Hiking and walking
Along the Peer Gynt trail there are many opportunities for short to long hikes, if you do not want to try the whole hike, which is 90 km.
The Peer Gynt Trail
The easily accessible nature in Peer Gynt's Kingdom invites active use, and has a wealth of well-marked hiking trails in varied terrain. Many of the trails go in high mountain terrain and have views of Jotunheimen, Rondane and Huldreheimen, while other trails go in forest terrain with birch, spruce or pine. The area has a rich and exciting flora and fauna, and many good fishing lakes. The destinations are linked by the Peer Gynt Trail, which provides good opportunities to walk from place to place through Peer Gynt's Kingdom.
The Peer Gynt Trail goes through the mountain terrain on the west side of Gudbrandsdalen in Peer Gynt's Kingdom, which makes up the eastern part of Huldreheimen.
The model for Ibsen's Peer Gynt was a real person who has lived in the Sødorp village near Vinstra. He has given his name to this mountain area that stretches from Gausdal and Skeikampen in the south and Skåbu and Espedalen in the north and west. Through this beautiful and varied mountain terrain runs the approximately 90 km long Peer Gynt trail that along the way passes many hotels and mountain lodges, making accommodation and dining easy.
In winter, the Peer Gynt trail runs through the same area.
Starting points
The Peer Gynt Trail can be walked in both directions, and it is possible to start the hike anywhere along the way and to walk parts of the trail. In Kvitfjell, the Peer Gynt trail goes out from the parking area on the west side of Gudbrandsgard hotel. Towards Skardbua and Skeikampen, follow the service road in the ski resort southwest up the hill and then on the path on the east side of Kvitfjellet itself. Towards Vendalen and Fagerhøi, the path follows the ski trail northwest and up the hill towards Hestknappen.
Terrain
The mountain area in Peer Gynt's Kingdom is a great hiking terrain. Most of the time the route goes at an altitude of 900 - 1,000 meters, but the Peer Gynt Trail also goes all the way up to 1,500 meters above sea level. On large parts of the route there is a nice view of Rondane and Jotunheimen. The terrain is varying in high mountain terrain, mainly with a mixture of bare mountains and high mountain birch forests. The route mostly follows good paths and farm roads and has no very demanding or airy passages. However, good footwear (hiking boots or similar) is recommended, and clothing that can withstand both wind and a rain shower.
Signage
The trail is marked with DNT's red T's and signposted at all main intersections with the text Peer Gynt trail and current place names. In addition, small arrow signs with a wanderer symbol have been used, where there may otherwise be doubt about the direction. Where the path is clear and easy to follow, there can be up to 100 m between the cairns/paint marks. Where there is less clear path, there may be marks as dense as 5 - 10m.
Map
Maps should be used on the trip. Here we recommend the Peer Gynts Rike hiking map. (Order no. 2563 from Ugland IT). On this map, the Peer Gynt trail is drawn.
On UT.no you can see other hiking suggestions in the surrounding area.
