Høvringen

• Pronunciation guide: Huv-vringen

HØVRINGEN translates from the Norwegian as the hoof-ring or horseshoe. The name derives from the ring of hills that almost encircles the little settlement. Two stubby peaks at about 1150m form the prongs of the horseshoe and from them the hills rise in stages, finally reaching over 1900m on the high sculpted ridges of the main Rondane massif.

Lying at about 950m, and only 8km from the Gudbrandsdal valley, Høvringen comprises just half a dozen family-run hotels, a scattering of cabins, a ski hire facility and a single shop. Although there is no downhill skiing (or perhaps because of that) the place is a popular choice among winter visitors from other parts of Scandinavia and from Europe. They come for the well-prepared loipe that thread through sheltered forests and wind extensively over the open fells, and they come also for the relaxed feel of the place - all the hotels are small and have an authentic untouristy ambience, and the local people pride themselves as being keepers of the traditions of old Gudbrandsdalen.

See Øigardseter Fjellstue for accommodation in Høvringen

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Altitude:  950m

XC tracks:  About 100km
There are no floodlit tracks.
No skating tracks are prepared on a regular basis but occasionally the loipe to Smuksjøseter and Putten Seter are cut for skating.

Downhill pistes
None locally, though a regular bus links Høvringen to the downhill centre at Dombås, a journey of about 30 minutes.

Pausing
There is a cafe at Putten Seter and you can eat your lunch, if you buy a drink, at Smuksjøseter Fjellstue. Both places are on the loipe but are also well placed for off-track routes. There are also cafes at Peer Gynt Hut, a fine old place in a wonderfully wild location, and at Dovrehytta, but they usually open only in February and at Easter.

Local transport
Public buses run between Høvringen and Otta, about 20km away. For much of the season there is a twice-weekly afternoon bus back from Mysuseter for skiers tackling the first stage of the Troll Loipe (you book and pay locally: about NOK 100). Our hotelier has a snow-cat (“The Weasel”) in which our groups sometimes ride a few kilometres in the morning, to extend the range of skiing. You pay locally for this, about NOK 50 per journey.