Ljørdalen: Nature, Culture and Active Experiences

Ljørdalen offers different ways to experience nature and culture: Fulufjellet is home to vast, unbroken and relatively untouched forest and mountain areas that straddle the border. The area also has the Ljøra River, nature reserves, a wooden church and various mountain activities. Storbekkåsen is the main Norwegian access point to Fulufjellet National Park. The Norwegian main entrance there has a rest area with a shelter, fire pit and information boards. This gives you a clear question to consider when planning your holiday: should the focus be on the national park’s nature, a cultural experience or a sporting activity?

Nature and trails at Fulufjellet

A marked circular hike of about 5 kilometres starts at the shelter near Storbekkåsen and passes through the area. Parts of the trail are paved with stones. The approximate distance, trail markings and partly paved surface describe the route in more detail, without confusing it with the Fulufjelltrappa: this Sherpa staircase leads from Storbekkåsen towards Brynflået and was completed in 2019. This puts two different types of routes in focus—a circular hike through the area and a staircase with a stated direction.

The Ljøra River is also part of the area’s geography: it flows through Ljørdalen, comes from Sweden and also empties into the Västerdalälven in Sweden. The larger nature reserves in the Ljørdalen area are Fregn, Smoldalen, Granbekken og Drevja, Granåsen and Storberget. For nature enthusiasts, these named protected areas provide other places of interest, alongside Fulufjellet National Park, when exploring the local landscape.

Tobogganing, mountain biking and ski slopes

Fulufjellet offers other activities with distinct focuses. The Gira toboggan run is 1,600 metres long, and speeds of up to 70 km/h are possible on the descent. Fulufjellet Bike Park has playful, flowing trails for beginners and experienced mountain bikers. Fulufjellet Alpine Centre in Ljørdalen has nine ski slopes. The toboggan run, bike park and ski slopes each appeal to different interests. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Ljørdalen, you can use these differences to decide more precisely what you want to focus on, rather than grouping all the activities together as a single experience.

Ljørdalen Church

Ljørdalen Church reveals another side of the village. Built in 1872, this long church has a relatively simple design, built from logs and clad on the outside. Its interior is relatively well preserved from the time it was built. Features include an oak-grained pulpit, a rood screen or chancel arch, and a baptismal font. These details give the church a distinctive cultural character: alongside the landscape and activities at Fulufjellet, the architecture and furnishings of a historic church interior can also be part of your trip.

When considering Ljørdalen as a holiday destination, you can start by thinking about your different interests: the natural area and circular hike, the church and its architectural history, or the listed options for tobogganing, mountain biking and skiing. This helps you search for a holiday apartment based on the experiences that will actually be most important during your stay.

More places in this location guide: Slettås, Plassen, Søre Osen, Østby, Nybergsund, Trysil, Jordet and Tørberget.

Back to the main travel guide: Trysil.