This seven-night guided walking holiday is set in Venabu in central Norway, on the edge of the Rondane National Park, looking down on the Gudbrandsdalen Valley, just north of Lillehammer. The landscape is dramatic and full of contrasts from spectacular gorges and lofty peaks to pretty fells and verdant valleys that extend as far as the eye can see. This is Norway's vast yet beautiful, untouched wilderness at its very best.
Your hosts for the week - assisted by knowledgeable local guide, Joy O'Flanagan - are the Tvete family, who have been looking after guests at the Venabu Fjellhotel for over 50 years. Birgit and Arvid Tvete built the hotel from scratch, choosing the original plot because of its tremendous views. Now run with daughter Line in charge, it has developed into a friendly, relaxing 'home from home' in a fabulous setting. The dining room in particular - which offers traditional Scandinavian cuisine - affords glorious panoramic vistas out across the mountains.
Your guide will run through the week's activities before dinner. Your evening meal is included every night for the week, as are picnic lunches.
Today sets the scene for the rest of the week's walking. After a short transfer, we climb steadily to the summit of Dynjefjellet for superb 360-degree views of the wild yet beautiful Venabygd plateau, with the high peaks of Rondane visible in the distance. Wild reindeer have lived here since the last Ice Age and still roam freely on these untamed lands.
We start off by crossing the pretty Atna river and making our way through pine forest and past amber coloured cloudberries, to Bjornhollia in the heart of the Rondane National Park. At this traditional Norwegian cabin, we enjoy coffee and Frasvafflor - deliciously soft, heart shaped waffles. On our way back to the hotel, there's time to stop off at Sohlbergplassen with its magnificent and famous view of the Rondane peaks.
Today, we follow St Olav's Pilgrim Road above the wide river valley of Gudbrandsdalen. Scandinavian painted farmhouses dot the landscape as we climb to the remains of a 4th to 6th century hillfort, where we learn more about the life of St Olav. We end the day with a visit to one of Norway's last remaining medieval stave churches.
Setting off from Holterseter, savour the contrasting views of the open, lush river valley to the rocky lichen-covered peaks of Venabygdsfjellet. We reach the summer farm set in the pastures below Forbundsfjellet in time for a traditional Norwegian lunch, regaled by stories of local folklore. We return via farmland and meadows to our hotel. This evening after dinner, there is the option to join the moose safari.
We walk past vibrant berry bushes and verdant lichen through the wilderness to the dramatic canyons of the Dora and Mya, created as the glaciers retreated millions of years ago. Admire the pure gushing waterfalls of Dorfallet and Myfallet, whose waters tumble down to the vast mountain plateau below.
We end the week with a fantastic walk to the crystal clear lakes of Finnsjøvola, with far reaching vistas to the Rondane massif and the graceful curves of Atnasjøen lake. We visit the unusual and delightful Sollia church before returning to the hotel for our final dinner.
This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 01606 720199, use our live webchat (we're open until 5pm today) or email sales@headwater.com
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades: West Wing Single Room, West Wing Twin / Double room or West Wing Corner
West Wing rooms are more spacious than the East Wing ones. The West Wing Twin rooms have got Scandinavian beds (single beds with end to end). West Wing Single rooms are effectively West Wing Twin rooms so double for sole occupancy with 2 beds (single beds with end to end). The single supplement is included in the room upgrade supplement for the applicable weeks. West Wing Corner rooms have got double beds.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
The Hotel Cecil is a modern 3 star hotel situated next to the parliament and is in an ideal location for exploring the city centre. All rooms are light and airy with full en-suite facilities. They also come equipped with direct dial telephone, cable television and air-conditioning. Breakfast is buffet style and there is a selection of restaurants within walking distance for your evening meal.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Our aim is to provide holidays that are unbeatable for choice and flexibility. We've listed our most popular travel options below, however you aren't limited to these - we can tailor-make virtually any holiday to suit.
To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 01606 720199, use our live webchat (we're open until 5pm today) or email sales@headwater.com
Air prices include our standard flights/transfers
Out: Scandinavian Airlines Heathrow to Oslo Gardermoen 10:20/13:30 transfer to hotel 3 hours
Return: Transfer to Oslo Aiport 3 hours then Oslo Gardermoen to Heathrow 15:05/16:25.
Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
Alternative Air Travel
Alternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area, and connecting private transfers can be arranged from most UK airports. If you would like to use one of the many 'low cost' airlines, we can book these on your behalf. We can also book UK shuttles to connect with your onward flight, please call for details and prices.
Popular alternative routes for this holiday include:
| From | To | Airline(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Oslo via Amsterdam or Charle de Gaulle | KLM, Air France |
| Birmingham | Oslo via Amserdam | KLM |
| Bristol | Oslo via Amserdam | KLM |
| Edinburgh | Oslo via Frankfurt | Lufthansa |
| Glasgow | Oslo via Amserdam | KLM |
| Leeds Bradford | Oslo via Amserdam | KLM |
| London City | Oslo via Amserdam | KLM |
| London Gatwick | Oslo via Frankfurt | Norwegian |
| Manchester | Oslo direct or via Frankfurt | Scandinavian Airlines, Lufthansa |
| Newcastle | Oslo via Amserdam | KLM |
| Southampton | Oslo via Amserdam | KLM |
Standard transfers
Transfers can be arranged from Oslo Gardermoen airport at 13:30, and back to Oslo Gardermoen airport at 09.15.
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Should you require overnight airport accommodation, airport parking or even a uniformed chauffeur to take your car from your departure terminal and park it for you, we can arrange this for you through Holiday Extras. You can book airport parking, airport hotels and executive lounges directly through their website - or call us on 01606 720199 for further details of all the services on offer. Early booking is recommended to obtain the best availability and prices.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can continue to develop, and where necessary improve, our services and ensure our holidays continue to be the best they can be. However, as this is a relatively new holiday, we don't yet have any customer reviews available.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
Find out about The Headwater Price Promise to ensure you're getting the very best value for money.
This 7 night guided walking holiday includes:
Single-centre accommodation in a hotel
All buffet breakfasts, 6 picnics including filled flasks and buffet evening meals
Management by local hotelier
Services of an experienced walking guide
Complimentary tea and coffee at the hotel
All walk transfers
Group transfer from Oslo airport
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 (we're open until 5pm today) or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Complete our holiday enquiry form - we'll get in touch when it's most convenient for you
Speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 - we're open until 5pm today
Use our live chat to ask us a question
| Departing | Tour only | Including flights |
Prices |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16th Aug 2020 | £2275 | £2625 | Tour only: £2275 Including flights: £2625 |
Check availability |
| Check availability | ||||
| Departing | Tour only | Including flights |
Prices |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Sep 2020 | £2275 | £2625 | Tour only: £2275 Including flights: £2625 |
Check availability |
| Check availability | ||||
The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Singles
Add £56 single supplement
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Guided walking Managed locally by hotelier.
Departures
Selected dates from 16th Aug 2020 to 13th Sep 2020, for 7 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.
Meals
All buffet breakfasts, 6 picnics including filled flasks and buffet evening meals
The above prices include our standard flights/transfers
Out: Scandinavian Airlines Heathrow to Oslo Gardermoen 10:20/13:30 transfer to hotel 3 hours
Return: Transfer to Oslo Aiport 3 hours then Oslo Gardermoen to Heathrow 15:05/16:25.
Alternative Air
Flights can be arranged from most UK airports, with connecting transfers as required, prices and details on request.
Upgraded air travel
Business/club/first class fares on request.
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged from Oslo Gardermoen airport at 13:30, and back to Oslo Gardermoen airport at 09.15.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 (we're open until 5pm today) or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Complete our holiday enquiry form - we'll get in touch when it's most convenient for you
Speak to our sales team on 01606 720199 - we're open until 5pm today
Use our live chat to ask us a question
Please note: The prices and travel options shown are provided for customers based in, and travelling from/to, the UK. We are happy to arrange holidays for non-UK customers however, if you are travelling from USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, we recommend that you contact your local agent as they can provide appropriate transport options and advice.
Due to the tailor-made nature of our holidays, we need a little more information in order for us to check availability for Guided Walking in Venabu. Simply complete the form below (fields marked * are mandatory) and a member of our sales team will contact you (when it's most convenient for you) to provide availability information, travel options and an accurate price. Of course there's no obligation, but if you do wish to proceed with a booking they will be on-hand to assist you throughout the process.
Alternatively, you can call our sales team on 01606 720199 to discuss your requirements in more detail (we're open until 5pm today) or contact us via live chat for help and advice.
