Vassfaret

Vassfaret is a desolate mountain valley in southern Norway, bordering Flå, Nes, Ringerike and Sør-Aurdal municipalities and Oppland and Buskerud counties. The valley is said to be between the Hallingdal and Hedalen in the traditional district of Valdres.

History

There has been human activity in Vassfaret as early as the times before the Black Death in 1349. In later ages there were permanent settlements until 1921, when the last inhabitants left. In all there are remnants of 12 farms, as well as remnants of mountain farms.

People have worked with logging and timber floating for more than 300 years in this valley. Numerous artifacts are left including dams, walls constructed by stones out in the rivers, and runs to get the logs past troublesome spots.

Vassfaret is characterized by low alpine coniferous forests, heather and bog. Down in the valley there are a number of lakes in the forest. Up in the mountain it is rocky and weather beaten. The whole valley is not more than about 30 km long, with remnants from the timber floating era and old farms.