See more about the route on the left
Start west of Oslo, continue over the historical Hadeland, through the diverse Gudbrandsdal valley and mighty Dovre mountain, towards the final destination Nidaros.
From the Old Town over Hadeland
After having followed the pilgrim path westward from the ruins of St. Mary's Church in the Old Town in Oslo towards Bærum, the route mainly follows "The old Bergen main route" over Krokskogen (Krok forest) to Ringerike. A detour is recommended to Bønsnes church which according to tradition was erected by Olav Haraldson, before continuing over Granavollen with more medieval churches.
The road goes on via Kjølvegen towards Hoffsvangen, Kapp and Mjøsa along historical paths in a trouble–free terrain through vibrant villages and rolling, rich landscapes, full of cultural heritage sites.
The boat over the river Mjøsa
From Kapp or Gjøvik you join the 150 year old steamboat "Skibladner" over to Hamar which has pilgrimage attractions such as the cathedral ruins at Domkirkeodden. Here the Gudbrand valley route meets the eastern alternative, the Romerrik route, before the journey continues north.
Through the Gudbrand valley
The walk up the Gudbrand valley is very diverse, and offers a new and different impression of the valley terrain. By following Kongevegstrekninger ('stretches of king's road') and old allmannaveier ('common folk roads') like Tjodvegen in Øyer, high up on the side of the valley, you will be wandering along a different landscape from that which you experience in a car along the E6 highway. References from the Kongesaga (King saga) show the historical importance of the small villages, with old habitation and cultural heritages, that you pass along the way.
Across Dovre towards Nidaros
The walk from Budsjord and up to the Dovre mountain is up–and–down, consistently progressing upwards. Your hard work is rewarded, however, with a magnificent crossing of Dovre. In the Middle Ages this was one of the stretches the pilgrims feared the most. Into Trøndelag, the pilgrim path follows Vårstigen before it bears up towards the mountain and follows Vinstradalen to Oppdal and Vangfeltet: Norway's biggest burial ground. The stretch onwards is in a varied Trønder natural and cultural landscape through the villages Rennebu, Meldal and Skaun. The sum of all your experiences and efforts along the way is rewarded with a view of your destination Nidaros, from the peak at Sverresborg.
Pilgrim centres Oslo, Granavollen, Domkirkeodden, Dale–Gudbrands–farm and Dovre Mountain provide information, advice, suggestions for walks, travel packs with or without a guide, and quiet rooms.
Alternative routes along the Gudbrand Valley road, see also the column on the left:
- From St Mary's Church in the Old Town in Oslo you may follow the Romerike Way. This joins with the Gudbrandsdal Way at Hamar.
- If you do not wish to take the Skibladner over to Hamar, you may follow the Gjøvik–Øyer Way from Gjøvik on the west side of the river Mjøsa towards Lillehammer, and then onwards on the west side of Lågen to Øyer where you again join the Gudbrand valley road's main track to Nidaros.
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