Helvete Nature Park
in Espedalen
in Espedalen
Helvete Nature Park
in Espedalen
in Espedalen
Helvete Nature Park is home to Northern Europe’s largest potholes (“jettegryter”), formed around ten thousand years ago. The park has been run by Dalbakken Farm since 1954, when the area was first opened to the public. The potholes are part of the Helvete Nature Reserve, established in 2013, covering a total of 113.4 hectares. Helvete is renowned for its well-developed old spruce forest, stream ravine environments, and a rich biodiversity that includes several demanding and threatened species of fungi and lichens. In addition to the potholes, Helvete Nature Park offers a family park, café, souvenir shop, and archery facilities for our guests. Accommodation is also available on site.
In 2025, we celebrate our 72nd season.
In 2025, we celebrate our 72nd season.
The Potholes in Helvete
Nature Reserve in Espedalen
The potholes in Helvete Nature Reserve, Espedalen, tell the story of the melting of the great ice sheet in this region. About ten thousand years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, the kilometer-thick inland ice began to melt and retreat across Eastern Norway. Vast amounts of meltwater flowed southward through Espedalen. These torrents, running beneath the ice, created extreme water pressure. Stones and water swirled together in powerful vortices, and over time this process carved out the impressive potholes we see today. Helvete contains many such formations, the largest reaching depths of around 40 meters and widths of 20–30 meters.
Fact Sheet on the Helvete Nature Reserve (Norwegian Environment Agency)
Official information about the Helvete Nature Reserve – maps, protection rules, and details about its natural heritage.
Map of Recorded Plant and Animal Species in the Helvete Nature Reserve
A map of recorded plant and animal species in the Helvete Nature Reserve, based on findings reported to the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre (Artsdatabanken). The centre is a professionally independent government body under the Ministry of Climate and Environment, serving as Norway’s national knowledge bank on biodiversity.
Family Park
In the Helvete Family Park you’ll find a large shelter with a grill, farm animals such as horses and lambs, as well as a playground with balance courses, trampoline, climbing wall, stilts, tug of war, ring toss, pond challenges, and more. Entrance to the family park is included in the ticket for the potholes.
Archery
Our archery facilities include both a shooting range and a hunting trail with 12 animal targets, along with all necessary equipment. The activity takes about 1.5–2 hours. Each group must include at least one experienced archer and/or be accompanied by our instructor. The activity must be booked in advance by SMS at +47 959 45 735, by email at opplev@helvete.info, or at the Helvete Café.
We encourage our guests to arrive early to choose suitable equipment and to read and sign the safety instructions.
We encourage our guests to arrive early to choose suitable equipment and to read and sign the safety instructions.
Helvete Café
At Helvete Café, we believe in the power of homemade meals to nourish both body and soul. Here you can enjoy, among other things, our traditional Norwegian sour cream porridge (rømmegrøt) and waffles – prepared from scratch using our family recipe and high-quality ingredients. Every dish is made with love, passion, and tradition.
Helvete Shop
At Helvete Nature Park, we highlight nature and support local businesses by offering sustainable, handcrafted products that reflect our philosophy. Discover unique gifts for any occasion – made from vegan cork, beeswax, and sustainably sourced wood veneer. We also celebrate regional food traditions by supporting local producers, with specialties ranging from freshly milled flour to locally caught fish.
Online shop Accommodation
Dalbakken Mountain Farm
Available for rent from the second week of October until the end of May.
Dalbakken is an old farm located just 150 meters from the Helvete Café. The older part of the house has been renovated while preserving its traditional character. This section spans two floors:
- On the ground floor you’ll find a living room, kitchen, and toilet.
- Upstairs there are three bedrooms with a total of seven beds, as well as a spacious bathroom with shower, toilet, and washing machine.
Lille Gamma
Available for rent from the third week of June until the end of September.
During the summer season, you can spend the night in our Lille Gamma – a simple yet atmospheric traditional turf hut located in our family park. The gamma is suitable for one adult and two children. Sturdy benches are placed along the walls around the fireplace, serving as both seating and sleeping areas.
Toilet and shower facilities are available in the café building just a few meters away. As an overnight guest, you also enjoy free access to the playground in the family park.
Right next to the gamma you’ll find a shelter with tables, benches, and a charcoal grill – perfect for a cozy evening barbecue.
Toilet and shower facilities are available in the café building just a few meters away. As an overnight guest, you also enjoy free access to the playground in the family park.
Right next to the gamma you’ll find a shelter with tables, benches, and a charcoal grill – perfect for a cozy evening barbecue.
Plan Your Visit
Heading to Helvete? Here are a few tips for a safe and enjoyable experience, plus our opening hours, entrance fees, and useful links.
Steep Trail
The path down to the potholes is steep and can be slippery. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended.
Respect Nature
Please don’t carve or write on the rocks. Take photos instead to capture your visit.
Follow the Trail
The path is circular – following the marked direction keeps the hike safer and avoids congestion.
Dogs
The trail has some slippery and steep sections, so it may be best to let dogs rest in the car during the hike.
For allergy and food safety reasons, dogs are not allowed inside the café or shop. They are, however, very welcome on the terrace. Water is available on request.
The path down to the potholes is steep and can be slippery. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended.
Respect Nature
Please don’t carve or write on the rocks. Take photos instead to capture your visit.
Follow the Trail
The path is circular – following the marked direction keeps the hike safer and avoids congestion.
Dogs
The trail has some slippery and steep sections, so it may be best to let dogs rest in the car during the hike.
For allergy and food safety reasons, dogs are not allowed inside the café or shop. They are, however, very welcome on the terrace. Water is available on request.
Opening Hours
Open daily during the season (14 June – 31 August).
14 June – 17 August:
Outside opening hours:
Feel free to send an SMS to +47 959 45 735 and we’ll do our best to assist you.
- Potholes, Family Park, Archery: 10:00 – 18:00
- Café: 11:00 – 17:00
- All facilities: 11:00-16:00
- Open on weekends only
Outside opening hours:
Feel free to send an SMS to +47 959 45 735 and we’ll do our best to assist you.
Entrance Tickets 2025
Potholes + Family Park
The ticket includes access to both the potholes and the family park.
🏹 Archery must be booked in advance and is not included in the ticket price.
Family Park Only
(For those who do not hike to the potholes)
Archery
- Adult (16+): NOK 100
- Children (5–15 years): NOK 50
- Children under 5: Free
- Group offer: Every 10th person in a group enters free
The ticket includes access to both the potholes and the family park.
🏹 Archery must be booked in advance and is not included in the ticket price.
Family Park Only
(For those who do not hike to the potholes)
- Per person (from age 5): NOK 30
- Children under 5: Free
Archery
- Minimum age: 10 years
- Must be booked in advance (with instructor and equipment)
- Duration: one round, two arrows per target
- Includes: instruction, equipment rental, shooting range, and hunting trail (12 animal targets)
- Group price (up to 5 people): NOK 1,200
- Duration: one round, two arrows per target
- Price: NOK 100 per person
- Duration: one round, two arrows per target
- Price: NOK 200 per person (includes bow, arrows, and safety gear)
What Your Ticket Supports
- Maintenance and Safety: Income is used to maintain stairs, handrails, and trails, keeping the potholes accessible and safe.
- Toilets and Parking: Helps provide and maintain facilities on site.
- Supervision and Responsibility: Covers insurance and staffing, ensuring daily supervision, assisting visitors, and reporting visitor statistics to authorities.
- Conservation and Knowledge: Supports information about the natural values and safe exploration, signage, and measures to reduce damage such as graffiti, littering, and wear on nature.
Explore More
Experience Helvete in Winter
Helvete Nature Park collaborates with Ruten Fjellstue, which offers guided winter tours to the potholes. Join a spectacular natural adventure with snow, ice, and tranquility – in a landscape shaped by the forces of the Ice Age.
Hiking Tips – UT.no
Maps and descriptions of marked hiking trails near Helvete Nature Park, provided by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT).
Vassenden Vel
History, news, and activities from the local community association Vassenden – the area where Helvete Nature Park is located.
Elgland
Helvete Nature Park is a member of the business network Elgland SA, a collaboration of tourism companies stretching from Gausdal Vestfjell in the south to Murudalen in the north. The network’s goal is to develop, market, and offer quality products and experiences related to the moose’s natural and cultural history within the region covered by its members.
Contact Information
Address
Espedalsvegen 656, 2658 Espedalen, Norway
61.36378172158757, 9.673333838594012
61.36378172158757, 9.673333838594012
Opening Hours
14 June – 17 August:
Potholes, Family Park, Archery:
10:00 – 18:00
Café: 11:00 – 17:00
18 – 31 August:
All facilities: 11:00 – 16:00
1 – 28 September:
Open on weekends only
Potholes, Family Park, Archery:
10:00 – 18:00
Café: 11:00 – 17:00
18 – 31 August:
All facilities: 11:00 – 16:00
1 – 28 September:
Open on weekends only
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Helvete Naturpark AS
Helvete Naturpark AS