Ringebu

The municipality Ringebu in the county of Oppland, Norway, has 4,644 inhabitants as of 2003. Ranges 1250 km². Elevation of center 182 meters above sea level.

Ringebu lies in the middle of the Gudbrandsdal valley with a unique access to outdoor activities both summer and winter. Easy access along the E6 highway, halfway between Oslo and Trondheim, and good public transport by bus and train.

There are two mountain passes into Østerdalen, Rondevegen RV27 and Friisvegen (summer only). Fifty per cent of the land in Ringebu's boundaries lies over 900m and is one of the most snow-sure areas in Norway. To the east of the valley lies the mountain plateau area called Venabygdsfjellet along the RV27 road. Further south are Øksendalen and Fåvang Øsfjell. Venabygdsfjell offers easy access to Norway's first national park, Rondane. Fantastic terrain for both walking and skiing with plenty of marked walking trails and 120kms of prepared cross-country ski tracks. Venabygdsfjell is also the prime tourist district in Ringebu with over 1000 private holiday homes and a range of high standard hotels and other accommodation offering a range of activities.

Along the Friisvegen road, you'll find Friisvegen turistsenter, Måsåplassen, and the Øksendal mountains. Good views from the road and also a former hunting cabin, Friisbua, from 1878. Friisvegen also offers access to the valley of Imsdalen with a rich wildlife. Imsdal is also known for its bottled spring water.

All the mountain areas in Ringebu offer good opportunities for walking, fishing and cycling and there are several summer farms still in use. To the west of the valley lies Kvitjfell, best known as the downhill run for the Lillehammer olympics in 1994, but now offering a wide variety of ski runs for all levels.

There is also a network of cross country trails and in the summer marked footpaths. In the valley you'll also find Kvitfjell Golf. A 5869m long 18-hole golf course, opened in 2001. In the Kvitfjell area there is a variety of accommodation for all budgets and a good activity program. There are also several camping sites in Ringebu, mostly along the valley side. In Fåvang you can also stay in the cabins at Tromsnes Gard. The two town centres of Fåvang and Ringebu are also to be found in the valley. There are plenty of interesting shops to be found as you wander around these small, pleasant centres The mountain areas in Ringebu, especially Venabygdsfjellet, offer a wide variety of possibilities for mountain walking, fishing, horse-riding and cycling.

In the summer we also have several attraction that are definitely worth a visit. Maybe call in at Ringebu Stave Church, dating from the 13th Century. Guiding is available all summer. Also worth a visit is the gallery at the former Ringebu vicarage. Housed in a listed building it offers a permanent collection by Jacob Weidemann and changing summer exhibitions.