This 17th-century mining town in central Norway has 80 wooden buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. Its copper mines operated for 333 years until 1977.
In the mountain town of Røros, you'll walk past black-painted wooden houses from the 1700s, smell fresh pastries from local bakeries, and perhaps see locals gliding through snowy streets on kick-sledges in winter. You can explore the former copper mines, shop at Norway's largest Christmas market, taste cheese from nearby farms, and hike in two national parks.
Getting to Røros
Trains run from Oslo (5 hours) and Trondheim (2.5 hours), passing mountains, forests, and small villages along the way. Regular flights connect Røros Airport with Oslo. The town center is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore once you arrive.
Walking Through the Old Town
More than 80 wooden houses from the 1700s line the streets of central Røros, their dark pitch-log facades creating rows of black-painted buildings against the mountain backdrop. Walk down the main shopping street, Kjerkgata, to see many of these preserved buildings. The old Røros Church, known as Bergstadens Ziir, stands in the center with its copper-green spire visible throughout town.
Local Food Scene
Many farms around Røros make their own food products. You can try traditional dishes like Pjalt (flat pastry) with brown cheese, fermented fish (rakfisk), and reindeer meat. Visit Eggen Gardsysteri and Galåvolden Gård to taste their locally-made cheeses and dairy products. In summer, you can join food safaris that take you to various farms and producers in the region.
Winter in Røros
Snow typically covers Røros from November to April, and locals use kick-sledges called "spark" to move around town. The Røros Winter Market, held for five days from the last Tuesday in February, brings 60,000-70,000 visitors with horse sleigh rides, outdoor markets, and traditional food stalls. In December, the Christmas market fills the main street with craft vendors and food stalls.
Exploring the Surroundings
Femundsmarka and Forollhogna national parks border Røros. In Femundsmarka, you can hike along marked trails past lakes and through pine forests, while Forollhogna has paths leading to peaks with views over the mountain plateau. Both parks have good spots for fishing in summer and cross-country skiing trails in winter.
Mining History
The Røros Museum, in the former copper smelter, shows how miners worked from 1644 to 1977. You can walk through the smelting halls, see original mining equipment, and scan QR codes outside the museum buildings to learn about specific mining operations. The museum includes outdoor installations showing the scale of the mining operations that shaped this mountain town.
