Rondeslottet
2,178 m
Norway
Also known as Рондслотет, RondslottetAlso known as
Рондслотет · Rondslottet
- Elevation
- 2,178 m
- Prominence
- 1,231 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
NoticeReported 1 Apr 2026
The self-service section of Rondvassbu closed permanently after Easter 2026 under the government's wild reindeer action plan, so there is no overnight option when the lodge is unstaffed. The source gives only 'after Easter 2026'; dated here to 1 April 2026.
ut.noRegulationReported 5 Jul 2026
Night-time parking (23:00–06:00) at Spranget is banned from 5 July 2026.
dnt.no
Routes
1Sources differ: Ekstra krevende (extra demanding), DNT-marked (ut.no)
The standard way up Rondane's highest peak: 6 km on foot or by hire bike from Spranget to the DNT lodge Rondvassbu, then a marked path up Rondholet, a steep boulder slope to Vinjeronden (2,044 m), a drop of about 100 m into a notch and a final ridge to the big summit cairn. Two 2,000 m summits in one day; about 7 hours return from Rondvassbu.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 12.3 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,243 m
- −149 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,178 m
- Time Up
- 5h 59m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 34m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the summer car park at Spranget (about 1,080 m, toll road from Mysusæter) walk or cycle the 6 km track north to Rondvassbu at the south end of Rondvatnet (about 1.5 hours on foot); hire bikes are available at Spranget and Rondvassbu. From the lodge, follow the DNT-marked path steeply north-east towards Rondholet. Pass the junction for Storronden and continue into Rondholet, the valley between Storronden and Vinjeronden, where the gradient eases. At the head of Rondholet, at the saddle towards Storbotn (about 1,760 m), the path turns north and climbs a very steep slope of loose boulders along the ridge to Vinjeronden (2,044 m). From here descend steeply north into a notch at about 1,940 m, then climb steeply again among large boulders on the ridge between the corries Storbotn and Styggebotn; it eases onto flat slabs and leads to the large summit cairn. The ridge is pleasant but drops sharply into the corries on both sides, so keep away from the edges. Return the same way (Storronden, 2,138 m, can be added from the Rondholet junction) or descend east to Bjørnhollia, about 5 hours. The route is exposed to wind and weather; snow can fall in midsummer and makes the boulders very slippery.
Start
Spranget1,081 m
- Train to Otta; in high season (roughly 20 June–15 August) bus 05-658 runs from Otta station to Spranget (19 km). Taxi from Otta otherwise.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spranget → Rondeslottet | 12.3 | 1,243 | 149 | 5h 59m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Spranget1,081 m
- Hut: Rondvassbu1,169 m
- Shoulder: Vinjeronden2,041 m
- Summit: Rondeslottet2,178 m
Key Passages
- Steep boulder slope from Rondholet to Vinjeronden
- Descent into the notch north of Vinjeronden
- Ridge between Storbotn and Styggebotn
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
The highest peak in Rondane (2,178 m), Norway's oldest national park, and the highest point east of Gudbrandsdalen. A DNT-marked boulder path from the Rondvassbu lodge crosses Vinjeronden on the way, giving two 2,000 m summits and deep corries on every side.
Rondeslottet ('the Ronde castle', also spelled Rondslottet) rises above Rondvatnet in the heart of Rondane National Park, Norway's oldest national park. It is the highest of the park's ten summits above 2,000 m and the most visited, with about 1,230 m of prominence. The mountains here are rounded domes of grey, lichen-covered boulders cut by deep glacial corries such as Storbotn and Styggebotn.
The standard route starts at Spranget, 6 km south of the DNT lodge Rondvassbu, and follows a marked path through Rondholet, up a steep boulder slope to Vinjeronden (2,044 m) and along a ridge to the summit's large cairn. It is a long but non-technical day: about 12 km and 1,150 m of ascent return from Rondvassbu, plus the approach. The view reaches over much of central Norway, with Dovrefjell, Jotunheimen and the rest of Rondane in sight.
Rondane is a core area for wild reindeer, and access rules have tightened to protect them: the self-service part of Rondvassbu closed permanently after Easter 2026, night-time parking at Spranget is banned from July 2026, and visitors are asked not to hike before the lodge opens in June, during calving.
Climbing Notes
A fit hiker takes 5–8 hours return from Rondvassbu, plus 1–2 hours each way on foot from Spranget (less with a hire bike). There are no technical difficulties, but long stretches of loose boulders demand care and good boots, and the ridge is exposed to wind. Check the forecast: snow can fall in midsummer and makes the rocks very slippery. Staying at Rondvassbu (128 beds, staffed) allows an early start and other 2,000 m peaks the next day; book ahead, especially at autumn weekends. Rondvassbu runs guided trips to several summits. In winter the peak is a long ski-mountaineering trip for experienced parties.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; Rondvassbu closed, long ski approach
- Feb
- Winter; Rondvassbu closed
- Mar
- Rondvassbu opens for the winter season (early March to Easter); ski ascents for experienced parties
- Apr
- Winter conditions; lodge closes after Easter
- May
- Reindeer calving; visitors asked not to hike before Rondvassbu opens
- Jun
- Spranget road usually opens 15 June; lodge opens mid-June; snow patches
- Jul
- Peak season; bus from Otta in the summer holidays
- Aug
- Peak season
- Sep
- Lodge closes mid-September (13 September in 2026); first snow possible
- Oct
- Spranget road open until about 1 November, weather permitting; no lodge, wintry
Access & Permits
- Permits
- Rondane National Park permit for organised tripsOptional
Trips announced or marketed in advance need a permit from the national park board; private trips with family and friends do not.
rondane-dovre.no
- Hut Booking
- Rondvassbu (DNT Oslo og Omegn, 128 beds, staffed only) can be booked at hyttebestilling.dnt.no/hytte/101111; walk-ins are guaranteed at least a mattress.
- Fees
- Toll on Tjønnbakkvegen from Mysusæter to Spranget: NOK 50 (coins or card)
- Hire bikes Spranget–Rondvassbu: NOK 130 adults, NOK 80 children under 15, one way (Vipps)
- Rules
- Rondane National Park: no cars beyond Spranget
- Night-time parking at Spranget banned between 23:00 and 06:00 from 5 July 2026; overnight visitors should park at Mysusæter
- Wild reindeer area: visitors are asked not to hike before Rondvassbu opens, during calving
- Getting There
Otta
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL)
- Train to Otta (Dovrebanen); in high season (about 20 June–15 August) a bus runs from Otta station to Spranget, 19 km; taxi otherwise (about NOK 450–600)
- Car: E6 to just south of Otta, Fv44 up to Mysusæter, then the Tjønnbakkvegen toll road to Spranget (open about 15 June–1 November)
Hazards
- Weather
- Exposure
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,173 m
RondvassbuHutStaffed
128 beds · Staffed early March to Easter and mid-June to mid-September; closed 13 September 2026 to 26 February 2027; no self-service section