saeter

Saeter, also spelled saeter or sæter, is a term used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages for a seasonal mountain pasture and the small settlement placed there to support grazing and dairy production during the summer. A sæter is typically situated away from the main farm, high in the hills or mountains, where summer pastures are available. Cattle, sheep, and goats are moved to the sæter for grazing, and dairy products such as milk, butter, and cheese are produced there before the herd returns to the winter farm. The practice is part of the broader pastoral tradition known as seterdrift, a system that linked seasonal mountain grazing with central farm production.

The word originates from Old Norse sætr, meaning a summer lodging or shelter, extended to refer to the entire seasonal farm complex. A sæter complex usually includes a small cluster of buildings: a main dwelling known as a seterhus, a dairy facility, barns, and animal sheds. Some sites have turf- or thatched-roof structures, and paths or simple tracks connecting the buildings with the access route from the main farm.

In modern times, many sæter have been abandoned as agriculture centralized and mobility increased. Others survive as cultural heritage sites and are preserved as museums or guest cottages; some households still practice limited summer grazing or operate rural tourist accommodations, keeping the historical landscape and traditions alive.