Røros: UNESCO Wooden Town and Mining History

Røros combines a mining town built entirely of wood with a cultural landscape that tells the story of mining and life on the high plateaus. Founded in 1646, the town illustrates how mining, transport and everyday life were adapted to a cold climate, a remote location without roads, and limited opportunities for forestry and agriculture. For planning your trip, Røros offers not only historic settings but also tangible insights into the history of a distinctive way of life.

Experience the wooden town and its mining history

Røros Bergstad preserves a street plan dating from the 17th century and well-preserved wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. These features formed the basis for its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. The houses on Sleggveien are also part of the historic townscape; craftspeople from the Røros Museum have restored them using traditional methods. Slegghaugan and the area around Malmplassen are protected under Norway’s Cultural Heritage Act.

At the Røros Museum Smelthytta, animated models illustrate the history of the Røros Copper Works and the processes involved in mines and smelting works. The admission price includes an audio guide in Norwegian, English, German and French. The Pressemuseet Fjell-Ljom offers a different insight into the history of technology: it houses the only fully preserved hot-metal typesetting print shop in Northern Europe. The museum opens on request; group tours can be arranged in advance through the Røros Museum.

Guided tours and excursions

The guided town walk, Bergstadvandring, starts at Smelthytta on Malmplassen and ends with a tour of Røros Church. Groups can book Bergstadvandring and historical walks year-round at a time that suits them. Those interested in the history underground can visit Olavsgruva in the vicinity of Røros: the one-hour guided walk passes through the Nyberget mine, which operated in the 17th century, and Olavsgruva, which was worked using more modern methods in the 20th century. The route descends 50 metres and continues 500 metres underground to the Miners’ Hall, where the temperature is 4°C year-round.

History for young explorers, too

Røroshistorien for barn introduces children to the history of Røros, the work of the miners and copper production at the smelting works on a guided tour. In summer, the tour takes place daily at Malmplassen, on Slegghaugen and in the Smelthytta exhibitions. Families can choose between different ways to explore local history: through models and exhibitions, or on a tour that specifically introduces children to mining and copper production.

Landscape and regional food culture

From the summit of Slegghaugan, you can enjoy panoramic views over the mining town. The Sølendet Nature Reserve is also nearby. It covers 3,064 daa and is one of Norway’s largest continuous areas of nutrient-rich calcareous fens. Around 270 species of vascular plants have been recorded there, including 12 orchid species and at least as many orchid hybrids. The contrast between Røros’s mining history and the nature reserve’s plant diversity may influence which excursions you choose.

Food culture can also be explored through the history of the town. The Local Food Safari is a guided walk through the history of local food and the origins of some well-known regional products and dishes. It ends at Kaffestuggu with a tasting that brings together older and modern food culture. Kaffestuggu is one of the oldest inns in Røros. At Rørosmeieriet, visitors can see, taste and hear how the products are made on a guided tour.

Getting here and choosing where to stay

Røros railway station is on the Røros Line, with train connections towards Trondheim S, Oslo S and Hamar. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can choose Røros as a base for a stay focused on the historic mining town, guided tours or regional food culture. You can also add excursions to Olavsgruva and the Sølendet Nature Reserve to your travel plans.

More local pages to explore: Glåmos, Brekkebygd.

For the overview of the wider region: Røros.