Våler is Innlandet’s arrow-guided forest basin — a municipality where legends say Saint Olaf shot a winged arrow to mark a church site, pine forests stretch toward Sweden, and a golden arrow pierces the coat of arms. With around 3,500 residents and a landscape shaped by the Glomma River, Finnskogen, and the villages of Våler, Braskereidfoss, Gravberget, and Risberget, Våler is the kind of place where you can hike past war memorials, explore timber heritage, and still sip spruce cordial beside a church rebuilt after a mysterious fire. It’s got woods, wonder, and a name that means “clearing in the forest.”
Top Attractions
- Våler Church – one of Europe’s largest wooden churches, rebuilt in 2015 after arson
- Gravberget Church – 1955 forest chapel shaped like a spruce cone
- Risberget Chapel – 1862 timber church with quiet charm
- Haslemoen – former military airfield turned recreation area with trails & events
- Finnskogen – vast forest region with Finnish heritage, cabins & hiking routes
Unique Experiences
- Olav’s Arrow Monument – marks the legendary spot where Saint Olaf’s arrow landed in 1022
- Vålerbanen – motorsport track with racing events & driver training
- Braskereidfoss Power Station – hydroelectric site on Glomma with scenic views
- Vålerdagene Festival – annual summer celebration with food, music & crafts
- Camp Honkamäki – Finnish-style forest camp with cultural activities
Where to Stay
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Where to Eat
Explore top-rated restaurants in Våler
Getting There
Våler lies in the Solør district of Innlandet, with Våler village as its administrative center. Reach it via Rv2 from Elverum or Kongsvinger, or by train to Braskereidfoss Station. The area is best explored by boots, bike, or bold curiosity — especially if you’re chasing arrow echoes, forest lore, or the hush of pine needles beside a church built where a king’s arrow once fell.