Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Trondheim on the E6
Take the major highway E6 between Oslo and Trondheim.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 2,800 / 61.7 degrees north
Otta, Norway
Located in the upper part of the Gudbrandsdalen valley, Otta is an important transportation hub.
Fun Facts About Otta
Latitude: 61.7 degrees north
Population: 2,800
Sel Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Otta
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
National Parks
Otta is located close to the Rondane National Park and the Jotunheimen National Park.
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Otta
The E6 from Oslo to Trondheim
The E6 is the main highway that runs the entire length of Norway. The section from Oslo to Trondheim is the busiest, passing through the Gudbrandsdalen valley before crossing the mountains towards central Norway. Along the way are many historic sites and points of interest, making it an interesting drive to take.
Otta to Måløy on the Rv15
The Rv15 is a fantastic highway to know when road-tripping through Western Norway. The major tourist roads in some way connect to the Rv15, which runs from Otta in the east to Måløy on the west coast. The scenery is dramatic; steep mountain peaks, gorgeous fjords, and historic valleys. There are a number of important historic sites here, such as Lom Stave Church and the Viking discoveries near Nordfjordeid, so be sure to take your time and enjoy all the possible detours. While an ancient road has been here for hundreds of years, the modern road was completed in stages between the 1920s and the 1990s. Part of the highway replaces the historic trade road Gamle Strynfjellsvegen, which today is a tourist road.
Self-Guided Walks
No self-guided walks are currently available for Otta
Otta on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Otta
Uniquely Otta
Here are some things that you must do and try in Otta
Pillarguri
Just outside Otta’s Skyssstasjon is a statue commemorating the Pillarguri, who alerted the locals of the Scottish advance during the Kalmar War. because of her alert, the locals ambushed the Scots, killing them all.
History of Otta
The location of Otta was historically a farm area. From the 1600s to the 1800s there were copper mines and iron ore mines located close to the town. Sel, a small village to the north of Otta, was a n important historic place.
Otta grew up around the construction of a railway in 1896.
During the early fighting of World War II, Otta saw extensive fighting between German and British forces during the last parts of the German advance up the Gudbrandsdalen valley as part of the German conquest of Norway.
Otta Today
Otta has schooling at all levels. It is also one of the few towns in Norway without a church in the town centre. Otta has a regional medical clinic.
Otta is largely an industrial town, having a number of factories including a window framing plant, production of a high quality slate, wood mill and large printing plant.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: No airport.
Drive: Otta is about halfway between Oslo and Trondheim on the E6
Train: Otta is a station on the Dovre Line between Oslo and Trondheim
Ferry: No ferry access.
Getting Around
Otta is walkable.
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
Camping
Cabins & B&Bs
High End & Unique Properties
All Posts About Otta
Drive it Yourself: Gudbrandsdalen
Drive it Yourself: Gudbrandsdalen Gudbrandsdalen is a valley just north of Oslo. Described by VisitNorway as ‘the king of the valleys’, Gudbrandsdalen has a lot