Overview: the Pilgrim Road to Nidaros

643 km medieval pilgrim road (Pilegrimsleden) from Oslo to Nidaros (Trondheim) cathedral, where Saint Olav (king of Norway and responsible for much of the conversion of the country to Christianity) was buried.  Part of a network of former pilgrim routes, "rediscovered" after centuries of abandon and waymarked in 1997 to coincide with the millenium of Nidaros cathedral.

The Route. Starts in medieval Oslo and takes, on average, a month to walk from there to Nidaros.  There are two routes to begin with, the eastern (historic) route via Hamar, passing to the RH side of Lake Mjøsa, the western (cultural) option to its left via Gjøvik, both branches joining up shortly after Lillehammer.  After that the Pilegrimsleden continues up the Gudbrandsdal (valley), gently uphill all the time, crosses the Dovrefjell and leads from there via Oppdal to Trondheim. The route (east-west) from Stiklestad to Trondheim is also waymarked, as is the other (south-north) pilgrim path from Tønsberg to Oslo.

Waymarking. Waymarked throughout, with a logo that is a mixture of the Olav cross and the sign used to indicate the existence of historic monuments.

Terrain. Undulating in parts, sometimes flat but often very strenous, with constant ups and downs.  Woods, agricultural land and open moorland.  Some walking on very quiet minor roads, but much of it on old tracks and paths.

Weather/When to go.  Mid-June to early September (before and after that there is likely to be too much snow to be able to continue).

What to see. Several historic churches and interesting vernacular buildings, places connected with the pilgrimage in the past.  Open-air museums in different places along the way give an idea life of in Norway in the past while the route itself provides an insight into life in this country away from the tourist resorts.

Accommodation.  No shortage of places to stay for most of the route, but much of it is expensive and there is hardly any pilgrim-type accommodation as yet.  A few youth hostels, several campsites; pilgrims on a budget would be well advised to take a tent as camping is also possible anywhere outside a town and more than 150m from a house.

Distinctive features of the route/General.  Solitary route where you are unlikely to meet many other pilgrims even though it is becoming better known (by people who live along the way too) and better used each year.

Guide books (to the entire route: both contains detailed maps).

There are also several guides to sections of the route published by local historical societies, tourist offices, etc., obtainable from bookshops and information centres on the way.

Cyclists. Most of the route is completely unsuitable for cyclists, even on mountain bikes.

Norwegian Pilgrim Office.  Pilegrimskontoret,Kirkegaten 34A, 0190 Oslo. Tel:22.33.03.11.
Very helpful and they speak good English.  Website: www.pilegrim.no

Website. For comprehensive information on St Olav and the St Olav Ways, go to ‘Pilgrim Ways to Nidaros’ http://www.pilgrim.info/en/ . The English version is under construction; Information about St Olav; a photoalbum; and pilgrim tales, can be found. The site is managed by Nidaros Diocese.

For a personal account of a walk olong the Noidaros route, visit http://www.ancientmusic.co.uk/hobby/Norway/index.html

Thanks to Alison RAJU, January 2005.

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