Otta – River Landscape, Hiking and Culture

In Otta, two rivers meet: the Gudbrandsdalslågen and the Ottaelva. The contrast in the colour of their water is considered a sight worth seeing. There are also hiking trails, train and bus connections, and cultural attractions. This means you can get to know the town from different perspectives, depending on your travel interests—from its river landscape to attending a concert.

River views and hiking destinations

A striking viewpoint is the Dagsturhytta Otta. From there, you can see Rondane, the valley and the centre of Otta. The cabin offers visitors shelter and a place to take a break: you can eat the meal you brought with you and warm up there. Overnight stays are not permitted at the Dagsturhytta Otta. It is therefore suitable as a place to stop for a rest, not as an overnight accommodation.

Several other hiking options start from the Dagsturhytta. There are also hikes from Otta to Pillarguritoppen and Thokampen. These destinations offer different options for an active day; the information provided does not describe a shared route between them. If you want to make hiking the focus of your trip, you can consider these local destinations when choosing where to stay in Otta.

One section of the Ringebu–Otta route is described in detail: the fourth section runs from Sjoa to Otta and is 9 km long. It initially follows an old summer grazing path, then continues via Solheim to Otta. The distance and route give you a clear idea of this part of the trail. In Otta, the destination, there are numerous restaurants and shops, as well as several accommodation options.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

The main route to the Dagsturhytta Otta starts in the centre, follows Liaveien and then continues along a steep, waymarked path. In spring and early summer, this path is often wet. Take both the gradient and the often-wet path conditions at this time of year into account when planning your trip.

Otta railway station is on the Dovrebanen. Trains run from there towards Trondheim, Åndalsnes and Oslo S. The station offers combined connections by train, bus and taxi; there are also bus services to Lom and the Nordfjord region. When choosing where to stay, you may therefore want to consider whether you are looking to use Otta as a base for its hiking destinations, river landscape, or the train and bus connections described here. A holiday apartment in Otta is a suitable option to search for if you want to focus your stay on the town’s attractions and hiking destinations.

Culture in the town

Architecture and cultural events are also part of Otta’s character. The Otta Kulturhus stands out for its outward-sloping exterior walls, clad in local slate from Otta. Concerts, theatre performances, talks and film screenings are held there every Sunday. The programme offers different ways to enjoy a cultural evening, from a stage performance to a film.

Another cultural highlight is Otta bykirke, which houses a donated collection of paintings depicting the twelve disciples and the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus. Together with the Kulturhus, it complements the natural and hiking destinations with art and architecture. So if you want to include a variety of interests in your trip, you can also choose Otta with these cultural attractions in mind.

For more ideas of places to visit, you can also explore Mysusæter, Heidal, Høvringen and Sel.

Back to the main travel overview: Sel.