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 trip 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 - Eivindvik/Gulatinget
From Bergen you take the ferry to Sollibotn. From there it is just a few kilometers to the accommodation. From the accommodation it is ca. 4 kilometers to Gulatinget, Norway’s first and largest parliament and court for 400 years (from 900 to 1300 AD). The ting, or legislative assembly, convened in Eivindvik and Flolid. In the village of Eivindvik, you’ll find stone crosses dating from the 10th and 11th centuries, as well as Herresalen, the former home of Dean Dahl, an important figure in the village’s history. The Park is open to the public all year round. A guided cultural walk on your mobile is available. You find cultural walking trails in both Eivindvik and at the Gulating.
04. Eivindvik/Gulatinget – Leirvik/Hyllestad
A second ferry ride brings you 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.
05. Leirvik/Hyllestad – Florø
The next ferry brings you to Florø, the administrative centre of the municipality of Kinn. Florø is Norway’s (and thus the Scandinavian Peninsula’s) westernmost town. It is the most western town on the mainland in the Nordic countries.
06. Day in and around Florø
If you’re keen on taking in the smell of old boats and coastal culture, the Coastal Heritage Museum might do the trick. Here, you can discover local boat types from a bygone era and stroll through seaside landscapes with historical boathouses and coastal heathlands.
You can also take the ferry to the nearby island of Svanøy. Ever since the Viking Age, Svanøy has been a hub and center along the coast. A stone cross was erected on the mainland in honor of St. Olav, and later it was moved to Svanøy. Also worth a visit is Svanøy hovedgård. This stately main farm is beautifully situated with a view over Svanøybukt and Brufjorden.
It is possible to rent a bike to explore the island.
07. Florø – Kinn
From Florø you take the next ferry, 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.
08. 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.
09. 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.
10. Day in Kalvåg
Kalvåg, one of Norway’s best preserved fishing villages, is situated out at the ocean’s edge on the island of Frøya in Bremanger municipality. Fishing, cycling, kayaking, mountain hikes, visiting a spa or art gallery – Bremanger’s archipelago has lots to offer, both for active visitors to the region and for those looking for peace and tranquillity.
11. Kalvåg – Selje
Another ferry takes you from Smørhamn to Selje – a spectacular boat trip.
12. Day in Selje
Selje Regional Pilgrim Centre is located in Selje and the sacred island of Selja (with an ‘a’) is just a short boat trip away: with the ‘klosterbåten’ or ‘the monastery boat’, which also 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.
13. 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.
14. Travel day
14 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, Eivindvik, Leirvik, Florø and Kalvåg.
Accommodation, meals as mentioned above, Viking experience Hyllestad (4 hours), guided tour Kinn, boat and tour to Selja island (not available during all seasons), bed linen, booking, assistance through app (if needed).
Dinner, most packed lunches, breakfast in Selje, luggage transfer, ferry, plane- and train tickets. You will of course be helped to find the trip that suits you best. We also help you planning the ferries.
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.
- € 2.540 (one person, single room)
- € 2.995 (two persons, double room)
- + € 13 for STO Guarantee
Summary
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Self-guided hike along Coastal Pilgrim Path, from Bergen to Selje and back again
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Available from May to September
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14 days, a combination of boat trips and hikes
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€ 2.540 (one person, single room)
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€ 2.995 (two persons, double room)
