Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7
Lillehammer & the
Peer Gynt Road
L
ying to the east of the western fjord
district, eastern central Norway is the
virtual playground of Scandinavia,
embracing the greatest national parks,
the fabled ski resort at Lillehammer,
and some of the nation's most
panoramic scenery. At times it may
seem remote and distant, but much of
it is within an easy 1- or 2-hour drive
to the immediate south of Oslo.
This chapter will guide you on a
journey to some of Norway's highest
mountain peaks, which are a hiker's
paradise in summer and an outdoor
ski area in winter. In addition to its
many resorts, this section of Norway is
also filled with hidden gems such as
the town of Røros, a former copper-
mining site that is now preserved as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Who knows? When touring the
area, you might even meet up with the
rare musk ox. But keep your distance
and admire him from afar. If threat-
ened, the shaggy creature can come
charging at the rate of 60kmph (37
mph).
1 Hamar: Gateway to Lake Mjøsa
134km (83 miles) N of Oslo; 58km (36 miles) SE of Lillehammer
Located on the large and scenic Lake Mjøsa, Hamar is the capital of Hedmark
County and one of Lillehammer's rivals for the winter-sports enthusiast. It
makes a good stopover en route from Oslo to Lillehammer, but also has many
attractions in its own right if you'd like to base yourself here and drive up to the
more crowded Lillehammer.
In the Middle Ages, Hamar was the seat of a bishopric, and some ecclesiasti-
cal ruins remain from those glory days. Hamar was also the home of Kirsten
Flagstad, one of the world's most famous operatic sopranos back in the days
when “soprano” suggested something other than a hit TV show.
Hamar's Viking ship-shaped ice-skating hall was the site of skating events
during the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Hamar is a good center not because of its great architecture (it doesn't have
any) but because of its natural setting. Its most charming assets are its marinas
and waterside cafes, which, at least in summer, capture some of the charm
of Norway. If you want to see old Norway, explore the ruins at the Hed-
marksmuseet (p. 185).
More alluring than the rather dull modern buildings of Hamar itself is the
surrounding fertile farmland, riddled with forests and pastures. In such a bucolic
setting, it is easy to understand why many Oslovians build summer homes here
and use Lake Mjøsa as their playground during the few short weeks of sun they
have. Many towns, such as Hamar, are used as mere refueling stops for visits to
the nearby national parks and lakes.
