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Hedmark
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Explore Hedmark in eastern Norway for forest trails, Mjøsa heritage, mountain scenery, historic fortresses and winter sports around Trysil.

Hedmark is the historic name for the eastern part of Innlandet, Norway, stretching from the shores of Lake Mjøsa and the agricultural districts around Hamar into broad forest country, border landscapes and high mountain valleys. Although Hedmark county was merged with Oppland in 2020 to create Innlandet county, the name remains widely used for this distinctive cultural and geographical region. It is a destination of long distances and strong contrasts: fertile farmland around Mjøsa, deep spruce forests in the east, open uplands around Rena and Tynset, and the winter-sports resort of Trysil near the Swedish border.
Read more about Hedmark
Hamar is the principal urban centre and an important base for exploring the western part of the region. Its lakeside setting, railway connections and historic attractions make it a practical starting point, particularly for visits to Domkirkeodden, where the ruins of the medieval cathedral stand beneath a protective glass structure beside the Mjøsa shore. South-east of Hamar, the landscape becomes increasingly rural, with manor houses, grain fields and traditional farm settlements. Elverum, on the Glomma, has a strong association with forestry, timber transport and museums devoted to woodland culture. Further east, Kongsvinger is defined by its hilltop fortress and its position on historic routes towards Sweden.
The forests are not empty spaces but working cultural landscapes shaped by timber, charcoal burning, river transport and settlement. Finnskogen, along the Swedish border, preserves the legacy of Forest Finn communities who migrated westwards from Finland from the late sixteenth century onwards. Their distinctive settlement history is reflected in local place names, buildings and cultural interpretation. In the north and north-east, the terrain rises towards mountain plateaux and large protected areas, while Trysil combines a substantial ski infrastructure with access to quieter forests, rivers and cycling routes in summer.
Hedmark's food traditions reflect both its agricultural and forest economies. Grain, potatoes, dairy produce, freshwater fish, game and locally gathered berries appear in regional cooking, while farm shops and seasonal markets provide opportunities to buy products from the surrounding countryside. Outdoor travel is central to the region's character: cross-country skiing, hiking, fishing, canoeing, cycling and wildlife observation are all important, though conditions vary greatly with altitude and season. Visitors who allow time for several bases will gain a more accurate impression of Hedmark than those treating it as a short excursion from Oslo or Lillehammer.

When is the best time to visit Hedmark?

Best: June–August · 19–21°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January-340
February-235
March335
April935
May1440
June (best)1950
July (best)2160
August (best)2065
September1455
October750
November345
December-240

Getting to and around Hedmark

How to get there

Hamar and Kongsvinger can be reached by train from Oslo, with services also linking Hamar towards Lillehammer and other parts of Innlandet. Elverum is connected to the rail network through the Røros Line, although services are less frequent than on the main routes. Oslo Airport, outside Hedmark and near Gardermoen in neighbouring Akershus, is the principal international gateway for the region; from there, rail, bus and road connections continue towards Hamar, Elverum and Kongsvinger. Trysil is generally reached by road or coach, and driving is often the most flexible option for the more remote eastern and northern districts.

Transportation

Rail is useful between Hamar, Kongsvinger and selected inland towns, while buses connect larger settlements and some rural communities. Services become less frequent away from the main corridors, so a car is valuable for Finnskogen, dispersed farm attractions, trailheads and the mountain areas around Trysil and northern Hedmark. Roads are generally well maintained, but winter conditions, snow, ice and wildlife require slower driving and seasonal preparation. Cycling is rewarding on quieter rural roads and dedicated trails, while hiking routes range from accessible forest paths to remote mountain terrain where navigation and self-sufficiency matter.

Top city travel guides in Hedmark

The cities of Hedmark, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Hedmark

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Hedmark

Hedmark's attractions are spread across several contrasting landscapes rather than concentrated in one city. Around Hamar, Domkirkeodden combines medieval cathedral ruins, lakeside archaeology and museum collections in a historically important setting on the Mjøsa shore. Elverum is the region's principal centre for forestry heritage, with the Norwegian Forest Museum and Glomdalsmuseet offering insight into woodland industries, rural life and local building traditions. Kongsvinger provides a strong military and border-history focus through its hilltop fortress and historic surroundings. In the east, Finnskogen is suited to walking, cultural interpretation and quiet forest travel connected with Forest Finn settlement. Trysil is the largest outdoor centre, with extensive winter skiing and a growing summer programme of cycling, hiking and river-based activities. Northern districts offer fishing, hiking, mountain scenery and access to protected landscapes, while the agricultural areas around Mjøsa and the Glomma valley reveal a more settled side of inland Norway. Museums, farm visits, heritage rail connections, canoeing and wildlife observation add variety, but many experiences depend on the season and require advance planning for transport.

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Best landmarks in Hedmark

Domkirkeodden at Hamar is Hedmark's most recognisable historic landscape, with the substantial ruins of the medieval cathedral protected beneath a striking glass structure beside Lake Mjøsa. Kongsvinger Fortress dominates the town from its elevated position above the Glomma and remains a powerful symbol of Norway's former Swedish frontier. The Glomma itself is a major natural and cultural landmark, shaping settlement, timber transport and the identity of Elverum and other river communities. In the forest borderlands, Finnskogen is less a single monument than a broad cultural landscape associated with Forest Finn migration, traditional settlement and deep woodland routes. Trysilfjellet provides the region's best-known recreational mountain profile, its slopes transformed by winter skiing and summer trails. The open agricultural districts around Mjøsa and the long forest horizons east of the Glomma are also significant visual markers: together they show the transition from Norway's cultivated lake country to its extensive inland woodland and upland terrain.

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Explore Hedmark on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Hedmark

Hedmark's cuisine reflects the meeting of productive farmland, freshwater, forest and mountain pasture. Grain and potatoes are important agricultural products, while dairy, game, freshwater fish, mushrooms and wild berries connect menus with the surrounding landscape. Visitors may encounter traditional breads, preserved foods and hearty meat dishes alongside contemporary cooking based on local produce. Hamar and the larger towns offer the broadest choice of cafés, bakeries, restaurants and international food, while rural areas are more likely to centre on farm shops, seasonal eateries, cafés and traditional inns. Around Trysil, dining is shaped by the ski season, with informal restaurants and lodging-based meals particularly prominent in winter. Local food halls and markets, when operating, are useful places to find cheese, cured meat, bakery products, jams and other regional specialities. The strongest sense of place often comes from combining a museum or outdoor excursion with a meal or purchase from a working farm district rather than seeking a single signature dish.

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Best bars in Hedmark

Evening life in Hedmark is largely based around pubs, hotel bars, restaurants, cultural venues and seasonal activity rather than a large nightclub circuit. Hamar has the widest urban choice, including bars, cafés, live music and events associated with its student and cultural life, while Elverum and Kongsvinger offer smaller local scenes centred on central streets and established meeting places. Trysil becomes considerably busier in the winter season, when ski visitors support après-ski venues, resort bars and evening entertainment, although the character varies between the main resort areas and quieter villages. In rural districts, traditional pubs, restaurants and community events are more typical than late-night clubs. Local breweries and Norwegian alcohol regulations are part of the wider national context, and visitors should expect high prices and limited late transport outside the main towns. Checking current listings is important because smaller venues and seasonal programming can change.

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Best nightclubs in Hedmark

Evening life in Hedmark is largely based around pubs, hotel bars, restaurants, cultural venues and seasonal activity rather than a large nightclub circuit. Hamar has the widest urban choice, including bars, cafés, live music and events associated with its student and cultural life, while Elverum and Kongsvinger offer smaller local scenes centred on central streets and established meeting places. Trysil becomes considerably busier in the winter season, when ski visitors support après-ski venues, resort bars and evening entertainment, although the character varies between the main resort areas and quieter villages. In rural districts, traditional pubs, restaurants and community events are more typical than late-night clubs. Local breweries and Norwegian alcohol regulations are part of the wider national context, and visitors should expect high prices and limited late transport outside the main towns. Checking current listings is important because smaller venues and seasonal programming can change.

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Best shops in Hedmark

Shopping in Hedmark is strongest in the larger centres of Hamar, Elverum and Kongsvinger, where visitors find ordinary high-street retail, supermarkets, cafés, bookshops and practical outdoor equipment. The main regional character comes from farm shops, seasonal markets, craft outlets and museum shops rather than luxury shopping. Look for local cheese, cured meats, breads, preserves, berry products and other foods from the agricultural districts around Mjøsa and the river valleys. Forestry and rural heritage museums often provide context for traditional tools, woollen goods, woodwork and locally themed gifts, while shops in Trysil naturally emphasise ski equipment, outdoor clothing and cycling products. Finnskogen and other rural areas may have small-scale craft and produce sales, but opening arrangements vary and should be checked locally. Norwegian design goods and outdoor clothing are widely available, yet the most region-specific purchases are generally edible produce, practical woollens, woodcraft and books about Hedmark's landscape and history.

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Hedmark essentials

Currency and Payment
Hedmark uses Norway's national currency, the Norwegian krone, abbreviated NOK. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in towns, hotels, transport services, museums and larger shops, and Norway is highly accustomed to electronic payment. Carrying a small amount of cash can still be useful for occasional rural purchases, unattended facilities, local stalls or situations with weak mobile coverage. Prices for food, accommodation and activities can be high by international standards, particularly in Trysil during the winter season.
Safety
Hedmark is generally straightforward for visitors, but its size and sparsely populated landscapes require sensible planning. Check weather and trail conditions before hiking, tell someone about longer outings and carry suitable clothing, food, water and navigation equipment. Forest and mountain areas may have limited mobile coverage. Drivers should expect icy roads in winter, sudden changes in visibility and animals near the carriageway. Around rivers and lakes, follow local advice about currents, ice and water levels, and use appropriate safety equipment for boating, fishing or cycling.
Emergency Situations
Norway's national emergency number is 112 for police, 110 for fire and 113 for medical emergencies. The European emergency number 112 can also connect callers to the appropriate service. Give a precise location, especially when in a forest, mountain or trail area, and use the Hjelp 113 app or local map references if available. For serious incidents in remote terrain, emergency services can coordinate rescue resources, but visitors should not rely on rescue as a substitute for weather checks, route planning and suitable equipment.
Do's and Don'ts
Follow Norway's outdoor access principles by leaving gates as found, keeping dogs under control where required, taking rubbish away and respecting cultivated land, wildlife and private property. Do not assume that every forest track is suitable for a vehicle, and check local restrictions before lighting a fire or camping. In museums, churches and historic sites, follow photography and preservation rules. Queueing, punctuality and consideration for other passengers are valued nationally, while tipping is discretionary rather than an obligation; in restaurants, rounding up or adding a modest amount is sufficient when service merits it.
Local Tips
Use Hamar for Mjøsa heritage and rail access, Elverum for forestry museums and Glomma landscapes, Kongsvinger for frontier history, and Trysil for an extensive network of winter and summer outdoor activities. Rural shops and services may close earlier than international visitors expect, so stock up before heading into forest or mountain districts. Summer days are long, but weather remains changeable; winter brings reliable darkness, snow and cold, with transport and activity arrangements varying by season. Ask local visitor centres about current trail, road and fire conditions.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHei[hay]
GoodbyeHa det[ha deh]
YesJa[yah]
NoNei[nay]
Please/You're welcomeVær så snill/Ingen årsak[vaer so snil/ingen or-sak]
Thank youTakk[tahk]
Excuse me/SorryUnnskyld meg[oon-shild my]
How are you?Hvordan har du det?[vor-dahn har du deh]
Fine. And you?Bra. Og du?[bra. oh du?]
Do you speak English?Snakker du engelsk?[snak-er du eng-elsk?]
I don't understandJeg forstår ikke[yai for-stor ik-keh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJeg vil gjerne se menyen, vær så snill[yai vil yair-ne se men-yen, vaer so snil]
I don't eat meatJeg spiser ikke kjøtt[yai spee-ser ik-keh kyett]
Cheers!Skål![skawl]
I would like to pay, pleaseJeg vil gjerne betale, vær så snill[yai vil yair-ne be-ta-leh, vaer so snil]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjelp![yelp]
Go away!Gå vekk![go vek]
Call the Police!Ring politiet![ring poh-li-teh]
Call a doctor!Ring en lege![ring en leh-geh]
I'm lostJeg har gått meg bort[yai har got meg bort]
I'm illJeg er syk[yai air seek]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Jeg vil gjerne kjøpe...[yai vil yair-ne kyuh-peh...]
I'm just lookingJeg bare ser[yai bar-eh sehr]
How much is it?Hvor mye koster det?[vor mye kost-er deh?]
That's too expensiveDet er for dyrt[deh air for deert]
Can you lower the price?Kan du senke prisen?[kan du sen-keh pree-sen?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hva er klokka?[vah air klohk-ka]
It's one o'clockDen er ett[den air ett]
Half past (10)Halv elleve[halv el-leh-veh]
MorningMorgen[mor-gen]
AfternoonEttermiddag[et-ter-mid-dahg]
EveningKveld[kveld]
YesterdayI går[ee gor]
TodayI dag[ee dahg]
TomorrowI morgen[ee mor-gen]
11[en]
22[to]
33[tre]
44[fire]
55[fem]
66[seks]
77[sju]
88[åtte]
99[ni]
1010[ti]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Hvor er en/den...?[vor air en/den...?]
What's the address?Hva er adressen?[vah air ad-reh-sen?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kan du vise meg (på kartet)?[kan du vee-seh my (po kar-tet)?]
When's the next (bus)?Når går neste (buss)?[nor gor nes-teh (boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)En billett (til ....)[en bee-lett (til ....)]

History of Hedmark

Early settlement and Iron Age landscapes

People have lived around the fertile shores of Mjøsa and along the major river valleys since prehistoric times. The combination of arable land, water routes and woodland resources supported farming communities, while burial mounds and other archaeological remains reveal changing social organisation during the Iron Age. The Glomma and its tributaries provided routes through the interior, connecting settlements with wider networks in eastern Scandinavia. Hedmark's later importance was therefore built on an ancient relationship between cultivated lowlands, river corridors and the extensive forests beyond them.

Medieval Hamar and the Christian kingdom

Medieval Hamar became one of Norway's important ecclesiastical centres, with a cathedral and bishopric established during the Christianisation and consolidation of the kingdom. The cathedral precinct at Domkirkeodden illustrates the scale of the settlement and its links with church administration, trade and royal authority. Hamar's influence declined after the Reformation and subsequent political changes, but the surviving cathedral ruins and museum landscape remain the clearest physical reminder of the region's medieval religious importance.

Forest Finn migration, sixteenth to nineteenth centuries

From the late sixteenth century, Forest Finn migrants from eastern Finland settled in parts of the wooded borderlands between Norway and Sweden. They adapted to the forest environment through distinctive farming methods, including slash-and-burn cultivation, alongside hunting, fishing and later small-scale agriculture. Finnskogen became the best-known Norwegian area associated with this history. Over time, communities became integrated into wider Norwegian society, yet buildings, traditions, surnames and cultural interpretation continue to document the migration and its lasting contribution to eastern Norway.

Kongsvinger Fortress and the Swedish frontier

The border with Sweden gave eastern Norway considerable military importance. Kongsvinger Fortress, developed from the late seventeenth century on a strategic height above the Glomma, guarded routes into the interior and formed part of Norway's defensive system during periods of rivalry with Sweden. The fortress was involved in several campaigns and remained a military site for centuries. Its walls, views over the river valley and associated townscape make the frontier history of Hedmark especially tangible.

Timber, rivers and industrial transformation

Forestry became one of Hedmark's defining industries as timber was harvested, floated along rivers and processed in sawmills and later more mechanised enterprises. The Glomma and other waterways were crucial transport corridors before railways and roads changed the movement of wood and people. Elverum developed a particularly strong forestry identity, reflected in museums and surviving industrial heritage. Timber wealth also influenced settlement patterns, local businesses and the architecture of many towns and farm districts.

Railways, modern towns and national infrastructure

Railway construction in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries connected Hamar, Elverum, Kongsvinger and other inland communities with Oslo and the wider national economy. Rail access strengthened agriculture, forestry, trade and population centres while reducing reliance on seasonal river transport. The railway remains important for visitors, particularly on routes serving Hamar and Kongsvinger. Modern roads, ski tourism and outdoor recreation have since added new economic roles without replacing the region's agricultural and forestry foundations.

Hedmark during the Second World War

The region was directly involved in Norway's response to the German invasion in April 1940. Elverum became a temporary centre of national government activity, and the nearby Midtskogen fighting involved Norwegian forces resisting an attempt to capture King Haakon VII and members of the government. The events demonstrated the strategic importance of the inland routes and forests east of Mjøsa. Memorials and museums across the region preserve aspects of this period, which remains a significant part of modern Hedmark's political and military history.

From Hedmark county to Innlandet

Hedmark existed as a county until 2020, when it was merged with Oppland to form Innlandet county. The administrative change did not erase the historic region's cultural or geographical identity. Hamar, Elverum, Kongsvinger and Trysil continue to function as recognisable centres within the former Hedmark area, while local history, dialect, landscape and travel patterns distinguish it from the former Oppland districts to the west. Visitors may therefore encounter both the modern county name, Innlandet, and the enduring regional name, Hedmark.

Hedmark in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Hedmark, Norway

Discover Hedmark like never before with Evendo, the 100% free travel guide app covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • High-quality images and descriptions.
  • Local tips and advice.
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Unlock the wonders of Hedmark with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app. Explore attractions, book tours, and experience local culture—all for free!

  • Interactive maps and contact details.
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
  • History of Hedmark and travel essentials.
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature.
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience.

Planning a trip to Hedmark, Norway? Make the most of your journey with Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app designed to enrich your travel experiences. From iconic landmarks like the magnificent Domkirkeodden to the serene beauty of Lake Mjøsa, Evendo covers all the must-see attractions.

Explore Hedmark's vibrant dining scene with recommendations for top restaurants such as Hamarstua Spiseri and Valuta Bar, offering authentic Norwegian cuisine. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or foodie, Evendo provides curated local tips to help you experience Hedmark like a native.

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Navigate with ease using our 'Near Me' feature, ensuring you never miss out on nearby points of interest. Evendo isn't just a guide to Hedmark; it’s a gateway to over 7,000 destinations worldwide. Download now and have the world at your fingertips, all for free!

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