The valley Soknadalen you're driving through has been a working landscape for centuries. The river Sogna was an important timber floating route - you might spot remnants of old log-driving installations along the banks. The locals were known for charcoal burning to supply the iron works in the region.
Today the main employer is the Moelven sawmill at Sokna. The tradition continues.
The river itself is protected and has one of Norway's healthiest populations of freshwater pearl mussels - an endangered species that needs clean water to survive. On warm summer days, locals swim here.