FAQs
Norway Hiking and Yoga Adventure
Travel Information
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We don't have recommended flights for this trip, you just need to book a flight to Oslo Gardermoen which lines up with our recommended train times (see "Arrival day and recommended train timings" and "Departure day and recommended train timings").
You will need a morning flight to Oslo, to give you plenty of time to get the train to Ringebu, and an evening flight back from Oslo on the way home.
On arrival day, we usually recommend a minimum of an hour between your plane landing and your train departing. The airport is efficient and the train station is right in the terminal. Guests have managed with less time but we don't advise it unless necessary in case of flight delays.
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You are responsible for getting to Ringebu train station, where we will meet you.
Ringebu is easily accessible from from Oslo Gardermoen airport. Travelling by train is straightforward and rail services in Norway are excellent.
Once your trip is confirmed and you know your flights please book your rail journey. Tickets usually go on sale 60 days before travel.
We will collect you from a choice of two departures from Oslo Gardermoen airport (these trains originate in Oslo Sentral so you can catch the same train from there if you wish). Please look at "Arrival day and recommended train timings" and "Departure day and recommended train timings" for the details of which trains we recommend.
Book your tickets on the Vy website (https://www.vy.no/en) - which is easy to use and has an English version. Alternatively you can also use https://www.sj.no.
At Oslo Gardermoen airport (lufthavn) the railway station is in the same building as the airport, downstairs. You’ll find that the station staff speak excellent English and everything is well signposted.
Take the train to Ringebu on the Dovre railway line. It’s a scenic journey of about two and a half hours from Oslo Gardermoen. Oslo city centre (in Norway this is called Oslo S or Oslo Sentralstasjon) and Lillehammer are on the same rail line (in opposite directions).
We will pick you up from the railway station in Ringebu. The transfer time to the hotel from the station is about twenty minutes.
Changes to rail travel since August 2023:Due to significant flooding in early August 2023 (Storm Hans), the rail bridge leading into Ringebu is broken. It will probably take about a year to replace it.
The rail service continues to run with a well-organised replacement bus service between Lillehammer or Fåvang and Ringebu (the replacement bus continues through to Dombås for people travelling to or from the north).
Travellers now change from the train onto the replacement bus at Lillehammer or Fåvang. The bus stop is right outside the railway station, well-signed and the staff speak English. The buses will have the capacity for all rail passengers and will wait if the train is delayed.
We will always wait for the rail replacement bus in Ringebu if it is delayed arriving!
Rail tickets are only available 2 - 3 months before departure, which means that your tickets will have the correct departure/arrival times when you buy them.
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Take a morning flight to Oslo, to give you plenty of time to get the train to Ringebu, where we will meet you.
Train timetables are finalised 60 days before travel and trains cannot usually be booked before this. Please arrive at Ringebu on one of these two trains. These two trains are on the timetable MOST days, but occasionally one or the other does not run. PLEASE CHECK THE TIMETABLE FOR YOUR DATES BEFORE BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS:
Sun 16 June:Depart 14:29 Oslo lufthavn stasjon
Arrive 17:05 Ringebu stasjon
Depart 16:29 Oslo lufthavn stasjon
Arrive 19:01 Ringebu stasjon
Sat 29 June:Depart 14:29 Oslo lufthavn stasjon
Arrive 16:53 Ringebu stasjon
Depart 15:59 Oslo lufthavn stasjonArrive 18:35 Ringebu stasjon
Fri 19 July | Fri 2 August |Thu 15 August | Fri 30 August |
Sun 8 September
Depart 14:29 Oslo lufthavn stasjon
Arrive 16:53 Ringebu stasjon
Depart 16:29 Oslo lufthavn stasjonArrive 18:49 Ringebu stasjon
Please see "How to book your train to Ringebu" for information on how to book your trains. You are responsible for ensuring that there is enough time between your flight arriving and train departing. The train station is in the terminal and the airport is efficient. We usually recommend leaving at least an hour your flight landing and train departing.We will ask you to let us know which train you will be on in your Web Check-in in your Booking Portal. We will meet both trains, and it is a 20 minute transfer to the hotel from Ringebu train station.
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If you don't land in Oslo early enough for our recommended trains, there are usually some later trains or train / bus combinations to Ringebu from Oslo Gardermoen airport. Please check https://www.vy.no/en for your dates to confirm this - remember it is your responsibility to make your own way to Ringebu!
You are welcome to arrive on one of these later trains or buses, but you will miss dinner on the first night (no refund possible) and you will need to pay for a taxi from the station at Ringebu to the hotel as we are only able to collect from the two recommended trains; the cost of a taxi will be in the region of NOK 275 one way.
We can book this taxi for you in advance and you can pay directly at the hotel on arrival - please email bookings@gutsygirls.co.uk to arrange this (NB we will not see requests in your web check in form).
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Please book an afternoon or evening flight out of Oslo, to give you plenty of time to get the train from Ringebu back to the airport.
We will transfer you back to the train station at Ringebu in time for one of these two rail replacement bus departures. These two buses are on the timetable MOST days, but occasionally one or the other does not run. PLEASE CHECK THE TIMETABLE FOR YOUR DATES BEFORE BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS.
All trips:Depart 12:06 Ringebu stasjon
Arrive 14:21 Oslo lufthavn stasjon
Depart 14:27 Ringebu stasjonArrive 17:04 Oslo lufthavn stasjon
Please see "How to book your train to Ringebu" for information on how to book your trains. You are responsible for ensuring that there is enough time between your train arriving and flight departing on your departure day. -
We will connect you with others on the trip via WhatsApp, so you may be able to arrange to travel together.
Accommodation & Food
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The hotel we stay at is a family run hotel, known in Norway as a "fjellhotell". This term conjures the image of a warm, cosy cabin in the mountains, down to earth and with a focus on its place in nature. It has a reputation for friendly hospitality and excellent food. The views of an open landscape of lakes, mountains and forest are spectacular.
The rooms are simple, light and airy with a mountain style and there are superb mountain views from the dining room and many of the bedrooms. There is a spacious lounge or ‘stua’ with an open fire and a bar. Complimentary teas and coffee are always available in the lounge.
For those of you who may have dog allergies or simply don’t like dogs, please be aware that this hotel is dog friendly and there are at least three resident (very gentle) dogs. They won’t enter any bedrooms, but you are likely to encounter them in the lounge area, which is big and airy. There is no obligation to engage with them at all if you would rather not, but please be aware of this.
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Yes!
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No - you could bring some soap flakes / travel wash to wash your base layers if you think this will be necessary!
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The delicious, traditional homemade food on this trip is a real highlight. We will have a three course meal (set menu) every evening, a sumptuous breakfast buffet and a plentiful packed lunch for our days out.
Good quality, local ingredients sourced from local producers and healthy, homemade food are important values in the kitchen. Chefs use quality ingredients where the flavours speak for themselves.
The hotel is committed to catering for all dietary requirements and allergies and offering safe – and tasty – food.
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We can cater for all dietary requirements and we will request information prior to your arrival.
Please note the dinner is a three course set menu, so if there are foods you can't eat or dislike eating, please makes sure this is clear well in advance of your arrival!
Activities
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The hiking is remote and can be challenging, with long days.
One of the peaks includes a scramble, with a short descent assisted by a chain, hand over hand.
You will need to be happy with heights / exposure.
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Trip Difficulty: We've rated this trip as moderate to challenging, considering the terrain, distances, and elevation. It's vital to have a good level of fitness and endurance to fully enjoy and participate in the hikes.
Duration: On the more challenging days, expect to hike for up to 9 hours. These hikes will take you through remote and wild landscapes, offering a true wilderness experience.
Distance: The hikes will cover distances of 15km, 20km, and 12km. Assess your ability to handle these distances in mountainous terrain.
Elevation: Be prepared for uphill climbs reaching up to 1100m. Comfort with both ascending and descending is important.
Terrain: Expect rocky and uneven trails in some areas, adding to the hike's intensity.
Scrambling: Some parts of the hike will involve scrambling, which requires using your hands and feet to navigate terrain, without the need for ropes.
Heights: The hike includes exposed ridges, so a comfort level with heights is necessary.
Consecutive Days of Activity: The itinerary involves hiking for three consecutive days, which can be physically demanding and requires stamina.
Weather Considerations: While we hope for sunny days, the weather in the mountains can change rapidly. Come prepared with appropriate clothing for hiking in various weather conditions, including rain.
If you have a good to high level of fitness and have experience of hill walking, you’ll be good to go for this adventure!We ask that you are realistic in assessing your fitness for this trip; the hikes are remote and the days are long.
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One of the peaks includes a scramble, with a short descent assisted by a chain, hand over hand.
You will need to be happy with heights / exposure.
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Yes! You can find it here.
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Yes! Ensure you bring a daypack with you that has space for layers that you need to peel off and put away. We recommend a backpack of about 25 litres.
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Even in Norway's summer the weather can be fairly cool so we would suggest dressing as for the UK in autumn. Our packing list reflects this.
We encourage you to check the forecast soon before your trip so that you can amend your packing list accordingly for a warm or wet week!
You can check the weather here.
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On this trip, everywhere you will visit accepts cards, so you don't need to withdraw any Norwegian Krone at all.
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The yoga sessions are slow and restorative to help you recover from a day of hiking!