Location and surroundings
Midtre Sølen belongs to the chain Fennoscandian Shield > Scandinavian Mountains > Southern Scandes > Eastern Highlands > Rendalen Østfjell. It lies in Norway, in Rendalen municipality in Innlandet county. Within its range it ranks first by elevation, and it is the high point of Rendalen Østfjell.
The mountain rises from an upland terrain of ridges, passes and open slopes. A protected area, Sølen landskapsvernområde, reaches to or near the summit area, which suggests a landscape shaped by conservation as well as by alpine weather and exposed ground.
Neighbouring peaks
Midtre Sølen is part of a cluster of named summits and passes around the Sølen massif. The closest features are:
- Sølenskardet (mountain pass), 1,277 m, 1.7 km west
- Sølen, nordre (peak), 1,478 m, 1.8 km northeast
- Sølen (peak), 1,688 m, 2.5 km southwest
- Småhøgdene (hill), 1,050 m, 3.9 km south
- Vesleskardet (mountain pass), 1,020 m, 4.6 km north
- Veslesølen (peak), 1,136 m, 5.2 km north
- Harahøgda (peak), 1,034 m, 5.3 km south
- Tannvola (peak), 1,225 m, 6.1 km northwest
Compared with these neighbours, Midtre Sølen is the highest and most prominent summit in the immediate group. The surrounding peaks are lower, while the passes mark the easier breaks in the ridge system around the mountain.
The view from the summit
From Midtre Sølen, the highest peaks within 25 km give a good sense of the wider uplands around Rendalen. Notable summits are Kverninghøgda (1,275 m, 15.3 km northwest), Marsfjellet (1,228 m, 13.2 km northwest), Tissvola (1,199 m, 6.4 km west), Neksjøhøgda (1,183 m, 22.9 km northwest), Akshaugen (1,164 m, 9.7 km north) and Kvitvola (1,154 m, 21.0 km southeast).
These peaks are spread around the compass, so the summit outlook is likely to include a broad sweep of ridges and higher ground rather than a single dominant direction. The nearest of the higher summits is Tissvola to the west, while the farthest listed one is Neksjøhøgda to the northwest.
The range
Rendalen Østfjell is the range Midtre Sølen belongs to, and Midtre Sølen is its high point. The range has 185 named peaks, so the mountain sits at the top of a fairly extensive named summit group rather than in a small isolated cluster.
The range is part of the broader Eastern Highlands and ultimately the Scandinavian Mountains of northern Europe. Within Rendalen Østfjell, Midtre Sølen is the highest summit, which makes it the main elevation reference for the area.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER suggest that the summit is cold for much of the year. The warmest month is July, at about 6 °C, and the coldest is January, at about -13 °C. Mean temperatures above freezing at the summit are expected in June, July, August and September.
Precipitation in the surrounding area is about 850 mm a year. The wettest month is July, with about 125 mm, and the driest is February, with about 35 mm. In this part of Norway, weather can change quickly, with wind, low cloud, rain, snow patches and poor visibility all possible even in summer.
Best time to visit
The most practical season for Midtre Sølen is usually the snow-free part of the year, especially when the summit temperatures are above freezing. Based on the climate estimates, that means June to September, with the most settled conditions often found in mid to late summer.
Even then, the mountain can hold snow in shaded places and on higher ground, and wet weather is common enough to affect footing and visibility. Early summer may still feel wintry on the upper slopes, while autumn can bring colder nights and faster weather changes.
Nature and wildlife
Midtre Sølen lies in an upland Scandinavian mountain landscape with open rock, heather, grass, moss and patches of snow that can linger into summer. Lower slopes in this region often support birch woodland before giving way to more exposed alpine ground higher up.
The protected area Sølen landskapsvernområde adds conservation value to the summit surroundings. Typical wildlife in such terrain can include birds adapted to open mountains, as well as larger mammals that use the wider forest-and-fell landscape around Rendalen.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Midtre Sølen, a certified guide is not always necessary in stable summer conditions, but it can be useful if you want help with route-finding, weather judgement or a safer plan in poor visibility. In Norway, certified mountain guides are represented by the Norwegian Mountain Guides Association (Norske Tindevegledere, an IFMGA/UIAGM member). The national alpine club is the Norwegian Climbing Federation (Norsk Klatreforbund).
Visitors in Norway also commonly turn to established guiding companies such as Jostedalen Breførarlag in Jostedal and Lofoten Mountain Guides in Kabelvåg. A guided ascent usually includes route planning, local judgement and safety management; the cost depends on the number of days, group size, hut nights and equipment needs.
Safety and preparation
Midtre Sølen demands preparation for exposed mountain terrain, changing weather and cool conditions even in summer. Good footwear, warm layers, map and compass or a reliable navigation app, and enough food and water are sensible basics. Snow, wet rock and low cloud can make the upper mountain slower and more serious than the elevation alone suggests.
For mountain rescue in Norway, call 112, the police emergency number; the police handle mountain rescue with help from the Red Cross and other volunteer rescue corps. For a medical emergency, call 113. Rescue is free of charge.
History and name
Midtre Sølen is known as one of the three main Sølen peaks in Rendalen. Its name distinguishes it from the northern and main Sølen summits in the same mountain group, and it forms part of the local identity of the Rendalen uplands.
The mountain’s role is mainly geographic rather than historical: it is the central high point in the Sølen group and the highest summit in Rendalen Østfjell. That makes it a useful reference peak for the surrounding landscape.
Interesting facts
Midtre Sølen is the highest of 185 named peaks in Rendalen Østfjell. Its prominence is 1,091 m, which shows that it rises well above the surrounding terrain. The nearest higher-looking summit in the local group is not listed as higher; instead, the closest named neighbours are all lower than Midtre Sølen.
The mountain is also the high point of its range, Rendalen Østfjell, and sits within the wider Scandinavian Mountains of Europe. That combination of range high point, strong prominence and a cluster of nearby peaks makes it a key summit in eastern Innlandet.
FAQ
How high is Midtre Sølen? It rises to 1,755 m above sea level.
Where is Midtre Sølen? It is in Rendalen municipality, Innlandet county, in Norway, within the Rendalen Østfjell range.
What range does Midtre Sølen belong to? It belongs to Rendalen Østfjell, where it is the high point.
What are the nearest peaks and passes? The closest are Sølenskardet to the west, Sølen, nordre to the northeast and Sølen to the southwest, with several other lower peaks and passes nearby.
Is there water on the way to Midtre Sølen? The upper mountain is cold, exposed terrain, so plan to carry your own water. A sensible amount is about 1.5 to 3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on Midtre Sølen? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
How long does it take to climb Midtre Sølen? Plan from the terrain and height gain rather than a fixed schedule. The real path may be longer than a straight-line estimate.
Will my mobile phone work on Midtre Sølen? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. On an open summit it may be better, but in valleys and behind ridges it often fails. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.