What are the main attractions in Orkanger?
Orkdal valley is home to the small town of Orkanger and several interesting historic attractions – many from the period of the industrial revolution and Second World War. In the summertime, we recommend a guided tour in The Norway Building, right across the street of Baardshaug and an outing on the historic Thamshavn railway and the mines in Løkken.
Local food, outdoor activities and shopping
The valley has abundant agriculture and many small-scale food producers supplying us with top quality produce. Some of the small-scale producers are open for group visits and some have small shops with local produce. You may enjoy local produce prepared by our skilled chefs in Restaurant Ministeren.
If you enjoy outdoor activities, you can go salmon fishing in Orkla, one of the prime salmon fishing rivers in Norway. You will also find many easily accessible hiking trails right on your doorstep, one of which runs along the river.
Bårdshaug Herregård is centrally located in Orkanger, where you will find enjoyable shops, a shopping centre, cafés and cultural attractions, all within walking distance.
THAMSHAVN RAILWAY
Take place in one of the carriages on the historic Thamshavn Railway, and let the feeling of former times follow you all the way from Orkanger to Løkken. “Thamshavnbanen” was Norways first electric railway, opened by his Majesty King Haakon 7th in 1908. It was build to transport materials and workers all the way from the Orkdal fjord, up the valley to the Løkken Mine, and to bring copper from the Løkken Mine to Thamshavn. Today the railway is the worlds oldest railway running on alternating current.
In summer the Thamshavn Railway runs scheduled trips from Bårdshaug (Orkanger) to Løkken on Saturdays and Sundays.
LØKKEN MINES
The history of the Løkken Mines is a fascinating story of pure luck, hard working people and rich Scandinavian Dynasties during the second industrial revoluton. In The Old Mines of Løkken, you enter a hidden and very different world. The air is cool and smells of stone, the paths are narrow and dark. When the mountain is lit, you may see beautiful colors. The Old Mine has a large underground cavern, Fagerlisalen, where the miners once worked. It is also appropriately known as the ‘Cathedral of labour and toil’. There, miners would have strived to earn their living by extracting the ore from the hard rock.
Orkla Industrial Museum runs guided tour in the Løkken Mines all summer. Available on request for groups all year.
HIKING AND WALKING
Bårdshaug Herregård is a great starting point for a walk along the banks of the river Orkla. A well kept, car-free, path takes you all the way up to Fannrem or down to the fjord – the choice is yours. If you stay here with us, we’ll be happy to lend you bikes.* That way you can travel further in shorter time. If you decide to go to Fannrem, make sure you visit the charming Fannrem Farm, and their shop Reinhekla. If you head for the fjord, we strongly recommend a pause in the relaxing “Gammelosen”. Here you find Orkangers “City Beach” that a lot of locals use during summer (if the weather’s warm enough).
Orkangers neighbourhood close to the sea has a lot of old, charming houses. You may also come across info-signs along the road telling you the story of old buildings and life back in the days.
*Limited availability
THE NORWAY BUILDING
After 123 years in the United States The Norway Building is back on home turf, at Orkanger where it was built in 1893. It is modeled after the classic Norwegian stave churches of the Middle Ages, and served as Norway’s Pavilion at The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. From 1936 The Norway Building was the main attraction at Little Norway.
The tale of the building is closely linked to industrialist and architect Christian Thams. The Norway Building is now centrally located in Orkanger, close to Bårdshaug Herregård, Christian Thams’ mansion. Nearby is also Thamshavnbanen, the world’s oldest railway running on alternating current and still in operation.
Guided tours are offered throughout the summer.
SALMON FISHING
Right next to Bårdshaug Herregård you’ll find one of Norways best salmon rivers. The water here is clean and cold, and in season it holds some of the world freshest salmon. You may fish several places in Orkla River in season. Bårdshaug Herregård has a private fishing field, Fandrem 1 and Gjelørene, just 3 km from the hotel in beautiful natural surroundings. On the wide river banks you will find benches and a wooden shelter.
We would be happy to tailor a package for you or your group, whether you want to go fishing alone or as part of a group. Here you can have the best of two worlds; comfortable living, good food and wine matched with fresh air, silence, nature and fishing – what’s not to like?
THAMSHAVN RAILWAY
Take place in the historic Thamshavn Railway, and let the feeling of former times take you all the way from Orkanger to Løkken. “Thamshavnbanen” was Norways first electric railway, opened by his Majesty King Haakon 7th in 1908. It was build to transport materials and workers all the way from the Orkdal fjord, up the valley to the Løkken Mine, and to bring copper from the Løkken Mine to Thamshavn. Today the railway is the worlds oldest railway running on alternating current.
In summer the Thamshavn Railway runs scheduled trips from Bårdshaug (Orkanger) to Løkken on Saturdays and Sundays.
LØKKEN MINES
The history of the Løkken Mines is a fascinating story of pure luck, hard working people and rich Scandinavian Dynasties during the second industrial revoluton. In The Old Mines of Løkken, you enter a hidden and very different world. The air is cool and smells of stone, the paths are narrow and dark. When the mountain is lit, you may see beautiful colors. The Old Mine has a large underground cavern, Fagerlisalen, where the miners once worked. It is also appropriately known as the ‘Cathedral of labour and toil’. There, miners would have strived to earn their living by extracting the ore from the hard rock.
Orkla Industrial Museum runs guided tour in the Løkken Mines all summer. Available on request for groups all year.
SALMON FISHING
Right next to Bårdshaug Herregård you’ll find one of Norways best salmon rivers. The water here is clean and cold, and in season it holds some of the world freshest salmon. You may fish several places in Orkla River in season. Bårdshaug Herregård has a private fishing field, Fandrem 1 and Gjelørene, just 3 km from the hotel in beautiful natural surroundings. On the wide river banks you will find benches and a wooden shelter.
We would be happy to tailor a package for you or your group, whether you want to go fishing alone or as part of a group. Here you can have the best of two worlds; comfortable living, good food and wine matched with fresh air, silence, nature and fishing – what’s not to like?
THE NORWAY BUILDING
After 126 years in the United States The Norway Building is back on home turf, at Orkanger where it was built in 1893. It is modeled after the classic Norwegian stave churches of the Middle Ages, and served as Norway’s Pavilion at The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. From 1936 The Norway Building was the main attraction at Little Norway.
The tale of the building is closely linked to industrialist and architect Christian Thams. The Norway Building is now centrally located in Orkanger, close to Bårdshaug Herregård, Christian Thams’ mansion. Nearby is also Thamshavnbanen, the world’s oldest railway running on alternating current and still in operation.
Guided tours are offered throughout the summer.
HIKING AND WALKING
Bårdshaug Herregård is a great starting point for a walk along the banks of the river Orkla. A well kept, car-free, path takes you all the way up to Fannrem or down to the fjord – the choice is yours. If you stay here with us, we’ll be happy to lend you bikes.* That way you can travel further in shorter time. If you decide to go to Fannrem, make sure you visit the charming Fannrem Farm, and their shop Reinhekla. If you head for the fjord, we strongly recommend a pause in the relaxing “Gammelosen”. Here you find Orkangers “City Beach” that a lot of locals use during summer (if the weather’s warm enough).
Orkangers neighbourhood close to the sea has a lot of old, charming houses. You may also come across info-signs along the road telling you the story of old buildings and life back in the days.
*Limited availability
