Budal is a farming community with ca. 500 inhabitants in the municipality of Midtre Gauldal. The farms are scattered along the rivers of Bua and Ena. The village is known for its arts and crafts and local food. A stop in Enodden is highly recommended.
Activities
The seasonal mountain farm valleys of Budal
Seasonal mountain farming has shaped the landscape since the 1600s and there are hundreds of the small farms in the valleys leading up to the mountain. These valleys are protected landscape areas and “Selected Cultural Landscapes in Agriculture”. A great diversity of species thrives, and rare plants indicate old haymaking- and pasture fields. Some of the farms are still in active use with cattle and sheep grazing the pastures. This helps maintain the diversity and the livestock is crucial for preserving this cultural landscape.
Storbekkøya Museum Centre
This is a child friendly and exciting destination. The idyllic area is located by the riverside at the approach to Budalen Protected Landscape Area and Forollhogna National Park. There is a parking place and information site. If you want to learn more about the rich history of this landscape, take a hike on Storbekklia Cultural Trail. The museum consists of farm buildings from the early 1800s and an iron smeltery dated back to the year 200.
In summer you can buy coffee and something to eat or take part in different activities. For opening hours, visit Storbekkøya Museum Centre on Facebook.
Hike to the top
Rogneskletten
From Storbekkøya you can follow the Pilgrim Path towards the viewpoint at Rongeskletten (1019 mas.) in Forollhogna National Park. Just below the treeline, there is a seasonal mountain farm that is still in active use. Reaching the cairn at Rogneskletten you will get a view both to the north and south across the open mountain terrain. In the horizon lies the Forollhogna peak. Visit ut.no for more information.
Forollhogna
Many start their hike to the peak from the idyllic valley Synnerdalen, an area with active farming. Park on designated parking places to avoid hindering farm traffic. Be prepared to share the trail with livestock. Some animals may be curious and importunate, especially if you bring a dog. Visit ut.no for more information.
Blåora, a parklike landscape
The old tradition of pasturing and haymaking is kept alive in Budal. If you want to experience a spectacular landscape shaped by this activity, visit Blåora in Endalen. You can park your car at one of the approaches to the valley and take your bike into the cultural landscape. Biking from Enodden is also nice.
Other activities
There are several great hikes suitable for any age in Budal, both in the valleys and on the mountains. Grazing livestock add an extra dimension to the experience.
Along the rivers Bua and Ena there are many idyllic spots. You can fish in both lakes and rivers. In Bua you can fish for salmon all the way up to Storbudalen. Visiting Fisktjønna, where you can catch some good quality trout, is also recommended. For more information on fishing and hunting in Budalen, visit inatur.no.
