Røros travel guide
Timber houses, slag heaps and more than 300 years of mining history. Røros is the World Heritage town where time stands still, summer and winter.
Røros: the mining town where time stands still
In the middle of Trøndelag, 628 metres above sea level, lies a town that seems to have stopped time. Charming wooden houses in earthy colours, tarred timber facades, cobbled streets and a mining history dating back to 1644. Røros was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1980, and it is easy to see why.
Whether you visit in summer, with long, warm light over the mountains, or in winter, when the whole town is wrapped in snow and frost, Røros offers something that is hard to find anywhere else in Norway.
Femundsmarka National Park
Femundsmarka is one of Norway's least visited national parks, and those who find their way here tend to come back.
Why visit Røros?
There is something about Røros that many destinations lack. The town was founded when copper was discovered here in the mid-17th century, and for almost three hundred years mining was its lifeblood. Today, the preserved townscape is a vivid reminder of a time when industry and nature existed side by side.
But Røros is not a museum. It is a living town with good restaurants, strong local food traditions and a cultural life that thrives all year round. The locals are proud of their town, and you notice it from the moment you arrive.
Things to do in Røros
The old mining town and Røros Church
Start your walk in the historic centre, known as Bergstaden. Wooden houses line Bergmannsgata, and the distinctive Røros Church from 1784 towers above them. Many of the doors in the old houses open inwards instead of outwards, so they don't get blocked by the snow that can pile up in winter.
It has looked like this here since 1784
Olavsgruva mine
Thirteen kilometres from the centre lies Olavsgruva, one of the best-preserved mines of the Røros Copper Works. Guided tours take you fifty metres down into the mountain and five hundred metres in to the great Miners' Hall. It is an experience that really puts the town's history into perspective.
Olavsgruva
In Olavsgruva you can walk through 300 years of mining history.
Jutulhogget canyon
Just as impressive is Jutulhogget in Alvdal, one of Northern Europe's longest canyons, up to 140 metres deep and 2.5 kilometres long. The viewpoint offers spectacular views over the gorge, and for those with the right gear and experience, it is possible to hike down into it.
Røros in winter
Winter is high season in Røros, when snow and frost give the town its unique look. Be prepared for real cold: the average temperature in January and February is around minus nine degrees, and on the coldest nights it can fall to minus 30 or below. Woollen underwear and good winter boots are not just recommended, they are essential.
Røros in winter
Central Røros from the air, with Røros Church and its characteristic wooden houses covered in snow.
Femundløpet sled dog race
Every February, Røros becomes a world-class centre for dog sledding. Femundløpet is one of Europe's biggest sled dog races and brings mushers from around the world to race through the wilderness in biting cold. The start takes place in the middle of town, and thousands of spectators turn out to send the teams off.
Femundløpet sled dog race
Dog teams at full speed through the winter landscape during Femundløpet in Røros.
The Christmas market
In December, Røros is a winter wonderland. Its Christmas market is one of Norway's most traditional, attracting visitors from all over the country with snowy streets, candlelight, local crafts and traditional food.
The Christmas market in Røros
The Christmas market in Bergmannsgata, with falling snow and historic wooden houses on both sides.
Kick sleds and winter activities
In winter, many people get around the centre on a kick sled, or spark. It is a fun, old-fashioned way to explore, and you can stop at shops and cafés along the way without getting cold.
Kick sledding in Røros
A family on kick sleds in the old mining town, with tarred timber houses on both sides.
Røros in summer
In summer, Røros changes character. The mountains are green and accessible, the days are long and the light over the plateau is something special. Hiking, cycling, kayaking and fishing on lake Femunden are just some of the options. You can also swim in Femunden, but the water is cold even on warm days.
Fishing in Femundsmarka
Femundsmarka's lakes and rivers offer great fishing. Remember that you need a fishing licence, which is easy to buy online.
Femundsmarka National Park
Femundsmarka is one of Norway's wildest and least visited national parks, with untouched forests, wetlands and lake Femunden, Norway's second-largest natural lake, stretching along the border with Sweden.
In summer you can take the boat MS Fæmund II from Synnervika and sail along the lake to various stops in the national park, one of the most relaxing ways to experience Norwegian nature.
MS Fæmund II on Femunden
MS Fæmund II takes you into the national park from Synnervika.
Food and local flavours in Røros
Røros is one of Norway's leading regions for local food. The Røros dairy is the flagship, known for its butter, sour cream and cultured milk, and local cheeses, reindeer meat, cured sausages and the traditional flatbread pjalt are other specialities worth trying.
Vertshuset Røros is one of the most recommended restaurants, with regional produce at its heart, and Grillhuset Håndverk is a good choice for modern Norwegian food in historic surroundings. Book a table well in advance, especially during Femundløpet and over Christmas, when the town is packed.
Local food safari at Utistuvollen
Taste your way through Røros on a local food safari.
Where to stay in Røros
Bergstadens Hotel is the most traditional place to stay, right in the centre with an atmosphere that suits the town's character. For something more intimate, Erzscheidergården is a charming alternative with views of the church and a breakfast full of local produce. If you love the outdoors, there are campsites in and around Røros, and in Femundsmarka National Park you can pitch a tent, hang a hammock or stay in simple, unlocked state-owned cabins.
Camping in Femundsmarka
A hammock and a campfire. Accommodation doesn't need to be more complicated than that.
How to get to Røros
There are daily flights from Oslo to Røros Airport, just two kilometres from the centre, with a flight time of around an hour. By train, the journey from Oslo takes around five hours via Hamar, while the trip from Trondheim takes about two and a half hours. From the UK, the easiest option is to fly to Oslo or Trondheim and continue by plane or train.
Røros is more than a town
There is something about Røros that makes people come back. Perhaps it is the combination of history and real everyday life, the view over the mountains, the smell of wood stoves in the winter cold or the freedom of walking into Femundsmarka with a pack on your back. Whatever the reason, Røros makes an impression, and it is no coincidence that UNESCO put it on the World Heritage List.
Røros: frequently asked questions
Why is Røros a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Røros Mining Town and the Circumference were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1980. The town is one of the best-preserved wooden mining towns in the world, and the surrounding landscape shows how copper mining shaped the area for more than 300 years, from 1644 to 1977.
When is the best time to visit Røros?
Røros is lovely all year. Winter brings Femundløpet, the Røros Winter Fair and the Christmas market, with deep cold and great atmosphere. Summer is perfect for hiking, cycling and paddling in Femundsmarka. December is especially popular because of the Christmas market.
How cold does it get in Røros?
Røros is one of the coldest towns in Norway. The average temperature in January and February is around minus nine degrees, and on the coldest nights it can drop below minus 30. Pack warm wool layers, a good jacket and winter boots.