Dovrefjell and the Musk Oxen

Dovrefjell is a broad high plateau that Norwegians hold almost sacred, the mountain in the national oath, and it is the last place in Europe where herds of musk oxen, shaggy survivors of the Ice Age, roam free. The wooden Snohetta viewpoint pavilion looks out over the tundra toward the peak the animals are named for.

What you actually see

• Musk oxen - the huge, shaggy Ice Age grazers, seen on foot or a guided safari.
• The Snohetta viewpoint - the sculptural wooden pavilion framing the mountain.
• The high tundra - the open Arctic-like plateau, rich in wild reindeer and birds.
• Snohetta peak - the great mountain rising over the plateau.

When to go

Summer for safe walking on the tundra and the best chance of musk oxen; the animals are present year-round but the plateau is harsh in winter. Guided safaris improve the odds of a sighting.

Honest expectations

Musk oxen are wild, powerful and can charge, so you must keep a long, safe distance, and a guided trip is both safer and more likely to find them. Sightings are never guaranteed on a casual walk. The plateau weather is exposed and turns quickly.

Nearby

The Dombas and Oppdal railway towns are gateways; the Trollstigen road and the fjords lie to the west.