Støren: Wild Salmon, Culture and Hiking Destinations

Visitors to Støren may be interested in very different aspects of the town: wild salmon, culture and history, or a recommended mountain hike. The Besøkssenter villaks Støren is located by the Gaula River. Its exhibition covers salmon, from its habitat to its anatomy.

Wild Salmon and the Gaula

In the wider destination of Midtre Gauldal, the National Wild Salmon Visitor Centre at Gauldalsporten in Støren also provides information about the wild salmon’s life cycle, river ecosystems, nature conservation and local value creation. The visitor experience therefore goes beyond looking at salmon itself to include the river landscape and its protection.

Culture in the Centre and on the Outskirts

Støren Kulturhus is one of four regional cultural centres in Sør-Trøndelag and is centrally located in Støren, the municipal centre of Midtre Gauldal. The centre includes Kultursalen, with around 430 seats; the 50-seat Støren Kino; and the Kulturkafeen café. Uteamfiet, an outdoor stage with a natural amphitheatre, is also part of the cultural centre; it is connected to the premises of Støren Museum at Prestegården.

There are also historic points of interest outside the town centre. Støren kirke was completed in 1817. Its octagonal wooden building stands just outside the centre. Støren Museum was officially opened to the public on 14 June 1986.

Varfjellet and the Railway Line

Varfjellet is a 705-metre-high summit and a recommended mountain hiking destination in Støren. From Flatreitan, the hike first follows a toll road for about 1.5 kilometres to the car park. From there, it continues along an old road and a trail. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours for the ascent. This time estimate from the municipality is a guide: the actual duration depends on conditions and the hikers.

For rail orientation, Støren railway station is a notable local landmark: it is on the Dovre Line. It opened in 1864, when the Trondheim–Støren railway line was completed.

Gauldalsporten as a Guide to Midtre Gauldal

Gauldalsporten is located in Prestteigen in Støren and is recommended as a good starting point for experiences in the wider destination of Midtre Gauldal. Local food is sold there, and there is also a café. Check service information before your trip.

Landscapes and Trails in the Wider Destination of Midtre Gauldal

Part of Forollhogna National Park lies in Midtre Gauldal; Forollhogna is an important habitat for wild reindeer. In Budal, the Seterdalen valleys have protected landscape and selected cultural landscape status. Active mountain farms let cattle and sheep graze on outlying pastures there. Blåora in Endalen is recommended as a place to experience an extensive area of traditional haymaking on outlying land. For a ride through Endalen’s cultural landscape, cycling from the access points to the Seterdalen valleys is recommended.

Storbekkøya museumsseter in Budal is a family-friendly excursion destination with mountain farm buildings dating from the early 19th century. From there, you can follow the pilgrim trail uphill through a birch slope to the Rogneskletten viewpoint. The viewpoint is at 1,019 metres in Forollhogna National Park. The Storbekklia cultural trail tells the story of trapping, tar burning and iron smelting.

Pilgrim trails also provide a sense of the region, with different routes to explore: the Pilegrimsleia through Østerdalen is about 70 kilometres long within Midtre Gauldal. Singsås railway station is on the old Røros Line and is a natural hub along the Østerdalsleden. Its first stage towards Trondheim starts at the station. The municipality of Midtre Gauldal is also home to Singsås kirke, a wooden church dating from 1884.

You can fish for salmon in the Bua River. Støren JFF sells fishing licences to the general public; a fishing licence is required to fish on stretches managed by Støren JFF. On the Gaula, the Gaulakortet must be purchased in accordance with local fishing rules. Licences and rules may change seasonally; check them before fishing.

When choosing your holiday apartment, it may help to consider what you want to focus on: culture, the wild salmon exhibition and Varfjellet in Støren, or a trip more centred on landscapes, pilgrim trails and activities in the wider Midtre Gauldal area?

Discover more destinations: Soknedal, Engan.

Go to the wider travel overview: Midtre Gauldal.