With only a few hundred residents, the village of Beitostølen has a friendly community feel that makes it irresistible to many vacationers, especially those traveling as a family. Come here in winter to enjoy the Beitostølen Ski Resort. In summer, hike the surrounding countryside, which is filled with mountains, rivers, forests and lakes.
Beitostølen is located at an altitude of 2,953 feet (900 meters) and is right on the doorstep of the Jotunheimen mountain range, making it ideally placed for wintersports. The skiing season is long here, running on until May. Go for the obvious option and take to the slopes on skis or try out a huge range of other winter activities, including tobogganing, dog-sledding, sleigh rides, ice fishing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and more.
Come in summer for the opportunity to explore Jotunheimen National Park, the protected area that includes the mountain range, on foot instead of on skis or snowshoes. Walk trails that lead up some of the tallest mountains on the continent. These include Galdhøpiggen, which is 8,100 feet (2,469 meters) high, and the slightly smaller Glittertind. The most popular route in the park is the Besseggen trail. Walk it in 6 to 8 hours and see some breathtaking views of Gjendevannet, a green glacial lake, and Bessvatnet, which is a contrasting blue color.
The natural delights in Beitostølen are certainly impressive, but it is worth taking the time to visit some of the manmade attractions in the area too. Hegge Stavkirke is a fine example of a traditional stave church, dating back hundreds of years. Relax after your guided tour of it by paying a visit to the Beitostølen cheese factory and microbrewery, the perfect place to reward yourself for the efforts of a day spent hiking and sightseeing.
Get to Beitostølen by flying into Oslo and then driving. The car journey will take around 3 hours and 40 minutes if you drive without a break but be prepared to stop frequently to take photos of the wonderful views along the way.
