Kystpilegrimsleia, the Coastal Pilgrim Route

The Coastal Pilgrim Path is a beautiful and spectacular journey along Norway's most important pilgrim route. The trail starts in Egersund and ends at the national sanctuary of Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Both Norwegian and foreign pilgrims went this coastal route to Nidaros, which was the most important pilgrimage destination in Northern Europe until the Reformation in 1537. In general it was faster to travel on a boat than over land. The Coastal Pilgrim route is mentioned in written sources already in the late 1000s. The Coastal Pilgrim Path is different than other pilgrim paths to Trondheim in that it is not one continuous hike from start to finish: it is a journey done largely by boat, with key places that you can visit, which all have local hikes and sights.

Program

This trips begins in Bergen and ends in Selje, before returning to Bergen and is a combination of boat trips and hikes. These hikes are mostly in the vicinity of key places that you visit - so there is no one big hike along the coast from the south to the north. These local hikes are signposted at the different key places and/or around your accommodation and can be done spontaneously and individually.

01. Travel day. Overnight stay in Bergen

You can choose between several different accommodations – from hotel to B&B.

02. Day in Bergen

A day of exploration in Norway’s second largest city. You can hike mount Ulriken – one of the most popular hikes in Bergen. The walk offers great views all the way. This is a very popular trip for both locals and visitors. It is steep, but you are rewarded with stunning views along the way and of course panoramic views of Bergen and the surroundings from the top.
From the top of Ulriken you can take Ulriken Cable Car back if you do not want to walk down.
A visit to Mariakirken (St. Mary’s Church) and Bryggens Museum are also highly recommended.

03. Bergen – Leirvik/Hyllestad

A ferry brings you from Bergen to Leirvik. Our partners of Viking Footprints will pick you up a for a historically themed afternoon, including a visit to the famous Millstone Park and an introduction to life during the Viking age. Only available from July to September.

04. Leirvik/Hyllestad – Kinn

From Leirvik/Hyllestad you take the next ferry, via Florø, to the remote island of Kinn – perhaps the high point of this trip. On Kinn you have a whole house to yourself. Meals are not included, but a basket with ingredients is waiting for you. There are no shops on Kinn.

05. Day on Kinn

Today you get a guided tour of parts of this incredible and remote island. You can further walk around the island (highly recommended!) and be part of the pilgrim service in the small church.

On Kinn you come across the Sunnivaleia (Sunniva Path) for the first time – a pilgrim path all the way to Selja, dedicated to Saint Sunniva.

06. Kinn – Smørhamn/Kalvåg

From Kinn you take the ferry back to Florø and onwards to Smørhamn. From the harbor it is just a few kilometers to Kalvåg.

07. Kalvåg – Selje

Another ferry takes you from Smørhamn to Selje – a spectacular boat trip.

08. Day in Selje

Selje Regional Pilgrim Centre is located in Selje and the sacred island of Selja is just a short boat trip away: by taking the ‘klosterbåten’ or ‘monastery boat’, which includes a guided tour. The island of Selja became the first pilgrim destination in the country when Olav Tryggvason found relics in a pit on the island in 996. According to legend the relics were from the God-fearing princess Sunniva, who fled from Ireland when she was to be wed against her will to a heathen Viking chief. St. Sunniva was Norway’s first saint and is the only female saint, after she was martyred in a pit on the island.

09. Selje – Bergen

A fast ferry takes you from Selje all the way back to the start of your trip: Bergen. Here you can relax a bit before traveling home/onwards.

10. Travel day

10 days, a combination of ferry rides and local hikes

May-September.

The main means of transport along the Coastal Pilgrim Route is ferry. You can do hikes at every place you stop. This means that you can decide for yourself how long and how often you hike. This makes it a very easy trip and a good introduction to the pilgrim experience.

You spend the nights in pilgrim accommodations, ranging from simple to comfortable. Cabins, B&B’s, hotels and everything in-between. In some places you can choose between different standards of accommodation. We can discuss the different possibilities with you that will lower the price.

It is not necessary to bring bed linen.

Dinner and packed lunch are not included in this package, because along this trail it is possible to decide for yourself where you would like to eat – and what. An exception is the island of Kinn, where a basket of ingredients is waiting for you, so that you can prepare your own meals. Breakfast is included in Bergen, Leirvik, Florø and Kalvåg.

Accommodation, meals as mentioned above, Viking experience Hyllestad (4 hours), guided tour Kinn, ferry and guided tour on Selja island (not available during all seasons), bed linen, booking, assistance through app (if needed).

Dinner, most packed lunches, breakfast in Selje, transfer to/from Selja island, luggage transfer, ferry, plane- and train tickets. You will of course be helped to find the trip that suits you best.

Luggage transfer from the ferry to the accommodation is available at most places. Ask us for details.

This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

Contact us for more information: info@nordicpilgrim.com or +31 6 12834782.

The exact price for this entire trip we can give after we have made a personal itinerary. The prices below are an estimate.

  • € 1.920 (one person, single room)
  • € 2.370 (two persons, double room)
  • + € 13 for STO Guarantee

Summary

  • Self-guided hike along Coastal Pilgrim Path, from Bergen to Selje and back again

  • Available from May to September

  • 10 days, a combination of boat trips and hikes

  • € 1.920 (one person, single room)

  • € 2.370 (two persons, double room)

Contact us for more info