They had been on my bucket list for a while, but last week I finally got to spend a night in a hobbit house at Sjodalen Hyttetun! It felt like stepping into my own magical bubble when I walked in through the round wooden door with its creaking hinges. The little house almost seemed to have grown out of the ground and fit perfectly into its surroundings. I always feel so at home in places like this.. In this blog I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the hobbit houses!
How do you get to Sjodalen Hyttetun?
Sjodalen Hyttetun is in Gudbrandsdalen, about a four-hour drive north of Oslo. The easiest way to get there is by car. You take the E6 to Otta and then follow the road toward Sjodalen. Along the way, the road winds along the Sjoa river and you get beautiful views. There are also buses to Otta, but from there your own transportation is pretty much essential. So a stay in a hobbit house at Sjodalen Hyttetun fits best into a road trip through Norway, where you have the freedom to stop at fjords, mountain passes and little villages along the way.
What is a hobbit house?
A hobbit house is a small, round hut that’s reminiscent of the homes from Tolkien’s stories. These 5 huts are unique in Norway and were specially developed with the Tolkien universe in mind. At Sjodalen Hyttetun they’re known as eventyrhytter, literally fairy-tale huts. They’re built with round shapes, half-moon windows and cozy furnishings. Inside, a made-up bed awaits you, so you can flop right down after a day outdoors. There are even hot water bottles and chocolates on the bed, so cozy!
Sjodalen Hyttetun and the surroundings
Sjodalen Hyttetun lies in the valley of the Sjoa river, between the mountains of Jotunheimen and Rondane. The grounds feel small-scale and personal, with cabins, tent pitches and, of course, the hobbit houses. From your bed you look straight out at the nature outside. Reindeer, moose and other wildlife are regularly spotted here. Imagine waking up and coming face to face (lying down..) with a reindeer!
From the campsite, it takes no time at all to reach Jotunheimen for stunning hikes (like Besseggen), great spots for fishing, skiing or snowshoeing. The stunning Valdresflye is practically in your backyard too.
My night in the hobbit house
As soon as I opened the door and the sunlight streamed in through the windows, I immediately felt at home. Inside it was simple but comfortable: a bed, a small seating area and round windows that let the light in beautifully. On top of that, the little houses have underfloor heating and a small stove. Contrary to what I had expected beforehand, I wasn’t cold for a single second.
We came well prepared with a big bag of firewood, so as soon as evening fell, we made a campfire in the fire basket in the little courtyard and enjoyed the silence and the crackling fire together. With our ears pricked, of course, hoping we’d still get a visit from a four-legged friend.
Practical information
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Location: Sjodalen is about a 4-hour drive from Oslo and makes a good stopover on a road trip through Jotunheimen.
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Facilities: the hobbit houses have a bed and basic furnishings, a small fridge and tea and coffee facilities. For the kitchen and bathrooms, you use the service building. On the grounds you’ll find a café in a classic Norwegian tent, and in summer you can also have local dishes or breakfast delivered to your hobbit house.
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Activities: hiking, fishing, kayaking or simply enjoying the silence. For kids there are special play areas in nature and there’s a fairy-tale forest.
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Seasons: summer and fall are ideal for hiking, and in winter Sjodalen turns into a snowy paradise. Talk about fairy tales!
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Booking: you can book through the Sjodalen Hyttetun website itself. The hobbit houses are popular and there are only 5 of them, so if you want to go in high season, booking early is a good idea.
- Price: a night in the hobbit houses costs 2290NOK (about €200). For this price you also get access to the service building.
My night in the hobbit house in Sjodalen was everything I had hoped for. We even saw moose just a 3-minute drive from the grounds! The campsite is nicely set up and really a place where nature and nature lovers come together. Fun for one night, because let’s be honest: it is on the pricey side.
I visited Sjodalen Hyttetun at their invitation and my stay was sponsored. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t write honest reviews. All my blogs are always 100% sincere and exactly how I experienced it. Of course, this experience can differ from person to person.
