Best for
Walkers, photographers, anyone wanting a free view over Gjøvik and Mjøsa
Time needed
1–1.5 hours round trip
Worth it?
Yes — free, short, and the single best view in town
Skip if
You have mobility limitations that rule out an unpaved hillside path
About Hovdetoppen
Hovdetoppen is the wooded hill rising almost directly out of Gjøvik town centre — the same mountain the Olympic Cavern Hall is tunnelled into, in fact, with the viewpoint sitting on top of it. At 140 metres of elevation it's not a mountain in any serious sense, but because it climbs straight up from the lakeshore town below, the payoff view is disproportionate to the modest effort required to get there.
The trail up is well used and clearly marked, most commonly started from Gjøvik stasjon, and takes most people 20–40 minutes depending on pace and route choice — longer if you link it into the fuller 'three peaks' loop with neighbouring Bergstoppen and Tranbergtoppen. At the top, the main landmark is a genuinely atmospheric one: the stone ruins of a restaurant that burned down, now overgrown and used more as a backdrop for photos and — on selected summer evenings — an open-air concert venue ('Sveve over byen') than as any kind of functioning building.
Read the full storyShow less
What actually draws people up here is the view: a sweeping panorama over Gjøvik's rooftops, the harbour, and the full width of Lake Mjøsa stretching away, genuinely one of the best free vantage points anywhere in the Gjøvik region and arguably better than anything you'll get at ground level in town.
There's no ticket, no gate and no opening hours — it's a public hillside, walkable any time of year, though obviously more pleasant (and less icy underfoot) outside deep winter. It pairs naturally with the Olympic Cavern Hall directly beneath it, letting you experience the same mountain from both the inside and the top in one outing.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Best free panoramic view over Gjøvik and Lake Mjøsa
- 220–40 minute well-marked walk from the town centre / train station
- 3Atmospheric ruins of a burnt-down restaurant at the summit
- 4Occasional open-air summer concerts ('Sveve over byen')
- 5Can be linked into a longer loop with neighbouring Bergstoppen and Tranbergtoppen
- 6Sits directly above the Olympic Cavern Hall tunnelled into the same hill
Insider Tips
Start from Gjøvik stasjon — the trailhead is clearly signed from there
Wear proper shoes; the path is unpaved and can be muddy after rain
Go in late afternoon for the best light over the lake
Check locally for any scheduled 'Sveve over byen' concert evenings if you want the livelier version
Free and open year-round, but winter ice makes the climb slower and less comfortable
Getting There
Trailhead near Gjøvik stasjon, 2815 Gjøvik (hill summit, no street address)
Open in Google Maps →- 1Trailhead starts a short walk from Gjøvik stasjon; the climb itself takes 20–40 minutes on foot depending on route and pace.
Where to stay
Hotels in Gjøvik
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powered by Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Hovdetoppen worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Hovdetoppen take?+−
Who is Hovdetoppen best for?+−
Do I need to book anything in advance to visit Hovdetoppen?+−
Is Hovdetoppen included with the Gjøvik city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want the best view over Gjøvik and Lake Mjøsa without paying for one
- You enjoy a short, rewarding hike over a long one
- You're already visiting the Olympic Cavern Hall and want to see the same hill from above
- You're in town at golden hour and want the classic sunset photo spot
Skip if...
- You have mobility issues that make an unpaved hillside trail impractical
- It's deep winter and the path is icy without proper footwear
- You're extremely short on time and have to prioritise the seasonal Skibladner sailing instead
More to See in Gjøvik
Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall (Gjøvik Olympiske Fjellhall)
The world's largest public hall carved into solid rock — an ice hockey arena and swimming pool built 120 metres inside a mountain for the 1994 Winter Olympics.
DS Skibladner
The world's oldest paddle steamer still in scheduled service — a genuine 1856-built lake ferry sailing Mjøsa between Gjøvik, Hamar, Lillehammer and Eidsvoll, but strictly a summer-only affair.