Most people visit this UNESCO World Heritage site in the summer or winter season. But Røros is a wonderful place to visit in the autumnal colours of the fall.
After many years in Norway, I've settled upon the early autumn as my favourite time of the year. Unfortunately, it's all too brief! Before too long, temperatures plunge and it starts to rain, a lot.
This year, I found myself with some free time just as the trees were beginning to change colour in Trondheim. So, I hopped on a train to see one of my favourite places in Norway, Røros, in its autumnal coat.
If you've never heard of Røros, it's a former copper mining town in the eastern part of central Norway, close to Sweden. The whole town and surrounding area is one of Norway's UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Of course, I took my camera along to document the day. Enjoy the photos!
An Autumn trip to Røros
Getting to Røros from Trondheim is relatively straightforward. SJ Nord runs trains on the Trondheim to Hamar line, which calls at Røros after about 2.5 hours. There are also buses, but I much prefer the comfort of the train.
The view from the train, especially after it turns off the main line at Stern, is fantastic. It follows the river much of the way to Røros. From the window, there's plenty to see including bridges, farms, campsites, forested areas and even people fishing.
Since the new SJ trains have been introduced on the line, it's an even more comfortable experience. For some reason the train back was one of the old trains. It was much smaller and sold out. So, book your seats in advance!
After arrival, I immediately headed up Kjerkgata and looked for my favourite places. This includes the Vertshuset hotel, the Pottery, and the famous church.
Røros isn't known for its trees. In fact, the area surrounding the town is notoriously barren. Yet there is enough foliage in the town to get that autumn feel. This is especially true given the dark wood used in many of the older buildings.
Something I love about Røros is the surprising amount of independent stores and cafes. The orange and brown cushions inside Kaffestuggu–one of my regular haunts when I visit the town–gave an autumnal feel inside too!
After a quick lunch and coffee, it was time to head up to the mining museum. The smelting house museum is well worth a visit to learn more about the fascinating history of Røros.
There were no fall colours up on the slag heaps, but they did provide a fantastic view across the town as always. In particular, the yellows and oranges of the trees that the town does have provided a beautiful contrast to the white church tower.
Just down from the slag heaps, Sleggveien is a historic street of former workers' houses. Some of these small wooden buildings are open during the summer season. While you can't enter in the autumn, you still get an idea of the harsh conditions the miners would have lived in.
One positive aspect of visiting Røros in the autumn is the relative lack of tourists. In the summer, the tiny town can get overrun, while it can also get busy in the winter especially around the Christmas and winter markets. However, the lack of tourists does mean that a few of the cafes are closed.
The river running through Røros that once powered the mills is actually the River Glomma, Norway's longest river. The Glomma makes its way down through the east of Norway all the way to Sarpsborg and beyond.
I hope you enjoyed this visual trip to Røros! I certainly did.
Røros is also the coldest city in Norway in the winter time?
It is certainly unique and beautiful.
It can certainly get very cold in the winter!
We spent a couple of days in Roros 25 years ago when we were on a tour by Brekke Travel. I have to agree that it is one of my favorite places to visit in Norway! Going down to the mine, ( our guide Marianne wore high heels 👠 during the entire trip including going down in the mine), in the various small stores ( a favorite was a needle work store down on the lower level. I bought several needlepoint printed pictures and yarn including the Telemark girls at the fence and of the fisherman in the shades of blue instead of the yellow. He is framed and hangs on the wall across from my chair as a reminder of that trip. We have been to Norway several times but I must say that Roros is really unforgettable!