Discover Kvikne’s churches, museums and nature

Kvikne combines a fascinating cultural history with excursions into the mountain landscape. A timber church, two museums and historic soapstone quarries give the village its distinctive character; there are also hiking destinations, a cross-country ski trail in winter and opportunities for fishing. This means you can tailor your trip to focus on history or outdoor activities.

Church, farms and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Kvikne Church was built in 1654. Its timber construction and tarred vertical exterior cladding define its appearance. Inside, it can be described as having an unusual cruciform layout with short transepts and a roof turret above the centre. In the 18th century, a sacristy was added behind the choir to the east, and a porch to the west. The church is exceptionally well preserved and relatively unchanged, both inside and out.

Take a closer look at the three-tiered altarpiece from 1663: the lower section depicts the Last Supper, the Crucifixion is above it, and a sculpture of Christ crowns the top. These details make the church a distinctive destination for anyone interested in historic architecture and sacred art.

Bjørgan is also part of Kvikne’s cultural history. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was born there on 8 December 1832, at the parsonage. The old parsonage building dates from 1822 and preserves several objects from Bjørnson’s time. Today it is a museum affiliated with the Nord-Østerdal Museum. You can experience another historic farm at Vollan gård, where the oldest buildings date from the 17th century. When Lorentz Lossius worked there, the farm was one of the largest in the area; today, Vollan gård is a museum worth visiting in summer.

Soapstone quarries with a long history

The quarries tell the story of different periods of use. The Soåttdalen soapstone quarry, west of Sandbekkdalen, lies about 1,000 metres above sea level and is one of the country’s best-known soapstone quarries from the pre-Roman Iron Age. Several C14 samples of organic material from waste heaps near the quarry have been dated to 400–300 BC. Traces are visible at places where pots were quarried in the area; it can be explored on foot.

Information boards are provided at Riksveg 3 and at the quarry to help you find your way. Because there is a barrier, it is recommended that you walk along the access road. Another historic soapstone quarry is located at Kaltberget, near Grøtberget. It dates from the Middle Ages and was operated on a large scale to produce pots. The comparison shows that Kvikne’s quarrying history is not limited to a single period or place.

Hiking, cross-country skiing and fishing

The summit of Kaltberget is considered a rewarding hiking destination all year round. In winter, a cross-country ski trail is also groomed there. If you want to spend time outdoors, you can choose between this seasonal skiing option and a hike. Another option starts along Plassæterveien: there is a car park and a trailhead for the hike along Svartsjøen to Ruv, at an elevation of about 1,028 metres.

The Kvikne fishing permit area is another highlight for anglers. It covers more than 70 lakes and over 160 kilometres of rivers and streams containing fish, where you can try to catch large brown trout. The annual Norsk Ørretfiskefestival, held in Kvikne, involves fishing in the Orkla. The waters thus offer a focus of their own alongside the historic sights and hiking destinations.

Transport and getting around

Riksveg 3 runs through Kvikne and is one of the main road connections between Oslo and Trondheim. Bus services run from Kvikne between Tynset and Ulsberg, and onwards to Berkåk, Støren and Trondheim. At the Kvikne National Park Centre at Vollan gård, you will find an exhibition and information about reindeer, the mountain ecosystem and cultural heritage sites in Forollhogna and Knutshø.

East of the Kvikne valley lies the Forelhogna area, home to Forollhogna National Park, established in 2001. Kvikne is one of the villages that serve as a starting point for activities around the national park. When looking for a holiday rental in Kvikne, you can first consider whether you would like to focus your trip more on cultural history, hiking, cross-country skiing or fishing. If you would like to compare more destinations, also choose Tynset.

Go to the main travel overview: Tynset.