If you love clean Nordic design and big mountain views, Viewpoint Snøhetta delivers both in one easy walk. Perched above the E6 highway at Hjerkinn on Dovrefjell, this sculptural pavilion frames the mighty Snøhetta massif and the wild reindeer range that surrounds it. Designed by Norwegian architects Snøhetta, the building lives up to its name, with a raw steel skin outside, a warm carved timber interior, and a floor to ceiling window that turns the landscape into living art.
Short answer to the most common question: yes, it is open to the public in summer, free to visit, and just a 20 to 30 minute walk on a well made path from the parking area. There is usually a toll for the access road and parking, and the site closes for winter once snow returns, typically in October.
If that sounds like your kind of stop between Oslo and Trondheim, or a worthy inland detour from the fjords, keep going. Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of Viewpoint Snøhetta.
What Exactly Is Viewpoint Snøhetta
Viewpoint Snøhetta, also known as Tverrfjellhytta and the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion, is a small shelter built as a low impact place to experience Dovrefjell without disturbing sensitive reindeer habitat. The interior is a single sculpted timber form that feels like sitting inside a warm drift of wood, while the giant glass front opens toward the four peaked Snøhetta mountain. It is an architectural destination in its own right as well as a nature viewpoint, the kind of place where families, photographers, and design lovers all linger for different reasons and leave equally happy.
When Is It Open
The pavilion follows the mountain seasons. Opening is roughly from early June until mid October, with 24 hour access during the summer period. Exact dates shift with snowfall and melt, so if you are traveling in early June or toward the end of October, check current status before you drive up. Winter closure protects the reindeer and keeps visitors out of harsh conditions that roll in quickly on this high plateau.
Where It Is and How To Get There
You will find the access road just outside Hjerkinn, right off the E6 between Dombås and Oppdal. From the E6, a short signed spur road leads to the Viewpoint Snøhetta parking area. There is typically a toll for the road and parking, paid digitally, and then you continue on foot. The drive is straightforward in summer. In shoulder seasons, keep an eye on forecasts before crossing the mountain corridors since weather can change fast on Dovrefjell.
Public transport is possible with a bit of planning. Long distance buses and trains serve the Dovre area, and Hjerkinn is the closest hub. From there, you can taxi to the trailhead. Expect limited frequency compared with Norway’s bigger destinations, so plan connections in advance and give yourself buffer time for the return.
The Walk: Short, Scenic, And Worth It
From the parking area, it is about 1.5 kilometers each way on a gently rising gravel path to the pavilion. Most visitors take 20 to 30 minutes one way. The path is well built, with broad gravel and occasional board sections that protect the tundra. It is not a technical hike, yet the feeling of being in real mountain country arrives fast. I have brought visiting grandparents and grade schoolers on the same afternoon and both groups loved it, which says a lot about the accessibility of the experience.
Accessibility Notes
This is one of the rare high country viewpoints where wheelchair users and families with strollers regularly make the trip. The surface is mostly smooth gravel without steps or big obstacles, although gradients and weather can still make it challenging. Pick a day with good conditions and bring a helper if needed. The pavilion itself provides shelter from wind, and the wide interior bench makes it easy to rest while taking in the view.
What You Will See
On calm days the view reads like a textbook of Norwegian mountain geology. You look across the broad Dovrefjell plateau toward the pyramid like crowns of Snøhetta. Light shifts quickly up here, so the same scene can feel crisp and blue one moment, then dramatic under low clouds the next. The pavilion acts like a picture frame that turns the entire massif into a living mural. On clear evenings, the low sun warms the peaks and the valley below takes on soft gold and purple tones that feel almost unreal.
Wildlife belongs to this landscape. The area is known for wild reindeer and musk ox. You might spot animals at great distance, which is why binoculars are worth the tiny space in your daypack. If you hope to see musk ox up close, book a guided trek elsewhere on the plateau rather than trying your luck near the viewpoint. Guides know how to read animal behavior and keep safe distances, which is essential with such powerful creatures.
Local Etiquette And Wildlife Care
You are visiting one of Europe’s last wild reindeer ranges. Keep to the marked path and lower your voice at the viewpoint. Dogs must be on a leash at all times in the open mountain season to protect wildlife and birds that nest on the ground. Drones can disturb animals and other visitors, so skip them in this area. Small choices like these keep the site open and welcoming for everyone.
Weather And What To Pack
Dovrefjell sits high and exposed. Even in July you can step out of a warm car into wind and air in the mid 40s to mid 50s Fahrenheit. Pack a windproof layer, warm hat, and shoes with grip. The path is not technical, but it can be wet after rain. A light pair of gloves and a thin fleece make a big difference if a breeze picks up while you sit in the pavilion. If the forecast shows low cloud, do not write the trip off. The carved interior and shifting weather are part of the charm. If thunderstorms are forecast, wait them out at lower elevation and return when conditions stabilize.
Practicalities On Site
- Parking and toll: Expect a digital toll for the access road and a fee for parking near the trailhead. Have a phone and card ready. Admission to the viewpoint itself is free.
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day during the summer period. Many locals stop late evening when bus groups are gone and the light turns golden. Closed in winter.
- Facilities: There are basic services in Hjerkinn and at nearby lodges. At the viewpoint, the amenity is the shelter itself. Bring water and snacks, and carry out everything you bring in.
- Rangers and hosts: In high season you often meet friendly nature interpreters during daytime. They are happy to answer questions about the reindeer range and the building.
Pair It With A Musk Ox Safari Or A Short Hike
If you want more time on the plateau, book a guided musk ox trek from Hjerkinn or Oppdal. These guided walks typically last several hours and maintain proper distance from the animals while still giving you a good chance of sightings. If you prefer to walk on your own, there are mellow loop routes near Hjerkinn that link to other vantage points. Always bring a small mountain kit that includes extra layers, water, snacks, and a map or offline app. Weather systems move quickly here, and a sunny start can turn to showers in an hour.
Getting There From Oslo, Trondheim, Or The Fjords
By car from Oslo, allow about 4.5 to 5.5 hours via the E6 to Dombås and onward to Hjerkinn. From Trondheim, plan around 3 to 3.5 hours south on the E6. Coming from Fjord Norway, cross via routes like E136 or Rv70 to meet the E6 near Dombås. Traffic in July and early August is steady but rarely stressful. In spring and autumn, check road conditions before crossing the mountain passes since sleet and fog can appear even when towns below feel like a different season.
Where To Sleep And Eat Nearby
Hjerkinn has a small cluster of classic mountain lodges and cabin style stays that know how to feed hikers and keep them dry. Expect simple rooms, hearty dinners, and breakfast buffets that set you up for long days outside. Dombås to the south and Oppdal to the north both offer more choice if you want supermarkets, gear shops, and extra dining options. Book ahead for July weekends and the first half of August, especially if you need family rooms.
A Few Insider Tips From Someone Who Grew Up With These Mountains
- If you can, time your visit for late evening in clear weather. The low sun sets the Snøhetta peaks aglow and the path is often quiet.
- Bring binoculars for distant wildlife and a small microfiber cloth to clear the pavilion window if there is mist.
- If you arrive to wind and drizzle, do not bail at the car park. The pavilion was made for days like that, and the mood inside can be unforgettable.
- Watch for early June or mid October shoulder season closures. The team up here follows the snow, not the calendar.
- Families, pack a simple hot chocolate in a thermos. Ten minutes of warm sweetness inside that wooden amphitheater is a guaranteed memory.
Why It Belongs On Your Norway Itinerary
Viewpoint Snøhetta is the rare place where design, easy access, and true wilderness meet without fuss. In a single short walk you step into high country, learn about an ancient reindeer culture that still shapes this plateau, and sit in a piece of Norwegian architecture that respects the land it celebrates. If you are driving the E6 between Oslo and Trondheim, or passing through the inland on a longer loop, give yourself the hour. The view tends to stay with you much longer.