Vollen: History and Winter in Vestre Slidre

Vollen combines a distinctive local history with the wider destination of Vestre Slidre. In winter, Vestre Slidre has an extensive cross-country ski trail network maintained by Vasetløypene; Vaset Skiheiser is located in Vaset. Vollen itself was home to the old assembly site until the mid-16th century.

Historical traces in Vollen

The assembly site was the old meeting place for all of Valdres, so its historical significance extends beyond Vollen. Vollen (Vølle) may also have been a *thingvoll*—a place where people gathered for assemblies. This interpretation is tentative: it describes a possibility, not a confirmed identification.

Another historical trace is Prestevegen. Before Slidre was divided in 1848, priests travelled by horse-drawn carriage along the historic road and over the heights of Volbu to Vollen in Slidre to celebrate Mass. The road is therefore associated with a specific use: clergy travelling to church services, over the heights and by horse-drawn carriage.

Slidredomen is located near Vollen. The stone church dates from the late 12th century and is the largest church in Valdres. This brings together different historical points of reference in the region: the assembly site in Vollen and a significant church nearby.

Winter activities in Vestre Slidre

The extensive cross-country ski trail network in Vestre Slidre is maintained by Vasetløypene. Vaset Skiheiser is located in Vaset, in the municipality of Vestre Slidre; its operations are seasonal. Cross-country skiing and lift-served skiing can thus be seen as distinct winter options, without geographically conflating them with Vollen’s historical significance.

One named cross-country skiing option is the approximately 20-kilometre Gomobu–Synet loop in Vaset. It follows a groomed trail, providing a specific distance for planning your trip. Check the current grooming conditions before setting out. The loop and the extensive trail network offer two different ways to plan: an approximate distance for a specific route and a wide-ranging network across Vestre Slidre.

Landscape and culture in the wider destination

Stølsvidda, in the municipalities of Vestre Slidre and Nord-Aurdal, was recognised as a selected cultural landscape in 2018. The landscape is frequently used as an outdoor recreation area by locals, cabin owners and visitors. Its wetlands and open grazing land have an unusually high density of birds, particularly waterfowl. This adds a distinct landscape and nature experience at the regional level to the winter activities on offer.

Vestre Slidre’s cultural history also extends beyond Vollen. Lomen stave church dates from the 12th century; its carved portal boards feature dragon motifs. Gardbergfeltet is a two-square-kilometre archaeological area in Vestre Slidre, with more than 900 finds dating from the Roman Iron Age to the Viking Age, around 800 AD. Together, these places illustrate different historical perspectives on the region: medieval church architecture and a much older archaeological cultural landscape.

Discover more destinations: Røn

Go to the main travel overview: Vestre Slidre.