Skip to content
Voykit
Back to Hemsedal

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Include in the print. Unchecked sections stay on screen, dimmed, and drop out of the PDF.

Voykit pocket guide · Norway

Hemsedal

Spend 2–3 days: ski the Alpine resort in winter or hike the mountain trails in summer; day‑trip to fjords is easy.

Hemsedal is a small valley town with Norway's second‑largest alpine ski area (42 slopes, 22 lifts) and extensive summer trail networks. It lies 3–4 h by road from Oslo, making it a convenient base for ski or hike focused stays of 2–3 days, with day trips to nearby fjords and mountains.

OsloÅlesundÅlgårdAltaÅndalsnes and Romsdal…ArendalÅsAskimAskøyAureAverøyBalestrandBardufossBarentsburgHemsedal500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Norway
Best months
Dec–Mar for skiing; Jun–Aug for hiking and fishing
Avoid
Late winter storms can close lifts (check local forecast)
Stay
2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
NOK
Money
Currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK, kr); the euro is not used. About 11.5 NOK to €1 — check.
Daily spend
Budget kr 800–1 200 excl. bed · Mid kr 1 200–1 800 excl. bed · High kr 1 800+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
EEA roaming applies: EU and EEA SIMs work at home prices.
Emergency
Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110
Plugs
Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
Tipping
Restaurant: Included; round up or add 5–10% for good service.; Café and bar: Nothing expected.; Taxi: Round up.; Guides: Optional.
Water
Tap water is excellent; streams in the mountains are usually drinkable, but avoid water below farms and grazing.
Toilets
Free or card-paid (NOK 10–20) in towns; trailheads often have pit toilets.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Beer (pub, 0.5 l)kr 80–120
Coffee (café)kr 30–50
Ski lift ticket (1 day)kr 350–450
Fishing permit (5 h)kr 120

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

OSL · Oslo Gardermoen Airport
about 3.5 h drive (≈240 km (149 mi)) to Hemsedal

Typical fares

Oslo → Hemsedal (Norway Bus Express)
about kr 600 one‑way, 3–4 h drive
Hemsedal ski‑bus (winter, free)
free with lift ticket
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Free ski‑bus serves lifts in winter; taxis are pricey; a car is practical for summer and day trips. Parking is free except winter at Gravset.

See and do

Known for

  • Alpine skiing (second largest in Norway)
  • Hiking and mountain biking
  • Fly fishing on the Hemsila river

Day trips

WhereHowTime
SognefjordCar, about 1 h drive via Rv7≈1 h
Flåm (Sognefjord)Car, about 2 h via Rv7 and E16≈2 h
Hardangervidda plateauCar, 1–1.5 h via Rv7≈1.5 h
Jotunheimen National ParkCar, 1–1.5 h via Rv7 and local roads≈1.5 h

Sleep

Fossheim Hotell
Town‑centre, restaurant and ski‑in/ski‑out access
Skogstad Hotell
Largest hotel, two restaurants, micro‑brewery, wellness
Skarsnuten Hotel
Mountain lodge with ski‑in/ski‑out, good views
Harahorn Hotell
Group‑friendly, 1100 m altitude, near Solheisen
Moen Camping
Year‑round campground, cabins, caravan sites

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryUnnskyldoon-skyl
Thank youTakktahk
How much is it?Hvor mye koster det?vohr mee-eh koh-ster deh
Do you speak English?Snakker du engelsk?snah-ker du eng-elsk
Where is the bus stop?Hvor er busstoppet?vohr er boos-stohp-et
Can I pay by card?Kan jeg betale med kort?kahn yay beh-tah-leh med kort

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake, first names; avoid: Small talk that is too personal
  • Nature: Greet other hikers, close gates, carry litter out; avoid: Loud music on trails
  • Home visit: Shoes off; bring flowers or chocolates; 'takk for maten' after the meal; avoid: Arriving late
  • Conversation: Modest, factual, humorous; avoid: Showing off wealth — Norwegians are rich but understated
  • 17 May: Dress up, join the crowds, wave a flag; avoid: Treating the parades as a tourist show
  • Queues: Take a number; avoid: Pushing in

Scams and watch-outs

  • Bus timetables vary by season – check Norway Bus Express routes
  • Taxi fares are high; budget accordingly
  • Parking at Gravset is paid in winter

Generally safe; watch icy roads in winter and keep valuables secure in crowded areas.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Hemsedal yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Alpine skiing (second largest in Norway)
  • Hiking and mountain biking
  • Fly fishing on the Hemsila river

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Hemsedal

Til denne adressen, takk

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Oslo; other embassies in Oslo.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/hemsedal). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.