Guidedgroup tourGudbrandsdalsleden

Arrival at the first accommodation & introduction of the group.

Today we start the ascent of Dovrefjell. On the bare plateau, wind and weather have free rein. You follow the old king’s road to today’s highest point: Allmannrøysa (1210 meters above sea level). For centuries people have placed a stone on this pile when they passed this point, but now the old road has been given monument status and the laying of stones is no longer allowed here. From Allmanrøysa there is still a descent of more than 6 kilometers to the fjellstue Fokstugu.

We walk back to the other side of the E6 and follow the path along the river Foksåa up through the Foksådal. The first part takes us above the tree line again, but later we mainly walk between birch trees. Along the way we enjoy the magnificent view over Dovrefjell and the Fokstumyra Nature Reserve, Norway’s most famous bird sanctuary. Finally we reach Lake Avsjøen, which we pass on the east side. Through a beautiful and varied terrain we reach Hageseter, where we spend the night.

After only one and a half kilometers we reach Veslehjerkinn; this area was already inhabited during the Viking age. Here stood the first sælehus – a safe haven for pilgrims and travelers – built by order of King Eystein Magnusson. At Hjerkinn, at an altitude of 965 meters, is the Eysteinkyrkja. The church from 1969 is designed after Norway’s national mountain, Snøhetta. We follow the old king’s road over Hjerkinnhø and after a few kilometers we pass the highest point (1288 m) with a beautiful view of Snøhetta and Rondane. Tonight we stay in the ‘palatial’ accommodation Kongsvold Fjeldstue and enjoy a special pilgrim dinner in the historic dining room.

Today we travel by train or mini-bus from Kongsvoll to Oppdal and you can rest from the efforts of the past few days. It may be a good opportunity to walk to Oppdal Church, which is located 2 kilometers outside the center. Of course you also have the opportunity to look around the center of Oppdal.

After leaving Oppdal behind, we continue walking through cultivated landscape and forests, surrounded by a beautiful mountain area. It’s not a difficult hike; we walk on typical Norwegian grusveier, interspersed with grass paths, to the next accommodation address. Along the way we regularly have beautiful views over the valley on your right.

Today’s tour leads through the beautiful Orkla valley – the river meanders through a cultural landscape with vast pine forests on the mountain slopes. Until Skjepphaugen, where we cross the river, we mainly descend. After the bridge we can choose between a steep climb with beautiful views over the valley or a flat walk along the banks of the Orkla. The last 2 kilometers we walk parallel to highway 700.

We reach Rennebu through the forest. After Rennebu we follow national road 700 for one kilometer and then we climb up the mountainside again. On the way we pass some old farms – so-called trønderlån – the typical style of large and medium-sized farms in Trøndelag. When we are back on the main road, it is only a few kilometers to the overnight address.

Today is also a beautiful stage along the Orkla, through Meldal to the mining village of Løkken Verk, mostly on flat gravel, asphalt and grass paths, but after Meldal and Malmplassen there are also a few steep climbs.

A short stage today, so actually half a rest day. At Malmplassen we are reminded of the mining industry and we see some remains of the old smelting furnace. There is also a milestone here that indicates that it is still 61 kilometers to Nidaros.

After passing Lake Solsjøen and Korslia Farm, we reach a shelter designed as a ‘living room’. A great place for a break. Then a tour through a beautiful and deserted peat area begins. This was the route used by the pilgrims in summer, in winter they walked higher along the slope through the snow. After a few kilometers we leave the marshy area again and walk on forest paths and gravel roads to Skaun.

The milestone in Skaun states that it is still 38 kilometers to Nidarosdom in Trondheim. We first walk to the historic site of Husaby. We walk between fields and meadows in the direction of the river Gaula.

In the first kilometers of the last stage to Trondheim, a short but tough climb awaits you. Later we walk through a forest area and finally through the streets of Trondheim to the Nidaros Cathedral, the goal of this pilgrimage walk.

Trip back. You can book extra nights in Trondheim if you want.