Hiking in Trøndelag – 7 long-distance trails and mountain tours from Sylmassivet to Trollheimen

Trøndelag is located in central Norway, between Møre and Romsdal in the southwest, Innlandet in the south, Nordland in the north and Sweden in the east. The county includes Trondheim, Trondheimsfjorden, Namdalen, Innherred, Stjørdalen, Orkdalen, Oppdal, Røros, Meråker and Snåsa.

The landscape ranges from coast and farmland to forests, bogs and high mountain ranges. Nord- and Sør-Trøndelag merged in 2018, and the merger will remain in place until 2024. Several mountain areas are shared with neighboring counties. Trollheimen, Dovrefjell and the Sylmassivet therefore require you to keep track of borders, local regulations and transport.

Trondheim is the natural transport hub with trains, flights and public transport on to several starting points. Timetables change, so check the journey on the day you book the tour.

1. SignaTUR All the way to the border – eight days along the Swedish border

SignaTUR Helt på grensen is a demanding long-distance hike of approximately 135 kilometers from Ogndal in Steinkjer to Teveldal in Meråker. It goes through forest and mountain terrain, partly in the Blåfjella–Skjækerfjella National Park, and follows T-marked trails.

The eight stages are approximately:

1. Lustadvatnet–Setertjønnhytta, 10 km
2. Setertjønnhytta–Skjækerdalshytta, 15 km
3. Skjækerdalshytta–Veresstua, 20 km
4. Veresstua–Bellingstua, 17 km
5. Bellingstua–Sulsjøhytta, 21 km
6. Sulsjøhytta–Ferslia, 10 km
7. Ferslia–Angeltjønnhytta, 17 km
8. Angeltjønnhytta–Teveldal, 25 km

Overnight stays are at Setertjønnhytta, Skjækerdalshytta, Veresstua, Bellingstua, Sulsjøhytta, Ferslia and Angeltjønnhytta. The stages include bogs, forest paths, planks, bridges, fords and open mountains. The third stage may be affected by snowmelt at Tverråa, and the fourth contains bog areas.

This is a trip for experienced mountain hikers. The last day is long and should not be underestimated. The altitude gain is spread over several days, but fatigue builds when the pack is still heavy.

Book or check each cabin location, key routine and provisions before departure. DNT's information states that the route is summer marked. The winter variant requires significantly greater orientation skills and is not the same trip on skis.

2. SignaTUR Trollheimen – the longer tour

SignaTUR Trollheimen is a 126-kilometer round trip that normally takes six to seven days. It goes through Gjevilvassdalen, Jøldalen, Storlidalen, Folldalen and Innerdalen. The terrain alternates between lush valleys, pasture landscapes, rocky passages and high mountains.

The daily stages are often around 13–29 kilometers depending on the route chosen. Expect significant elevation changes and hiking days of six to nine hours. The terrain is mainly marked mountain trails, but there are wet sections, rocks and steeper valley crossings.

Trollheimen is located on the county border with Møre og Romsdal. The triangle in Trollheimen , about 59 kilometers between Gjevilvasshytta, Jøldalshytta and Trollheimshytta, was already described in the article about Møre og Romsdal. Here, the longer round trip is the main option. You can also plan the Firkanten, about 68 kilometers, if you want a shorter, continuous version.

DNT cabins make cabin-to-cabin convenient, but don't book on the assumption that all spots are always open or staffed. Check current status, provisions, dog rules, and transportation to Gjevilvasshytta. Still, bring a map, compass, offline map, rain gear, and enough energy for an extra hour.

3. Storsylen – demanding summit hike in the Syl massif

Storsylen is officially 1,762 meters above sea level. The peak is located about 70–80 meters from the Swedish border and is the highest mountain in the Sylan massif and the highest in Trøndelag outside Oppdal. Some sources state 1,763.6 meters, but the official height used here is 1,762 meters.

The usual summit tour starts from Nedalshytta.

From Nedalshytta, the hike involves approximately 1,000 meters of elevation gain to the summit, depending on the exact route. The terrain ranges from trails to rocks, boulders and exposed areas. It is a demanding full-day hike for experienced mountain hikers with sure footing in boulder terrain.

Snowfields, fog and strong winds can make the trip unsuitable even during the summer. Leave a travel plan, start early and turn around before you get tired. Check DNT's information about Sylan , weather, snow conditions and any restrictions.

4. Storskrymten – Trøndelag's highest point is a border peak

Storskrymten is officially 1,985 meters above sea level and is located on the border between Oppdal in Trøndelag, Sunndal in Møre og Romsdal and Lesja in Innlandet. Trøndelag's highest point is thus located in the border area of three counties.

This is not an easy viewpoint. The hiking trail to the top is long, the elevation difference is large, and the terrain can include rocks, boulders, snowfields, and difficult-to-orientate high mountain sections. Depending on your starting point, you may need to expect over 1,000 meters of elevation gain and a very long day.

The tour is suitable for experienced mountain hikers with experience using a map, compass and high alpine terrain. Snow and poor visibility may make the summit unsuitable. Use current DNT/UT information about Dovrefjell , check cross-border transport and leave a travel plan. Turn around on time. A border peak is still a high mountain tour.

5. Bymarka – a walk close to the city from Skistua

Bymarka is Trondheim's large urban outdoor recreation area. It's not wilderness, but the network of trails, bogs, forests and open heights provides good training for longer mountain hikes.

A specific loop is Skistua–Storheia–Kudalen , approximately 10.9 kilometers. Storheia reaches 565 meters above sea level and is the highest point in Bymarka. The loop goes on marked paths and ski routes, but Kudalen can be uneven and wet. Bog, mud and slippery roots are common during spring, autumn and rainy summers.

The tour is suitable for beginners with normal fitness in dry conditions, but requires more attention when the trail is muddy or icy. Bring water, reinforcement clothing and an offline map even though the area is close to the city. Trondheim Municipality has up-to-date information about trails and access.

Skistua is accessible by public transport from Trondheim. Check current traffic, trail status and any construction work in the area.

6. Skarvan and Roltdalen – old growth forest, bog and Fongen

Skarvan og Roltdalen National Park is located in Selbu, Tydal, Stjørdal and Meråker. It features old-growth forests, Roltdalen, large bog areas and mountain peaks such as Fongen at 1,441 meters.

The area has marked trails and DNT cabins, including Prestøyhytta and Schulzhytta. A practical plan is to use the cabins as stage destinations and build the tour from access roads in Selbu, Tydal or Meråker. There are also connections to Ramsjøhytta and Sylan. The altitude varies, but a trip to Fongen involves several hundred meters of ascent from valley or cabin level.

Bogs and fens dominate some sections. Others go over rocks, roots and open mountains. Few marked trails do not mean that navigation is unimportant. Have a paper map, compass and offline GPS.

The national park has its own regulations. Check cycling, dogs, camping and any temporary areas of concern before starting. Norway across the area is about 120 kilometers from the Trondheimsfjord to the Sylmassivet and normally takes about seven days.

7. Gudbrandsdalsleden towards Trondheim – or Forollhogna

The Gudbrandsdalsleden is a marked pilgrimage trail of approximately 643 kilometers from Oslo to Trondheim. It runs through cultural landscapes, farms, forests and historical environments – not through continuous wilderness.

The Dovre–Kongsvoll route is approximately 56 kilometers. Dovrefjell should not be crossed before mid-June due to snow, meltwater and the calving of wild reindeer. Check the trail with Pilegrimssenter Dovrefjell, as bridges, accommodation and accessibility vary.

Another option is Forollhogna National Park, which is shared between Trøndelag and Innlandet. The area is one of Norway's most important wild reindeer areas. Choose trails with respect for calving and hunting, keep your distance from reindeer, and follow any caution zones or access restrictions.

Public right in Trøndelag

The right of public access applies to outland , i.e. natural land where the public can travel. Inland includes, among other things, farmyards, cultivated land, pastures near homes and areas directly adjacent to houses. Do not cross inland without permission.

In the open countryside, you are normally allowed to camp for a maximum of two days in the same place and at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cabins. Camping in the countryside, near buildings or in special tent areas requires a permit or follows local regulations.

The general fire ban in or near forests and other open land applies from April 15 to September 15. Local fire bans may be stricter. Check the fire risk on the same day. An enclosed emergency kitchen is often a safer alternative, but even that must be used responsibly.

Dogs are required to be on a leash nationally from 1 April to 20 August, with possible local extensions. In wild reindeer areas and near grazing animals, dogs may need to be kept on a leash even outside of this period. Motorized traffic in open areas is not included in the right of way.

The public duty means that you should leave as little trace as possible, take your rubbish with you, close gates and show consideration for animals, landowners and other hikers. Trøndelag has large agricultural areas, mountain pastures and private land in the countryside. The mountain areas are more often state-owned or protected, but special rules apply there too. Sylan, Skarvan og Roltdalen, Forollhogna and Dovrefjell may have their own regulations.

The rules differ from Denmark, where access and camping are often more tied to specific areas and designated spots. Sweden and Finland also have public access, but details about camping, fires, dogs and protected areas vary. Never read Norwegian rules as if they are automatically Swedish or Finnish.

Equipment for weather, swamps and cold nights

For cabin-to-cabin you can pack lighter. If you're camping you'll need a wind-resistant tent, adequate insulation and a margin for cold, wet nights. See HikingStore's tents , backpacks , sleeping pads and sleeping bags .

A sleeping pad that is too thin will quickly lead to cold ground and poor recovery. The sleeping bag must be judged by the actual night temperature, not by the daytime temperature. Also read the packing list for summer mountaineering and the guide to bird down , especially if you compare CUIN, fill weight and the difference between goose and duck down.

Bring a map, compass, offline maps, headlamp, first aid kit, mosquito repellent, tick control, rain gear, and a packed lunch. Plan on water between stages. Water in mountain streams looks clean, but purification may be wise near cabins, pastures, and heavily used trails.

The best choice is the equipment that works when the wind increases, the trail gets wet and visibility disappears.

The next county in the Norway series is Nordland.