A living part of mountain culture
The mountain dairy tradition in Ål stretches back several hundred years. The first mountain dairies in the area were probably cleared as early as the early 16th century. Since then, the mountains have been used for grazing, haymaking and food production, and the knowledge has been passed down through generations.
In 2024, Norwegian and Swedish mountain dairy farming culture was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is the knowledge and traditions linked to, among other things, outfarm grazing, animal husbandry and food processing that are on the list. At the mountain farms around Ål, several of these traditions are still in use.
Fagerdalen Støl: mountain dairy food in the middle of the mountains
From the Bergsjø area, the mountain road continues towards Fagerdalen Støl. Fagerdalen Støl belongs to the Søre Berg farm in Hovet, and several sources trace the family's use of the site back to 1702. Here, the cows are milked morning and evening, and the milk is further processed into items such as sour cream, butter, and various cheeses. In the mountain dairy hut, you can sit down and sample traditional mountain dairy food such as sour cream porridge and *kvikaku* with sour cream and jam.
You can drive all the way to Fagerdalen, or make the trip part of the experience by cycling from the Bergsjø area through the high mountain landscape.
Iungsdalshytta: mountain dairy farming, mountain food and accommodation
From Toviken the walk goes for about four kilometres along Iungsdalsvatnet and towards Iungsdalshytta. The trip takes about one hour each way and gives a strong sense of the mountains in a short time, with an open landscape, calm water and views towards the mountains in Skarvheimen.
Right by the cabin is Oddestølen, where mountain pasture traditions are still alive. Among other things, sour cream, cheese, buttermilk and yoghurt are produced here using milk from the mountain farm, and eggs from their own hens are used in the catering.
The food is an important part of the experience at Iungsdalshytta. Here, the food is made from scratch using local ingredients and products from the mountain dairy. Among other things, freshly baked bread and homemade salads are served, and ingredients such as fish from Lake Iungsdalsvatnet and berries from the area are used when available.
You can go on a day trip and have a meal at the lodge, or stay overnight and enjoy dinner, the mountain evening and breakfast before heading back.
Tormodset: mountain farm products from Votndalsåsen
At Votndalsåsen, around 950 metres above sea level, lies Tormodset. The mountain farm is part of an old mountain pasture landscape in Ål, where farms have used the ridge for grazing and food production for generations. Old place names and traces of a packhorse trail through the pasture meadows tell of the travel between the village and the mountain farms.
Today, Tormodset is still an active dairy mountain farm. Here, the milk is processed into traditional mountain farm products such as sour cream, sour milk, whey cheese and curd pudding.
Tormodset does not have regular catering during the summer season, but you can buy mountain dairy produce to take home with you. In winter, the kiosk opens during select holiday periods.
Catch the final part of the mountain pasture season
It is still not too late to experience the mountain pasture culture this season.
Fagerdalen Støl is open Saturday and Sunday up to and including 13th September, from 12:00 to 16:30.
Iungsdalshytta is serviced until 13th September inclusive. After that, the cabin switches to self-service.
At Tormodset you can still buy mountain dairy produce to take home with you.
So if you want to eat mountain porridge at Fagerdalen, take a trip into Iungsdalen or fill your shopping bag with local mountain dairy products from Tormodset, there is still time to experience a bit more of mountain dairy life before autumn takes over in the mountains.