelag, Hedmark and Oslo]/Akershus.

• Tabliczka E136.svg|30px Road E136 connects Oppland to Åndalsnes and Ålesund in Møre og Romsdal.

Riksvei 4.svg|18px Road 4 connects Oslo to Hadeland, Gjøvik and Toten on Mjøsa's western shores.

• Tabliczka E16.svg|30px Road E16 runs through western (Valdres) and southern Oppland and the E16 connects Oppland to Sognefjord and Bergen in the west and central Sweden in the east. E16 is also the access road from Oslo and Buskerud to Valdres in western Oppland.

Riksvei 15.svg|22px Road 15 runs from Stryn to Oppland. These are also scenic drives.

• Road 63 (Norway) | Road 63 from Geiranger, a national tourist route, connects to 15 in the upper Otta valley.
• Road 55 from Luster at Sognefjord through Sognefjellet mountain pass, national tourist route
• Road 51 from Gol in Hallingdal, a crossing point between Hallingdal (road 7) and Valdres (road E16)
• Road 27 (commonly called Rondane road) from Folldal and Atna in Hedmark, a crossing point between the Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen valleys, national tourist route Rondane.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Oppland

There are no major airports within Oppland itself.

• Oslo Airport, located 140 kilometers south of Lillehammer. A major international airport with Flights from the USA and major European cities. Northbound trains (to Lillehammer and Oppland) pass through the station in the basement of the airport. The E6 and the main northbound road, is close to the airport.
• The small Fagernes airport serves the Valdres region, few daily flights.
• Airports at Molde and Ålesund are also feasible entry points.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Oppland

[[63a-2770 Stuguflåtbrua 2004 SRS - An old steam train on Rauma line, Now operated by diesel locomotives.

Oppland is served by three lines: the Gjøvik line from Oslo (terminates at Gjøvik) and the main line north to Trondheim runs through, and the Rauma line Åndalsnes-Dombås:

• NSB's regional trains run 1-2 times per hour between Oslo and Lillehammer. They stop at the Oslo airport and in Hamar.
• NSB regional trains go Oslo-Gjøvik, stopping at several places.
• NSB intercity trains go between Oslo and Trondheim, 3-4 times per day. In Oppland and they stop at Lillehammer, Hunderfossen, Ringebu, Vinstra, Otta, Dombås.
• NSB Rauma line from Åndalsnes to Dombås.

Travel on a Bus in Oppland

Express buses mainly traveling on E6 (Oslo-Lillehammer-Trondheim, Oslo-Lillehammer-Skjåk, Oslo-Lillehammer-Måløy, Oslo-Lillehammer-Kristiansund) and E16 (Oslo-Fagernes-Årdal-Sogndal, Lillehammer-Fagernes-Bergen)

• Nor-Way Bussekspress - express buses

}}. Most express buses running through the region are operated by this company. Connections to Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, Nordfjord and Møre

• Valdresekspressen - express coach - ☎ +47 61 36 59 00 +47 61 36 16 00. Route (up to six daily departures): Oslo -Hønefoss -Valdres -Sogn and Oslo -Hønefoss -Valdres -Jotunheimen.

• Øst-Vest Xpressen - express coach - ☎ +47 61 36 59 00 +47 61 36 16 00. Route (one departue per day): Bergen -Voss -Lærdal -Valdres -Land -Lillehammer.

• Gudbrandsdalekspressen - express coach

}}. Route: Oslo -Gardermoen -Lillehammer -Gudbrandsdalen.

• JVB - local buses - ☎ +47 61 36 59 00 +47 61 36 16 00 Opening Hours: 08-16. Connections to Gjøvik, Gol (Norway) | Gol, Lærdal and Gjende.

There are buses into the Jotenheim including the Fjord 1 service along the Sognefjellet to Sognal from Otta and Lom (Norway) | Lom, and buses to Gejnde.

How to get around in Oppland

By car

See also: Driving in Norway, [[E6 through Sweden and Norway]]

Jotunheimen Norway 2013 - Valdresflya (road 51) is a national tourist route

There are vehicle rentals in major cities and airports. Major roads connect Oppland

• to Hedmark/Sweden (E6 + RV25 Hamar-Elverum, E6 + RV29 Hjerkinn-Alvdal)
• to Sør-Trøndelag and Trondheim (E6)
• Møre og Romsdal (E6 + E136 Dombås-[[Åndalsnes -[[Ålesund with connections to Molde),
• Sogn og Fjordane, Bergen and Hordaland (E16)
• Buskerud (road 51 Fagernes-Gol)

Road Valdresflya from Beitostølen to Vågå is classified as a future "Natural Tourist Route" by the national road authorities. Many or most drives in Oppland are scenic.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Oppland

You can use the trains listed in the Get in section.

Travel on a Bus in Oppland

Local buses are handled by Opplandstrafikk (web site in Norwegian only). Route info also on rutebok.no (available in English).

What to see in Oppland

61.49|9.37|width=500|height=600}} Valdres offers a number of examples of stave churches, some dating back 800 years almost to the Viking age. The Slidre Domen (Stone Gothic Church), and stave church at Lomen are two of the many examples of churches from medieval times. There are examples of runic writing and Viking carving in these ancient relics. They are not generally open for tours, however, many of them are staffed by students in the summer months. They will provide tours at designated times, usually for about 20kr (2007 prices).

Stave Kirken in Lomen, Oppland - Lomen stave church in Lomen, Oppland

• Valdresflye - RV51 from Beitostølen to Vågå - Free A drive across Valdresflye provides an endless vista of countless mountains and lakes. Passing its highest point at 1389 m above sea level, it grazes the edge of Jotunheimen National Park. In the adjacent areas Heidal, Sjodalen and Valdres, you’ll find a well-kept countryside that is rich in tradition. Rafting in the Sjoa will get your adrenaline pumping.

• Grønbogen switchback tunnel Dombås 62.115145, 9.088569 Dovre line, Dombås-Hjerkin free Switchback tunnel on the Dovre line at the edge of a canyon. This was the first (of only three) switchback tunnels on Norway's railways. Constructed to overcome the steep hill between Dombås and Dovre plateau.

• Dovrefjell Dombås-Oppdal-Folldal 62.220, 9.553 Road E6 and Dovre (Trondheim) railway, road 29 Opening Hours: 24/7 free Dovrefjell Dovre Snöhetta gryta vesttoppen 2253m midttoppen 2261m IMG 9057 Dovrefjell mountains/plateau and national park.

• Jotunheimen range 61.488, 8.8423 Road 15 to Vågå (then road 51) or Lom (Norway) | Lom (road 55). Also road 257 Sjoa-Heidal Opening Hours: 24/7 free Jotunheimen Knutshøe - Jotunheimen alpine mountains (national park).

• Rondane National Park|Rondane range and national park 61.883333, 9.816667 Road 27 Opening Hours: 24/7 free - Rondane National Park Vinjeronden and Storronden . Rondane mountains was protected in 1962 as Norway's first national park. No road through the park but road 27 along the edge (leave E6 at Frya north of Ringebu), access also from Høvringen at E6 north of Otta.

• Ringebu Stave Church - Ringebu stavkyrkje - South of Ringebu village 61.5090, 10.1732 Leave E6 at sign - 50 NOK (interior) Ringebu stavkyrkje in late autumn sun - One of the few remaining of Norway's once countless stave churches. Built around 1200 AD.

• Sister Churches at Gran - Søsterkirkene - Near Gran village, Hadeland neighborhood 60.366611, 10.5295 - Sister Churches, Norway Sisterchurches - Two Romanesque masonry churches side by side. Built before 1200 AD. The ancient Granavollen stone with runic inscriptions stands in the churchyard: "God help Aufi's soul."

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Oppland

Juvass 2009 - Summer skiing in Jotunheimen.

• Valdres Folkemuseum - Tyinvegen 27, 2900 Fagernes E16 to Fagernes, entrance to northwest of town ☎ +47 61 35 99 00 +47 61 35 99 01 Opening Hours: Summer: Daily 10AM–4PM; offseason until 3PM 60kr adults, 25kr children

• FIS World Cup Cross-Country in Beitostølen - Øystre Slidre Idrettsarrangement AS, Idrettens Hus, 2953 Beitostølen ☎ +47 61 34 09 90
• Cross-country skiing in all mountain areas and close to cities and towns. Popular areas include
• Lillehammer

• Nordseter - GPS: 61.175639, 10.614944 E6 and local road 331, near Lillehammer free Popular cross-country resort and some small ski lifts. Relatively level terrain, forests, lakes and barren plateau.

• Alpine skiing near Lillehammer (Hafjell, Kvitfjell) and Valdres (Beitostølen, Aurdal)

• Hafjell ski resort - Hafjell alpinsenter - Øyer 61.2349, 10.4470 E6 just north of Lillehammer

Hafjell alpine skiing resort was a 1994 olympic venue. Summer activities too

• Kvitfjell Ringebu - GPS: 61.45, 10.12 E6 Gudbrandsdalen - Kvitfjell was the 1994 Olympic downhill venue
• Other alpine skiing
• Grotli

• Bjorli ski resort - Bjorli 62.2642, 8.2118 Dombås-Åndalsnes along E136 or Rauma railway Bjorli ski resort does not have big and very steep hills, but plenty of snow and long season.

• Skeikampen

• Rafting - Heidal, Sjoa - The Sjoa river is famous and often used for rafting - either alone in you kayak, riverboard or on large rafts together with your travel mates or colleagues. Caution: the river is treacherous and should be done only with guide and local knowledge.

• Skibladner - the world's oldest paddle steamer - ☎ +47 6114 4080 | Opening Hours: Late June to mid-August From 180kr adult; children free The steamer is in operation during the summer months on the Mjøsa lake just south of Lillehammer. Voyage between Lillehammer, Moelv, Gjøvik, Hamar and Eidsvoll.

• Bitihorn - ☎ +47 61 36 59 00 Late June to mid-September. The passengerboat from 1912 operate on the lake Bygdin (1058 meters above sea level) nearby Jotunheimen. Voyage between Eidsbugarden-Torfinnsbu-Bygdin.

• Galdhøpiggen sommerski - 61.672556, 8.370778 Road 55 Lom-Skjolden, Galdhøpiggen road from Galde junction to Juvasshytta| phone A Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre Summer ski resort at Galdhøpiggen summit (Norway's highest), in Jotunheimen, open May until Autumn. Season depends on snow conditions.

Stay Safe

Norway is generally a very safe place to visit. Oppland is peaceful countryside and quiet small towns, and at least as safe as anywhere else in Norway. Be careful around waterfalls (slippery rocks and cliffs), do not walk on glaciers on your own. Highlands such as Jotunheimen can occasionally be cool (down to 0°C) even in summer, bring a rucksuck with warm clothes if you go hiking for more than 1 hour.

Travel Next

• Sogn og Fjordane: Sognefjord, Luster, Lærdal, Stryn
• Møre og Romsdal: Åndalsnes and Geiranger
• Trøndelag|Sør-Trøndelag: Oppdal
• Hedmark
• Oslo]
• Buskerud: Hallingdal, Hønefoss

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