Rondslottet (2,178 m) – Climbing Rondane’s Highest Peak From Rondvassbu

SummitClimbs Field Note: Rondslottet (also spelled Rondeslottet), 2,178 m, is the highest summit in Rondane, on the border between Dovre and Folldal in Innlandet, just north of Sel. The classic ascent goes from the DNT lodge Rondvassbu over Vinjeronden (2,044 m). Ut.no grades it “extra demanding”: 12.3 km there and back, about 7 hours and 1,154 m of ascent, on steep, stony ground that is exposed in bad weather and strong wind.

The Palace of Rondane

The name Rondane comes from the long, narrow lake Rondvatnet, once simply called Rond, from Old Norse rǫnd, “stripe” or “edge”. Slottet means “the palace”. The mountain got its present name in 1876, probably from a tourist: in DNT’s 1876 yearbook, the medical student Harald Graff wrote of his ascent in 1875, “In the name of Den Norske Turistforening I take possession of you and christen you Rondslottet.”

The square stone cairn on the summit was built in 1921 by Captain K. Wold and two assistants as a first-order trigonometric point, part of the network of survey points that underpinned the mapping of Norway. Both Rondslottet’s primary factor and its secondary factor are among the 20 largest in the country.

Rondslottet at a Glance

• Height: 2,178 m, the highest in Rondane
• Location: Dovre/Folldal border, Innlandet; Rondane National Park
• Start: Rondvassbu (1,173 m), at the south end of Rondvatnet
• Distance and ascent: 12.3 km and 1,154 m there and back (ut.no)
• Time: about 7 hours return; Norwegian Wikipedia gives about 5 hours up and 3 down
• Grade: extra demanding
• Season: June to September
• Alternative start: Bjørnhollia (914 m), about 7 hours up and 5 down

The Route From Rondvassbu

Follow the marked path from Rondvassbu, climbing steeply northeast behind the lodge towards Rondholet. Continue into Rondholet past the path junction for Storronden, on easier ground for a while. At the saddle between Rondholet and Storbotn, at the inner end of Rondholet, the path turns north and climbs the ridge to the top of Vinjeronden (2,044 m). This climb is very steep, through scree with a lot of loose stone.

From Vinjeronden, descend steeply into a notch, then climb steeply again along the ridge between Storbotn and Styggebotn to Rondslottet. The ridge is good walking, but take care near the edges, where there is a lot of loose rock. From the top there is an impressive panorama towards Digerronden, Midtronden and Høgronden to the northeast and Smiubelgin to the west.

Return the same way, or descend east to Bjørnhollia (about 5 hours).

Getting to Rondvassbu

• By car: follow the E6 to Otta, turn off just south of Otta towards Mysuseter, then drive through the toll barrier via Tjønnbakken to Spranget. From there it is 6 km, about 1.5 hours, on foot to Rondvassbu.
• Parking changes: new parking rules apply at Spranget from 5 July 2026, and from summer 2027 the Spranget car park is to be closed, so you will have to park at Mysuseter. Cycling in to Rondvassbu is allowed only from 25 June to 25 August.
• By public transport: train and bus run to Otta, and in the summer school holidays a bus (route 05-658) runs to Spranget.
• The lodge: Rondvassbu is a staffed DNT lodge with 128 beds, closed from 13 September to 19 February. The self-service section is permanently closed, so there is nowhere to stay when the lodge is not staffed.

Before You Go

• Loose stone: the climbs to Vinjeronden and along the summit ridge are steep with a lot of loose rock; take care not to knock stones onto people below.
• Weather: ut.no warns the route is exposed in bad weather and strong wind; check the mountain forecast on yr.no and turn back if it closes in.
• Light pack: ut.no notes that with a light summit pack you will use less time than stated.

The SummitClimbs Take

Rondslottet is the king of Rondane: a steep, stony day from Rondvassbu over Vinjeronden to the highest point of the park and a view over all its giants. Go on a settled day, watch your feet on the loose stone, and plan your parking with the 2027 changes in mind. For a neighbouring summit, see our guide to Høgronden.

Facts from ut.no (Rondeslottet via Vinjeronden fra Rondvassbu), ut.no (Rondvassbu), Norwegian Wikipedia (Rondslottet) and Wikipedia. Always check current conditions before you go.