Gudbrandsdalsleden
A 400-mile (643-kilometre) long-distance path following the St Olav’s Way pilgrimage route across Norway on a northward course from Oslo to Trondheim. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Location: 59.9059° N, 10.7689° E
Distance: 400 miles (643 km)
Walk Time: 30 Days
Trek Time: 24 Days
Suggested Map:
Norway Trail Maps
Summary
Gudbrandsdalsleden is the most popular, longest, and primary historic pilgrim path (“St. Olav Ways”) in Norway, stretching approximately 640–643 kilometres (around 400 miles) from Oslo to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. It is often referred to as the Norwegian equivalent to the Camino de Santiago.
The path leads through a series of remarkable landscapes, including typical Norwegian farmland, deep and dark forests, open country, and steep ascents and descents along the Gudbrandsdalen valley. The most demanding part of the walk is when it crosses the desolate and highly exposed Dovrefjell mountain plateau, where the route reaches its high point at Allmannrøysa. Note that the steep sections are often complicated with roots and rocks, and as the location is Scandinavian, you can expect sudden weather changes, especially on open wild lands and mountain sections.
All in all, the walk is exhilarating as you tread in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims while passing spectacular natural sites like Norway’s largest lake, Mjøsa, and historic sites like Lillehammer, Ringebu Stave Church, Sygard Grytting, the historic Dale-Gudbrand’s Farm, and parts of the old Kongeveien (King’s Road).
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