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The Peer Gynt Trail from Espedalen to Lillehammer

Skeikampen Resort
Status:
This tour is on request, please contact us for information and booking

Make your way through a landscape of distant horizons, birch tree woodland, Norwegian farmsteads, and frozen lakes. North-west of the Olympic city of Lillehammer is the Peer Gynt Trail, named after a local Norwegian hero, characterized into fiction by author Henrik Ibsen. 
The Peer Gynt trail, 7 days and 80 km, is a groomed ski trail between Espedalen and Skeikampen, in what is known as 'Peer Gynt Country'. The trail is an excellent cross-country alternative for families, who are interested in a bit more challenging, yet still enjoyable, skiing experience. The trail offers groomed and well-marked cross-country tracks.
In clear weather, you will be able to enjoy a continuous view of the breathtaking peaks of the national parks Jotunheimen, Rondane and Dovrefjell along the trip, providing a beautiful and dramatic backdrop to this “friendly” mountain region. If this is your first cross-country ski trip in Norway - be prepared to be blown away.

You stay in good hotels during the tour. Destinations along the trail include Espedalen, Fefor, Gålå, Kvitfjell and Skeikampen - all well-known ski resorts with long traditions in winter tourism and known for being some of the best cross-country skiing terrains in Norway. Kvitfjell hosted the downhill competition during the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.

The trail runs about 700 - 1500 meters above sea level. The daily stages are relatively short and provide opportunities for interesting detours.
While you are out skiing, your luggage is transported to the next accommodation. You only have to bring a small backpack with extra clothes and food.
This is a self-guided tour. Although the trail is marked, you should be familiar with using maps in addition to the tour description.

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Program

  • This is a self-guided tour. This means going on your own and decide your own speed. You can take a break, shortcut or detour whenever you want. The tour includes luggage transfer.

    TOUR DATES 2023: Starts every Sunday from 5 February to 26 March (not week 7 and 9)

    NUMBER OF DAYS: 7, Sunday - Saturday

    DISTANCE: 80 km

    LEVEL: The Peer Gynt Trail is suitable for people with normal good condition and some skiing experience. The tour run in gentle terrain and groomed tracks.

  • Day 1, Sunday: Arrival

    Transfer by train from Oslo Airport to Vinstra.
    Departure 14.29 arrive 17.16 or Departure 16.29, arrive 19.12.
    Hotel transfer from Vinstra to Espedalen.

    Accommodation Dalseter Mountain Hotel

  • Day 2, Monday: Dalseter - Fefor, 18 km

    Average day-trip along the Peer Gynt Road between Espedalen and Fefor.
    In nice weather, it's possible to do a longer trip across mount Ruten (1517 m.a.s.l.) - 22 km.

    Accommodation at Fefor Mountain Hotel

  • Day 3, Tuesday: Fefor - Gålå, 13 km

    Easy day trip along Lake Gålå to the destination Gålå. A long uphill at the end.

    Accommodation at Gålå Hotel

  • Day 4, Wednesday: Day off at Gålå

    Gålå is located in the heart of 'Per Gynt Country', near Jotunheimen National Park. The combination of excellent facilities for alpinists and cross-country skiers makes Gålå a perfect destination for skiers with different wishes and skills.

    At Gålå Alpin Ski Resort you find nice slopes and several ski lifts.

    Gålå has 600 km of fantastic ski trails in varied terrain. The trails are prepared for both skating and classic cross-country skiing,

    Accommodation at Gålå Hotel

  • Day 5, Thursday: Gålå - Kvitfjell, 25 km

    Average day-trip. The trail runs through light birch forests, past summer farms and private huts. Downhill towards the hotel at Kvitfjell ski resort.  

    Accommodation at Kvitfjell Hotel

  • Day 6, Friday: Kvitfjell - Skei, 22 km

    Average day-trip. Today the trip starts with some uphill from Kvitfjell - the same way you came yesterday. In nice weather, you can use the ski lift and ski across the summit of Kvitfjell.
    The track continues in light, and hilly terrain. A long uphill before a final downhill towards Skei.

    Accommodation at Thon Hotel Skeikampen

  • Day 7, Saturday: Departure

    Transfer by Taxi from Skeikampen to Lillehammer. Departure 09:00.
    We recommend  spending a few hours in Lillehammer before continuing to the airport.
    Trains from Lillehammer to Oslo Airport departs every hour.

Departures and prices

Tour dates 2023: Starts every Sunday from 5 February to 26 March (not week 7 and 9)
Number of days: 7 (Sunday - Saturday)
Number of participants: We need a minimum of 4 participants to complete the tour.
 
Price 2023:
Per person in double room: NOK 14 450.- 
Single room supplement: NOK 1 590.-

Book early discount before 1 December: NOK 250.- per adult

The price includes:
6 nights accommodation incl. breakfast, dinner, self-packed lunch and refill thermos
Luggage transfer
Map and tour description (One set per booking. For extra set NOK 250.-)
Transfer from/to Oslo Airport Gardermoen 

Not included:
Travel and cancellation insurance
Alcoholic drinks, soda drinks and snacks
 
Ski rental 2023:
Ski, poles and boots: NOK 750.- + return transport NOK 720.- per booking.
The skis are mainly Fischer Cross Country Wax (needs to be waxed).
Bindings are Rottefella NNN (New Nordic Standard).
 
Extra:
From/to Oslo Central Station: 

NOK 120.- each way.

Extra night before the tour:
NOK 1 500.- per person in double room
NOK 1 650.- per person in a single room
Incl. breakfast, dinner, and self-packed lunch & refill thermos.
 
Extra night after the tour:
NOK 1 300.- per person in double room
NOK 1 550.- per person in a single room
Incl. breakfast, dinner, and self-packed lunch & refill thermos.

Extra transfer to Lillehammer after the tour:
NOK 600.- per person (mimimum 2 person)
 
 

Map