sæter
A sæter is a seasonal farmstead used for grazing livestock in the summer, typically located at higher elevations than a farm’s winter residence. The word derives from Old Norse sætr, meaning “summer pasture” or “summer dwelling.” In Norway, sæters were part of transhumance, where cattle and sheep were moved uphill to pasture during the warmer months. A sæter ensemble usually includes multiple buildings such as living quarters for seasonal workers or herders, barns and storehouses, and sometimes a dairy facility for processing milk into butter, cheese, and other products. The term can refer to the pasture itself as well as the farm settlement.
Historically sæters were common throughout Norway, especially in mountainous districts such as Oppland, Telemark, and Trøndelag,
Today, seter culture is part of Norway’s rural heritage. Some working sæters continue to operate on a