Røldal: Downhill Skiing, Ski Touring and Culture

Røldal Ski Centre has 15 downhill runs, with a combined length of 15 kilometres and a vertical drop of 650 metres. The offerings also include skiing off-piste and freeriding. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth considering which kind of skiing you want to shape your stay: downhill skiing, freeriding and ski touring are different options.

Skiing and Touring in Røldal

The upper station at Røldal Ski Centre is a popular starting point for numerous ski tours. These use randonnée or cross-country skis. Ski touring adds another way to spend the winter in Røldal to the information about the downhill runs. Check the latest information about the ski centre before travelling, as published statistics may change when the resort is redeveloped.

The existing Røldal–Grøndalen hiking trail is also used in winter: from January to May, it is suitable for ski touring. The trail starts in the village centre and follows an out-and-back route uphill to a summer mountain pasture. Classified as moderate to challenging, it requires different planning from a walk or a tour of another difficulty level. Conditions on the route may change; check them before setting out.

Local Trails and Hikes

The centre has a well-developed walking and cycling route that can be used year-round. It connects to a lit cross-country ski or running trail and provides access to an activity park. There is a place to eat near the route. This means that, alongside the ski offerings, the local area also has a route for getting around on foot or by bike. Facilities and nearby offerings may change; take current conditions into account when planning.

For a hike with a different character, the Røldal–Austdalen–Bråstøl loop also starts in the village centre. It is designed as a moderate day hike and passes through a historic landscape with a summer mountain pasture and dairy-farming setting. The best time for this hike is from June to October. By comparison, Røldal–Grøndalen is an out-and-back route, rated moderate to challenging, and is also suitable for ski touring from January to May. The different route types, difficulty levels and seasons help you choose plans to suit the time of year.

Church, Museum and Village Stories

Røldal Stave Church is in the village centre and was built between 1200 and 1250. It is particularly well known as a place of pilgrimage. Those interested in local history can visit the Røldal Rural Museum at Hauge Farm, which has four buildings: the main building, the barn, the smokehouse or bakehouse, and Rabbastova, considered the oldest farm building in Røldal. The exhibitions showcase typical architecture, furnishings and tools from the respective period. The museum's opening arrangements vary by season; check them before visiting.

The Village Loop passes through the village centre and connects small stories, art, architecture, nature and cultural history along the route. The accompanying puzzle is available, among other places, at the Røldal Tourist Information Office, Hordatun Hotel, Seim Camping and Skysstasjonen. This lets you combine the route with a look at different aspects of the village instead of visiting just one attraction.

More Things to Do Nearby

Angling is possible in Røldalsvatnet. Good places to fish from the shore are at the canal outlet by the power station, about one kilometre south of the village centre. Check the applicable regulations and licences before fishing. Also nearby is an approximately ten-kilometre-long construction or service road from the power station at Røldalsvatnet to the dam in Blåbergdalen, which can be cycled. The surface and access may vary and should be checked before setting out.

For the wider travel overview: Odda.