Folldal is a small mining village in the Østerdalen district, and it carries a curious history for a place so quiet today. Copper was mined here from the seventeenth century until the 1970s, and the old workings at Folldal Verk are now a museum, with buildings and shafts that give a picture of the life of the miners. About 600 people live in the village centre, and the surrounding municipality is large, with mountains, forests and pastures. The nearest towns are Alvdal, a long way south, and the larger settlements are far enough that fuel is something to plan for.
The village sits at the northern edge of the Rondane range and close to Dovrefjell, and the landscape is typical of eastern Norway's high country: broad valleys, rolling hills and birch forest that gives way to bare mountain above the tree line. The Folda river flows through the village, and in summer the meadows are bright with wildflowers. In autumn, the birches turn gold and the mountain slopes glow red with dwarf shrubs, and it is one of the most beautiful seasons.
The Rondane road ends here, and the last stretch is a gentle descent through forest and farmland. The road is smooth and quiet, with moderate curves, and you pass through a landscape of small farms, summer pastures and old wooden buildings. Elk, reindeer and sheep may appear on the road, so keep watch, particularly at dawn and dusk. The weather can be changeable, and rain showers come and go quickly. In winter, snow and ice make riding impossible, and the best months are June to September.
In Folldal, you can find a small shop, a petrol pump and a cafe, though hours may be limited, so check before you rely on it. Local food includes cured meats, cheese and the brown goat cheese, brunost, that Norwegians love, which tastes of caramel. A visit to the mining museum is a good way to spend an hour, and the surrounding mountains are ideal for walking. After the open fell, the village is a calm, friendly place to rest.