Helvete potholes

Hell potholes, or “Helvete” as it is called in Norwegian, is an exciting wilderness adventures in Espedalen approx. 65 km west of Lillehammer. Helvete is a nature park consisting of the potholes and the farm Dalbakken Fjellgard with grazing animals.

Northern Europe’s largest

The potholes are basically a vast gorge dug out by the river Vinstra once roaring down the mountain side. The large holes were carved out by stones and ice towards the end of the last Ice Age some 9.000 years ago. You can clearly see how the bedrock has been shaped by huge whirlpools. The largest 40 meter deep, and 25 meter in diameter. The river Vinstra eventually dug a new route 22 km north of Hell potholes, so today it’s just a stream passing through the gorge.

Round trip

You can explore the gorge and potholes if you pay the 90,- NOK’s entrance fee. You have to climb down approx. 300 meters, and the last part is rather steep, stony, wet and slippery. There are solid fences for you to hold on to, but I saw elder people giving up and returning back to the top, afraid of falling…
You can expect to spend approx. 40 minutes on the 1 km long round trip. Dependent of the amount of water in the stream, you should also prepare to get wet. I walked down in my waterproof motorcycle boots, but those wearing sneakers, got soaking wet. 🙂

The park also hosts events such as traveling-theatre performances, concerts and guided tours, and has a café serving freshly made waffles, sour-cream porridge, cured meats and other traditional treats.

Helvete Nature Park is open from mid June to mid October between 11.00 and 16.00.

In the area

If visiting Hell potholes, you are not far from Skåbu, which gives you great opportunities regardless of your direction. If you are going west, you can take the beautiful gravel road Jotunheimvegen – and you can continue on Scenic Route Valdresflye. If going East, you can take the gravel road Peer Gynt-vegen, or if headed North or South-West, you should consider the, Trans Euro Trail (TET) section 1 which is passing the area.