Norwegian Mountains, Oppland/Hedmark

Rondslottet, 2178m (Rondeslottet)
Vinjeronden, 2044m
Storronden, 2138m

 

Rondane in spring
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Introduction

Along with Jotunheimen, Sognefjellet, Breheimen and Dovrefjell, Rondane is a mountain region that has peaks exceeding (the magic) 2000m elevation. Rondane has 9-10 (depending on how you count) 2000m peaks, located in three different areas within the Rondane National Park.

On the west side of the region, you find the Smiubelgen group which includes Trolltinden (2018m), Storsmeden (2016m), Veslesmeden (2015m). This is the most rugged of the three areas. The northern group includes Høgronden (2117m), Digerronden (2016m) and Midtronden (2060m). Midtronden also has a spur (2042m), which many count as the 10th Rondane 2000m peak. The 3rd group is found east of Smiubelgen and includes Rondslottet (2178m), Storronden (2138m) and Vinjeronden (2044m).

The most popular starting point for hiking in Rondane is Spranget (1085m), approx. 17,9km from Otta. Per 2009, it was possible to rent a bike at Spranget. You return the bike at the Rondvassbu hut (1175m) - owned by DNT (the Norwegian mountain touring association). The price is (per 2009) NOK 100,- each way. The alternative is to walk the 6,3km distance between Spranget and Rondvassbu.

There are several other trailheads to choose between. If you're interested in hiking from hut to hut, check out DNT's Rondane pages. The prime season for hiking in Rondane is the autumn.

Rondvassbu
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Municipalities/Counties

Storronden and Vinjeronden
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Primary factor:

Rondslottet (Norge 1:50,000: 2178m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 544709 6864998) has a primary factor of 1229m towards the higher parent Snøhetta (2258m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 511344 6887208) is found on Langmyre, west of Fokstugumyrin. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 945-950m. Lake 948,5m drains (Langmyrbekken) to the northeast - towards Horrtjønnin (945m,5). As such, it is logical to define the saddle point to 949m.

GPS measurement read 2182m (on the cairn, ~2,5m high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 3m)

Vinjeronden (Norge 1:50,000: 2044m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 544601 6863744) has a primary factor of 100m towards the higher parent Rondslottet. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 544608 6864079) is found in the saddle between these two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1940-1960m. Normal interpolation would give 1950m, but the GPS tracks (both ways) showed 1932m and 1942m. The saddle has been set to 1944m.

GPS measurement read 2044m (on the cairn, 1m high), averaged over a 3-minute period (error margin +/- 4m).

Storronden (Norge 1:50,000: 848m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 301192 6863143) has a primary factor of 388m towards the higher parent Rondslottet. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 544939 6863170) is found in the saddle between Storronden and Vinjeronden. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1740-1760m, interpolated to 1750m.

Storronden
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Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Rondvassbu - Vinjeronden - Rondslottet (summer/autumn) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 6,3km Spranget - Rondvassbu Approx. 7km Rondvassbu - Rondslottet (2D distance) Time : Approx. 3-3,5 hours Rondvassbu - Rondslottet Starting Elev.: Approx. 1085m (Spranget), 1175m (Rondvassbu) Vertical Gain : Approx. 1400m (total) from Spranget

Map of the area (No Javascript) Detailed map (No Javascript)

This route description is valid per September 2009

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest bigger village is Otta. 800m south of the E6/RV15 junction, turn left onto the road to Mysuseter (signposted). Follow this road 13,2km to the Spranget/Vålåsjøsæter junction. Turn left and drive 300m to the Tjønnbakkvegen toll station. The fee is NOK 15,- for passenger cars. You pay on the automat, which also accepts credit cards. Drive 3,8km up to the parking at Spranget.

At Spranget, you can rent a bicycle by calling Rondvassbu. The phone number is found on a signpost next to the bicycles. You receive a code to unlock the bike and you pay the fee (NOK 100,- one way) at Rondvassbu.

The route

The routes from Rondvassbu
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Whether you walk or ride a bike - follow the road 6,3km from Spranget to Rondvassbu. The view towards Rondane is great! From Rondvassbu, follow a well-worn and signposted trail up the steep hillside above the hut. After 1,3km, the trail forks at 1440m elevation. If your goal is Storronden - turn right and follow the trail all the way to the top.

Turn left for Rondslottet. Descend into Rondholet and head up the valley. Your last chance for a water refill is at 1480m. The trail now climbs up to the Vinjeronden - Storronden saddle and follows Vinjeronden's southeast ridge to its summit (marked by a medium-sized cairn).

Continue directly north and descend (steeply) to the Vinjeronden - Rondslottet saddle. Proceed up Rondslottet's south ridge, which is steep in the beginning. After a flat section, the trail climbs up the final 100 vertical meters to to the summit - marked by a tall cairn.

Descend your ascent route. Back at the Vinjeronden - Storronden saddle, you have the option to continue straight up to Storronden. This is a strenuous (almost 400 vertical meters) off-trail boulder route. From Storronden follow the normal route back to Rondvassbu.

Note: The route from the Vinjeronden - Storronden saddle to Rondslottet is quite rocky, and if you plan to bring a dog, it may find sections of this route quite cumbersome. 

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Rondslottet from Rondvassbu, Sep 12 2009
• Storronden from Rondvassbu, Aug 1998 (no pictures)
• Rondane peaks seen from other mountains

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