Travel in history across Rørosvidda by horse and sleigh
Throughout the past centuries, horse and sleigh has been the main form of transportation in wintertime. The horse with his sleigh and driver is the truckdrivers of the past. Most of the transportation was done in the winter, they were then able to use the frozen lakes, rivers, and swamps for the most struggle- free trip as possible.
In Røros, the mines were a reason for many people to settle here and also a reason for many people to travel here, with coal, firewood or goods for trading. The travelers from beyond the mountains and from other towns around the Nordic countries became a familiar sight, and they brought with them tales and goods of their world. Farmers who drove long distances for trading and selling of goods in Røros, known as Forbønder/ lasskjører, were very welcome guests when they stopped to rest and share food, music, and stories at the farms along the way. In the middle of the 1900s the tractor and the car slowly took over the role of the horse, and they stopped going by horse to Rørosmartnan even though Rørosmartnan was a yearly event. But in 1981 a man named Jöns Fahlen brought 20- 30 friends and 10 horses and drove to Rørosmartnan with horse again and started a new era dor this historical market week. To this very day these trips are still being made to Rørosmartnan by no less the 90 horses, they all drive in through “Malmplassen”, outside of the museum at Røros, the third Tuesday of February, every year.
In November 2023 “Forbondeunionen”, which is a union where all forbondeforeninger/ lasskjørerlag are represented, founded by our uncle Sigurd Svendsen, received an award for the preserving of immaterial cultural heritage. Which this community of “Forbønder” represents from no one less than the Norwegian Directorate of cultural heritage. This award means a lot to us, that our effort and work to preserve our cultural heritage is seen and appreciated is amazing.
Here in Vauldalen we are passionate about giving you the same experience – sitting in a horse-drawn sleigh and feeling the tingling thrill of being part of a midwinter adventure. On the farms they wait in anticipation for our arrival, for this is a rare opportunity to share stories, the latest news about people from the town and sample goods that are otherwise difficult to get hold of.
The route over Rørosvidda runs along the old winter road, just the same as in the past. The striking beauty of nature, untouched by the passage of time – witnessing it all really is very affecting. When lodging at the “journey farms” you will see that we care equally about attending to humans and horses.
One thing is for certain: when the sound of the Forbønder is heard people gather around them in delight. This is their chance for social interaction between village and city – today, just as in the past. This is what we hope you will share with us!
The lady of the house, Jorid comes along as a cook, guide and witty relief. The ones that have met her, can’t forget her easily, because she gives of herself and lives by the motto: “To reach a heart, you have to touch a heart!” She cooks the food along with some help from the party – the traditional way, with campfire and pans. In her travelling case she brings delicacies, both of the wet and dry sorts….. to eat and to drink – all especially prepared for genuine travelers in following the ancient path of the Forbønder.
Husband Ole Peder joins the tour as a guide and to pass on his knowledge of the interaction between horse and man. All equipment for the trip is as it was then, and you can borrow an old fur coat, or mudd, for the entire journey. Most tools are original. As Ole Peder says, “I will offer an honest experience and it must be real. Everything that has been rebuilt has been constructed according to traditional craft methods.”
First day: Pickup at Røros, where we will share a little storytelling on the road to Vauldalen. Then you will have your first experience with our horses and sleighs. From the hotel we go by horse and sleigh to Volldalskoja where a three-course dinner produced from local ingredients awaits, along with entertainment and storytelling.
Second day: After a nice breakfast we pack the sledges and leave Vauldalen behind. We will make a fire in the woods when it is time for a break, and we`ll make fresh coffee and have some “tjukksnipp”. We will arrive at Skottgården in Brekken where we will have lunch and settle in for the night. In the afternoon we will take a ride around the village we will go to Bua, the old store, frozen in time where they still have items from the 50`s and 60`. Then we will make a stop at the forbonde statue, a reminder of all the people that crossed the border and got shelter in Brekken. Then we will go back to Skottgården to finish the evening with a good meal and local, live music.
Third day: We enjoy a delicious breakfast at Skottgården, before preparing the packaging of the sleds. Our sleighride gets going, and it’s time to just take it all in. After a while we stop to make a campfire and enjoy coffee and traditional and homemade biscuits. Later we have lunch in the manner of the Swedish Forbønder, eating Kølbulle, a pancake with bacon bits and jam. We lodge at the “journey farm” Billehaugen in Hitterdalen. First the horses are taken care of, and then we are served a traditional Forbonde dinner, with sour cream porridge and fish. Yes, you read correctly, we have porridge with fish and the salt, sweet and porridge is a good mix. There is entertainment and music also in the evening.
Fourth day: Breakfast is served from our travelling case. Along the route we pause to make a fire and enjoy coffee and local homemade “lemse”, traditional baked at Kalsa, farmer bakery outside of Brekken. After arriving at “Malmplassen” in Røros, we give the horses some rest in a nearby stable and go to one of Røros most historic places for lunch, more stories are shared about the Forbønder who kept this tradition as a supplement to their livelihood. After lunch there is opportunity for a shower followed by transportation to train/flights.
