The History of Høvringen – A Mountain Village Shaped by Nature and Tradition

Where culture, outdoor life, and the Rondane wilderness meet
Høvringen sits at the western gateway to the Rondane mountains, around 1,000 meters above sea level. Over time, this high-mountain landscape has evolved from a remote hunting ground and ironworking site into a thriving community built on summer farming, and today, a peaceful yet active base for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and cross-country skiers.

1. Hunting and Iron Production – The Earliest Mountain Life
(Prehistoric times – 1600s)
Long before Høvringen became known for hiking trails and cross-country skiing, humans were drawn here for survival. For thousands of years, hunters tracked wild reindeer and elk through the valleys surrounding Rondane.

In 2018, archaeological excavations revealed at least ten ancient iron production sites in Høvringen, along with charcoal pits and hunting traps. These findings indicate that the area once held rich forests and natural resources—enough to support charcoal burning and small-scale iron smelting from bog ore.

2. The Summer Farm Era – Life on the Mountain Pastures
(1600s – 1950s)
As forests dwindled and iron production faded, the mountain plateau took on a new role. Farming families from the valley below began using Høvringen for summer pastures, a traditional practice known as seterdrift.
As early as the 1600s, farms such as Lårgard, Romundgard, and Jørundgard in Sel sent their livestock to graze in Høvringen. The 1686 land register lists several additional farms with summer farms here, including Olstad, Skåra, Brenna, Ulsvolden, Nerøygard, Haug, Brekke, and Skjelle.
At its height, Høvringen was home to around 32 seters (mountain dairy farms). The first recorded visitors arrived in 1843, when Lårgardseter welcomed summer guests—marking the beginning of Høvringen’s long tradition of hospitality and mountain tourism.

3. Tourism and Mountain Cabins – The Birth of an Outdoor Destination
(Late 1800s – today)
By the late 19th century, Høvringen began shifting from a farming community to a welcoming holiday destination. Local families opened their doors to paying guests, and soon people from Norway’s cities built their own mountain cabins here.
Today, tourism is at the heart of Høvringen. The village offers cozy lodges, traditional hotels, and private cabins, all surrounded by quiet wilderness and with direct access to the trails of Rondane National Park. Whether you come for hiking, cross-country skiing, or simply the clean mountain air, Høvringen remains a gateway to authentic outdoor life.

Where Does the Name “Høvringen” Come From?
The name itself has an air of mystery. One theory suggests it is derived from hovringen, referring to the circular form of the surrounding mountains. Another explanation traces it to høvre, an old Norwegian term describing a saddle-shaped ridge or height—fitting for this unique alpine landscape.

Sources: Wikipedia – Høvringen; Høvringens historie – Høvringen Vel