Orkanger

Orkanger tells its story in an unusual way: through a historic wooden district, the Thamspaviljongen and a heritage railway with a distinctive history of technology. At the same time, trails lead from the fjord along the Orkla, and at Gammelosen, walking paths meet bathing beaches. Whether you are interested in culture, railway and industrial history, or activities by the water, these highlights can help guide you when choosing your holiday rental in Orkanger.

Wooden district, pavilion and cultural trail

In the north of the small town lies Trehusbyen Nerøra. The historic district still preserves a continuous stretch of wooden buildings and its original street layout; it extends towards the fjord. Fishermen and people living along the waterfront have made their homes here since the 17th century. With the start of industrialisation in the mid-19th century, Nerøra also developed into a centre for industry, trade, crafts and fishing. The preserved streets and houses give this transformation a tangible setting: a visit lets you connect the district’s history with its individual buildings and street layout.

The Thamspaviljongen is also connected with Orkanger’s history. It was prefabricated at Strandheim Brug in Orkanger and erected at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. In September 2017, it returned to Orkanger and was officially reopened there. The artwork “Industriarbeiderne” in Nerviksparken offers another perspective on local industrial history: Kjell Arne Blomli created the work, which was unveiled in June 2025 and honours the industrial history and its workers.

A digital cultural trail connects eleven stops, with posters and QR codes linking to videos. The locations listed include Orkanger church, Orkanger railway station and Nerøra. Each film lasts about three minutes and provides historical information about the location at that stop. You can include individual stops as short cultural breaks during your stay.

Explore by heritage railway or along the river

The Thamshavnbanen was Norway’s first electric railway and the world’s first successful railway to operate on alternating current. Today it is a heritage railway running from Orkanger to Løkken. During the summer season, it runs to a set timetable on Saturdays and Sundays, making return trips between Bårdshaug station and Løkken. You can combine a ride with a visit to the mines or museums in Løkken Verk. If you are particularly interested in technology and industrial history, you can make this railway journey a focus in its own right, alongside your explorations in Orkanger.

For an outing in the landscape, Orklaparken runs from the fjord north of Orkanger along the salmon river Orkla to Forve Bridge at Fannrem. The 10-kilometre trail offers an accessible hiking experience through wetlands and agricultural landscapes. Along the way, there are permanent barbecue areas and seating where you can enjoy food you have brought with you. A diverse range of birdlife can be seen by the waterways and fjord; in summer, flowers, shrubs and insects add to the experience where the wetlands meet the agricultural landscape. The length of the trail and its landscapes make it a stand-alone choice for a day trip.

Another hiking option runs from Joplassen to Raudhåmmårn, also known as Rødkammen. The route to the viewpoint is 1 kilometre long, with an elevation gain of 170 metres; the viewpoint is 260 metres above sea level. There are four possible starting points, and you can also hike the route as a loop. This gives you a choice of starting points, while the distance, elevation gain and destination clearly describe the hike.

Water and relaxation

Gammelosen near Orkanger is a recreational and bathing area with four white-sand beaches and a 2.1-kilometre walking path. It is a saltwater area between Orklandbadet and the Orkdalsfjord. If you would like to combine time by the water with a walk, you can do both in the same area. Orklandbadet offers a different kind of water experience, with a large swimming pool, a wave pool, waterslides and a separate children’s pool with a play area.

If you would like to explore other places in the same wider selection, you can find Fannrem, Hoston here.

For the wider travel overview: Orkdal.