Orkland is Trøndelag’s fjord-framed fusion basin — a municipality where stave-style buildings once wowed Chicago, ski trails crisscross forested hills, and green gears spin proudly on the coat of arms. With around 18,800 residents and a landscape shaped by the Orkla River, Orkdalsfjorden, and the towns of Orkanger, Meldal, and Løkken Verk, Orkland is the kind of place where you can hike past copper mines, soak in an energy-positive waterpark, and still catch a cod burger beside a historic harbor. It’s got fjords, folklore, and a name that simply means “land of the Orkla.”
Top Attractions
- The Norway Building – stave-style pavilion built for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
- Gammelosen – lakeside park with walking trails, birdwatching & swimming spots
- Knyken Ski Center – year-round activity hub with slalom, tubing, frisbee golf & hiking
- Orkdal Museum – 1800s farmstead with 13 historic buildings & 4,000+ artifacts
- Orklandbadet – energy-positive indoor waterpark with wave pool & flume slides
Unique Experiences
- Digital Culture Trail – app-guided walk through Nerøra’s historic wooden-house district
- Vålåskaret – hike to Norway’s first protected summer farm settlement in Trollheimen
- Selva Pilgrim Route – 25 km trail through Meldal’s medieval landscapes
- Orkland–Ørland Island Hopping – coastal bike tour across fjords & ferry links
- Varig Orkla Arena – modern harness racing venue with concerts & community events
Where to Stay
Search hotels, cabins & guesthouses in Orkland
Where to Eat
Explore top-rated restaurants in Orkland
Getting There
Orkland lies southwest of Trondheim, with Orkanger as its administrative center. The E39 highway and regional buses connect to Trondheim in under an hour. Hurtigbåt ferries link Lensvik to Trondheim, and local buses serve Meldal, Løkken Verk, and Fannrem. The area is best explored by boots, bike, or bold curiosity — especially if you’re chasing stave echoes, copper lore, or the hush of birch leaves beside a fjord trail.