A pilgrimage on the St. Olav Ways

Long-distance hiking is not the same as walking. Hiking for several hours a day, you soon fall into your own rhythm. The repetitive pulse of your steps or your hiking pole frees up space in your mind for the big questions: the meaning of life, the mystery of suffering, and maybe even to make some tough choices. Or maybe it just empties your mind, so that you can fully enjoy the here and now. As you walk, you appreciate the true beauty of all the small things that appear in your way, like the morning dew or the dance of a butterfly. As you walk, you can experience the true power of a pilgrimage.

You will find pilgrim paths all over Norway. The most popular are the nine St. Olav Ways, all of which lead to the iconic Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Inside, Saint Olav’s shrine has been the most important pilgrimage site in the Nordic countries since former Viking king Olav II Haraldsson was canonised in 1031. The nine trails total about 3,000 kilometres of tranquil scenery and picturesque villages with a strong cultural heritage and delicious local food.

Most pilgrims choose the beautiful Gudbrandsdalsleden, a route which spans 643 kilometres from the capital of Oslo to Norway’s third-largest city, Trondheim. It's the longest pilgrim way in the country and was the main road to Nidaros (now Trondheim) during the Middle Ages. You need at least 32 days to hike the path. On your way, you’ll walk past historical and cultural landmarks, through cultural landscapes and pristine nature, and medieval farms that offer culinary experiences based on locally sourced seasonal ingredients, and a comfortable bed for the night.

While a pilgrimage is traditionally religious in nature – most pilgrims embarked on a pilgrimage to get either healing from sickness or pain, or absolution – the routes are now open to everyone, and the reasons for hiking are highly individual. Some see it as an educational tour, others simply want to take the time to reflect on life in a peaceful setting. Most modern pilgrims do however describe the journey as a deeply personal experience.

Great stopping points for pilgrims

Many places along the routes are ready to provide a comfortable spot for a good rest, a proper meal, and a hot shower at a reasonable price. Sleep anywhere from open shelters and unattended cabins with self-catering and your own sleeping bag, to hostels and hotels that serve gourmet food.

On the Gudbrandsdalsleden, you should definetely stop at Sygard Grytting. Visiting this farm and Historic Hotel is like stepping back in time. The same family has been running the place for the last 700 years, treating hungry pilgrims to meat and fish from nearby forests and mountains, homemade bread and cakes, and marmalade made with berries from the garden. The farm also offers accommodation, both on the historic site and in its pilgrim hostel.

Your last chance to spend the night indoors before you start on the ascent to the Dovrefjell mountain range is the medieval pilgrim farm Budsjord. For dinner, you can try a moose taco (locally sourced) and sip a beer from the local brewery Hubertus.

These are just two of hundreds of places you can stop for a meal and a bed. Find detailed information and plan your overnight stays at pilegrimsleden.no.