WoodenEyeCandy
D o you have an appreciation for beautiful, old wooden structures? If so, Heidal has an incredible wealth of them to offer. In fact, it boasts one of the highest concentrations of preserved buildings in all of Norway. And that’s just one of the many treasures you can discover in Heidal.
Heidal is a picturesque valley nestled in the heart of Gudbrandsdalen, along the lower course of the Sjoa River. It serves as the gateway to East Jotunheimen, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. The valley is lined with farms and houses, with a community of approximately 1 600 residents. The valley provides both a kindergarten and a primary school, catering to around 120 students.
In Heidal, you’ll find one of the most remarkable concentrations of historic buildings in Norway. Around 60 percent of the 1 300 structures in the area predate the 20th century, with 90 of these buildings enjoying official preservation status.
Heidal Church, a meticulous replica of the 1752 original that was lost to fire in 1933, stands proudly by the old Bjølstad Chapel. The chapel, originally constructed in 1531 at Bjølstad, includes portal planks salvaged from Heidal’s earliest church, a stave church from the 11th century. These portal planks are believed to be some of the oldest wooden carvings in the country.
The primary industries in Heidal revolve around agriculture and forestry, with a strong focus on traditional crafts such as timberwork, carpentry, wood carving, house and artifact restoration, rosemaling, and weaving. Heidal boasts not one, but three cabin factories. More contemporary enterprises include rafting activities on the Sjoa River.
Considering a move?
Freysta members can explore local job opportunities and connect directly with representatives from the village. Feel free to get in touch whether you’re actively looking or just curious. It is completely free. And ad free.
Become a Freysta member →For sports enthusiasts, Heidal offers an array of options. The local sports club, Heidal Idrettslag, hosts a variety of summer and winter sports for all ages and skill levels. This includes football, handball, all-sports programs, floorball, women’s fitness, frisbee golf, orienteering, pole hunting, paddling, and skiing.
The club has a clubhouse, equipment shed, two football fields, training grounds, a frisbee golf course, ski trails, and the Heidalskogen skiing facility. The Heidal sports hall, swimming pool, and the Sjoa River are all in close proximity, frequently used for various activities.
Don’t forget that exploring the beautiful buildings on your excursions also keeps you physically active!
Heidal is the perfect place for active individuals with an eye for architectural heritage and aesthetic beauty.
Nordre Ekre. Photo: T.M. Hetland, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Local stories and traditions that give Heidal its distinct character.
Services, activities, and amenities available in Heidal and within a short drive.
Heidal lies in Sel municipality along the Sjoa River in Gudbrandsdalen, Innlandet county, serving as the gateway to East Jotunheimen.
Send a message directly to a local village representative — someone who knows the community and can help with your questions.
Sending a message requires a free Freysta membership. Messaging is always free too.
Freysta matches you with villages based on what you’re looking for — jobs, lifestyle, and community.
Completely free — and always will be.
Freysta Portal for Members
Freysta shows real job openings from across Norway — each one linked to a specific village. Explore a position and get to know the place around it, all in one view.
Describe what matters to you — nature, services, activities — and Freysta shows you villages that fit. Not a score. A starting point.
Freysta makes it easy to start a direct conversation with participating villages on the platform. Message village representatives, ask questions, and share documents — all in one place. In some cases, villages may also reach out to you if they think you could be a good match.
Dialogue happens when there’s mutual interest — on your terms.
You set up a profile — in minutes
You choose what matters to you in a place to live, along with your background and job interests. You can add more details later if you want.
You see villages and jobs that match you
Explore Norwegian villages that fit your preferences, with live updates on job openings in rural areas that match your skills.
Villages and employers may reach out
Village representatives and local employers can view your profile and contact you if they think there’s a good match.
You can get job alerts if you want
Receive notifications when new jobs are posted in villages you’re interested in — or turn alerts off at any time.
You can start conversations when it feels right
If you want to, you can also contact villages directly through the platform.
Simple, human matchmaking — always free for people who want to move to a Norwegian village.
Answers to common questions about everyday life in Heidal.
Main photo by Erik den yngre, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Søre Harildstad photo by Øyvind S. Johansen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Nordre Ekre photos by T.M. Hetland, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons and Wikimedia Commons.
Text by Marion Solheim, journalist and co-founder of Freysta.
