RondvatnetAbout Rondvatnet
Rondvatnet is a mountain lake in Innlandet county located within the Rondane mountain area of central Norway. It lies inside the boundaries of Rondane National Park and is part of the park’s upland lake system.
The lake functions as a local base for walkers and hikers; marked trails and routes radiate from the lake into surrounding peaks and plateaus. The water and shoreline are used for short walks, photographic viewpoints, and as a staging point for longer treks into Rondane.
Rondvatnet is a natural glacially formed lake. The surrounding valley and highland were incorporated into protected status when Rondane was established as Norway’s first national park in 1962, placing the lake under conservation management.
The lake sits within Rondane National Park in Innlandet, with the mountain hut Rondvassbu immediately adjacent to its shore and the park’s marked trail network providing access from valley car parks and mountain roads.
- Rondvassbu: the DNT-managed Rondvassbu mountain lodge sits on the lake’s northern shore and serves as a common trailhead for day hikes and multi-day routes in Rondane National Park.
Best Time to Visit Rondvatnet
Best visited in summer for trail access; shoulder seasons offer solitude but less predictable weather.
Weather & Climate near Rondvatnet
Rondvatnet's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 13°C. Moderate rainfall (718 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -12° - -6° | -16° | 47 mm | overcast | 96% | 5.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.1h |
| February | Poor | -12° - -6° | -16° | 35 mm | overcast | 96% | 4.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| March | Poor | -11° - -4° | -15° | 44 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | -7° - 0° | -9° | 33 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.5h |
| May | Poor | -2° - 5° | -3° | 50 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 2° - 11° | 4° | 86 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 18.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 95 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 18.1h |
| August | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 5° | 85 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.6h |
| September | Poor | 0° - 7° | -1° | 78 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.8 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.7h |
| October | Poor | -4° - 1° | -7° | 71 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| November | Poor | -9° - -4° | -12° | 52 mm | overcast | 97% | 4.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| December | Poor | -11° - -5° | -15° | 42 mm | overcast | 97% | 4.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.1h |
How to Get to Rondvatnet
Rondvatnet is accessed via road and marked trails from the nearest towns such as Otta and through the Rondvassbu hut at the lake’s shore. Public buses and local shuttle services serve the park in summer months; detailed trail maps are recommended.
Tips for Visiting Rondvatnet
- Stay at Rondvassbu (mountain lodge) for direct access to trails and for guided local knowledge.
- Try the short loop around the lake for gentle walking; longer treks connect to the Rondane ridge system.
- Autumn colours are brief-visit mid-September for the best display of dwarf birch and heather.