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Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
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Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
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DFDS – Europe’s leading ferry operator 2012-2021
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Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
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Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
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Brim Explorer – Silent fjord tours by electric catamaran
Fjord Tours – experience Norway in a nutshell® with one ticket
Fjord Travel – Sustainable multi-day tours
Go Fjords – Tours and activities all over Norway
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
Secret Atlas – Svalbard and Northern Norway. Small Ship with 12 guests
Booknordics.com – tours and activities, safaris, cabins and adventure hotels
Stromma – sightseeing, excursions and experiences with bus, boat and train
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
Beitostølen – adventure and delight all year
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What drives three blokes to take off on an adventurous wild camping pilgrimage?
The St. Olav Ways – the pilgrim paths to Trondheim – consist of nine pilgrim routes, all leading to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The routes make up a total of around 3,000 kilometres of tranquil scenery through picturesque villages with a strong cultural heritage.
In the winter of 2009, Joly Braime from the UK was visiting the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, when he spotted an information board about the St. Olav Ways. The idea of setting out on a pilgrimage in Norway percolated in his mind for another five years, until in summer 2014, a break in-between jobs provided the perfect opportunity. He had a full month to hike from Oslo to Trondheim, with his British friend Dave flying out to walk with him for the middle two weeks.
The rest of the time he’d planned to walk alone, but within the first few days, he started bumping into a friendly American pilgrim from Michigan, also named Dave. After crossing paths enough times, they fell into step and ended up walking the rest of the way to Trondheim together. Joly talks about his journey with the two Daves and the wild stuff they experienced on their pilgrimage to Trondheim.
What was it that fascinated you about going on a pilgrimage in Norway?
“The idea of walking all that way and just camping up when you’d had enough for the day seemed like such an adventure. And I was really keen to make the most of the wild camping because it’s illegal in most of England.”
Is there a difference between ordinary hiking and a pilgrimage?
“There are a lot of nice things about hiking, but I think it does feel different when you’re hiking a route where people know what you’re doing. All the people who live along the way are familiar with the trail, so everyone knew we were pilgrims and were often welcoming or interested. The hospitality was really interesting. We often had people helping us out.”
“It was a really hot summer, and I remember one day I was slogging down the road in the baking hot sunshine and suddenly a lady came running out of her garden gate, waving a bottle of cold water for me. She ended up inviting me in to have a cup of coffee and a bit of lunch with her family. Those sorts of things happened from time to time.”
Were there any interesting experiences that you felt you might not have had as an ordinary hiker?
“Actually, the churches were an interesting experience along the way. None of us was particularly religious, but they were nice places to stop for a little bit of contemplation and a rest. When we got to a church that was open, we would go inside and sit there in silence for about ten or fifteen minutes, just to have a bit of a think.”
“It was a sort of punctuation to the trip that wouldn’t exist on other adventures. They’re very spiritual and relaxing places and each one was so different from the last. You get wooden ones, stone ones, slate ones, some are very old, and some are very modern.”
Why is it that people start asking big and important questions on a trip like this?
“Well, there’s a lot of time to think, of course, but perhaps it’s also because it’s a route that was devised in the first place for people to stop and contemplate along the way. You almost can’t avoid it.”
“You’re walking a route that people have walked for hundreds of years before you, at important junctures in their lives, and that adds a sort of spiritual aspect to the trip. And the way the people treat you is important too. You’re so instantly recognizable as a pilgrim. In quite an old-fashioned way you felt looked-after.”
How was it to reach your goal?
“It was lovely and the timing was perfect. When we got into Trondheim, there was this big festival with a medieval market going on. It felt like walking into the Middle Ages. Everything had been quiet and peaceful for such a long time and suddenly there was all the commotion of the city.”
“Trondheim is such a pretty place to walk into. And the cathedral is beautiful. A pilgrim priest spotted us almost as soon as we got there. He was straight up to us and said: ‘Are you pilgrims? You’ve arrived, congratulations!”
Plan your Norwegian pilgrimage yourself, ask a travel expert to help you, or join a guided group hike. Find tips and resources at St. Olav Ways official website.
The St. Olav Ways – the pilgrim paths to Trondheim – consist of nine pilgrim routes, all leading to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The routes make up a total of around 3,000 kilometres of tranquil scenery through picturesque villages with a strong cultural heritage.
Plan your Norwegian pilgrimage yourself, ask a travel expert to help you, or join a guided group hike.
Find tips and resources at St. Olav Ways official website.
Create your own trip with the Trip planner.
Is it possible to restore faith in life by walking? Kes Blans from the Netherlands had beaten cancer but had lost his ability to trust life. A pilgrimage from Oslo to Trondheim changed everything.
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