Hurdal – Lakes, Peaks and History
Accommodation in Hurdal
Hurdal combines water-rich natural surroundings with distinctive peaks and activities for active days on holiday. More than 40 lakes and bodies of water offer opportunities for swimming, fishing and paddling. There are also designated ski areas, an extensive network of cross-country trails and places with a history of their own. When choosing a holiday apartment in Hurdal, you can start by asking whether water, outdoor activities, winter sports or cultural discoveries should shape your stay.
Explore Lakes and Mountains
Åsand, on Hurdalsjøen, has a gently sloping sandy beach. The recreational area includes picnic facilities, accessible toilets and a large car park. The combination of beach and picnic facilities makes it an option for a stay by the water. If you prefer to be active, you can swim, fish or paddle in Hurdal’s many lakes and bodies of water.
The ridges also define the landscape: eight of the ten highest peaks in Akershus are in Hurdal. Fjellsjøkampen reaches 812 m and is the highest point in the former Akershus; its summit lies within the Fjellsjøkampen Nature Reserve. Two marked routes lead to the summit. The steeper route is 2.3 km long, while the gentler one is 5.7 km. This lets you choose between a shorter, steeper route and a longer, gentler one for your hike.
Winter Activities with Different Focuses
SkiHurdal offers family slopes, a race course, a black run, ski cross and a small terrain park. There are also numerous forest trails. In total, SkiHurdal has 11 downhill runs served by 3 lifts, as well as dedicated children’s slopes and a toboggan run. The different activities make it easy to choose what kind of winter sport you have in mind: downhill runs and ski cross are complemented by dedicated areas for children and opportunities for tobogganing.
Hurdal has a well-developed network of cross-country ski trails. Minneåsen and Skrukkelia are particularly known for their good skiing opportunities. These include illuminated routes as well as trails groomed for skating and classic skiing. If you enjoy spending your holiday days on the trails, these options differ from the downhill runs at SkiHurdal and give your stay its own focus.
Culture and Longer Excursions
Hurdal Church was completed in 1681 and stands at the end of Hurdalsjøen, in a cultural landscape with several Iron Age burial sites. Its protected status is “Automatisk listeført (1650–1850).” The church houses a baptismal font dating from 1150 to 1200, which comes from the earlier church. These historical details add a glimpse into the area’s past to its natural attractions.
Hurdal’s glassmaking tradition is also part of its history: according to a product list from 1783, the historic Hurdal glassworks made at least 30 drinking-glass designs by Nøstetangen. The history of glassmaking also adds a cultural dimension to your trip.
For a longer cycling trip, consider the approximately 54 km Hurdalsjøen rundt route. It starts at Hurdalsjøen Hotell and goes around Hurdal’s largest body of water. Along with the shorter summit routes, the beach and winter sports activities, the cycling route shows how varied a stay in Hurdal can be. Choose your accommodation based on which of these experiences you want to make the focus of your trip. To explore the surrounding area further, you can also visit Rustad.
For the broader travel overview: Akershus.
More Destinations
More places within the same destination:
