Orkdal: River Trails, Peaks and Cultural History

Discover Orkdal through three distinct themes: Orklaparken along the salmon river Orkla, Omnfjellet and the cultural history of the Thamspaviljongen. Together, they offer different ways to experience the landscape, outdoor activities and culture. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Orkdal, you can start by considering which of these perspectives you’d like to shape your stay.

Along the river or up to the summit

Orklaparken is a 10-kilometre hiking trail from the fjord at Båtklubben Ternas småbåthavn in Orkanger to Forve Bridge in Fannrem. It runs along the salmon river Orkla. The route is clearly defined by these two endpoints: at one end is the fjord by Orkanger, and at the other is the bridge in Fannrem; between them, the trail follows the river. The start and end points help you plan the route in concrete terms and trace the connection between the fjord, the river and the endpoint.

Omnfjellet offers a different focus. At 830 metres, it is the highest mountain peak in the former municipality of Orkdal. The round trip to Omnfjellet from the starting point at Langlidalen by Våvatnet is about 8 to 9 kilometres long. This makes it possible to distinguish between the two hiking options by their format: Orklaparken is a ten-kilometre route from the fjord to Forve Bridge, while the Omnfjellet hike gives the approximate total distance for the return trip and focuses on a summit. For a fair comparison, therefore, consider both the kilometres and whether you are planning a one-way route or a round trip. Check current trail conditions before setting out on a specific hike.

Cultural history connected to Orkanger

The Thamspaviljongen adds a cultural-historical perspective. It was made at Christian Thams’ Strandheim Brug in Orkanger. Today, it is a unique cultural monument and a symbol of Norwegian history, craftsmanship and community volunteer work. Its place of manufacture and its present-day significance offer two different perspectives: Orkanger is part of its production history, while history, craftsmanship and voluntary community involvement shape the monument’s significance. If you’re interested in culture, you can include this focus in your travel plans alongside the hikes. This puts outdoor activities and culture at the centre as distinct interests.

Choose a holiday rental to suit your outings

When choosing a holiday rental in Orkdal, your preferred outing can be a deciding factor. Orkanger and Fannrem are the reference points for the Orklaparken route described here; Langlidalen by Våvatnet is the starting point for the hike to Omnfjellet. These place names help you structure your plans in concrete terms, while the river, the summit and the cultural history appeal to different holiday interests. If you’d like to combine several interests, arrange your ideas according to what matters to you: a river route, a round-trip hike with a summit as its destination, or the cultural-historical connection of the Thamspaviljongen. The named locations give you points of reference for including activities in your accommodation search and choosing the focus of your stay.

Discover more places: Hoston, Fannrem, Orkanger.

Discover more destinations: Roan, Selbu, Ørland, Åfjord, Holtålen.

Go to the main travel overview: Sor-Trondelag.