Pilgrimage on the St. Olav Ways

Long-distance hiking is not the same as just … walking. You hike for several hours each day, and after some time, you 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 "right here, right now". Because long distance walking also makes you appreciate the true beauty of all those small things that appears in your way, like the morning dew or a butterfly's dance. As you walk, you can experience the true power of a pilgrimage. 

You will find pilgrim paths all over Norway. Most popular are the nine St. Olav Ways which all lead to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, where Saint Olav’s shrine has been the most important pilgrimage site in the Nordic countries since the former Viking king Olav II Haraldsson was canonized in 1031. The nine paths to the shrine make up a total of 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, which spans 643 kilometres from the capital of Oslo to Norway’s third-largest city, Trondheim. The route is the longest pilgrim path 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 untouched nature, and into medieval farms that offer culinary experiences based on seasonal ingredients from the district, 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 remission of sins – 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.

Pitstops for pilgrims

If you plan to complete your pilgrimage on high spirits and belief alone, you will probably struggle. But fear not – many places along the pilgrim routes are ready to cover your needs 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 stop at Sygard Grytting. Visiting this farm and Historic Hotel is like going back in time, and the family that has run the place for the last 700 years treats 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 the 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 the local moose taco, or you can just stop for a beer from the local brewery Hubertus.

But 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 on pilegrimsleden.no.