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Hadeland to Mjøsa - Along the Pilgrim´s Trail Day by day program More pictures

Hadeland to Mjøsa - Along the Pilgrim´s Trail

The 640km long Pilgrims’ Way runs from Oslo to Nidaros. When Olav the Sacred died at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030, he was made the patron saint of Norway. His reputation extended far beyond the country’s borders. In medieval times, Olav the Sacred lay buried in Nidaros, which, together with Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela, was among the most popular places of pilgrimage in Europe. The route leads through built-up areas, cultural landscapes, narrow valleys, peaceful forests and open mountain terrain. Along the way you can enjoy sites of historical interest as well as national cultural heritage. Pilgrimage Centres in Oslo and at Granavollen, Domkirkeodden, Dale-Gudbrand’s Farm and Dovre provide important information, offer guided walks and add an historical dimension to the pilgrimage experience.

Enjoy a walk without guide - and get your luggage sent on!
This tour are based on hiking through peaceful countryside, abundant in natural and cultural history. With the luggage transfer service, you can walk without guide and all you have to carry is a small backpack with extra clothing and a packed lunch for the day.

Hike along the Pilgrims' Way across Hadeland to Mjøsa.
Bønsnes by Tyrifjorden – Granavollen – Skibladner from Gjøvik – Domkirkeodden at Hamar – Lillehammer
Starting point is Bønsnes at Ringerike, which is where Olav the Sacred, the patron saint of Norway, spent his childhood years. The route runs via Granavollen at Hadeland, and then on to Gjøvik. You will then be transported to Hamar and the cathedral ruins at Domkirkeodden by Skibladner, Norway’s oldest paddle steamer. Most of the hike follows old routes with gentle terrain, and leads through thriving villages and a lush cultural landscape with an abundance of heritage sites. As part of the package, you will visit the Pilgrim Centres of Granavollen and Domkirkeodden. You stay in good hotels and Youth-Hostels during the tour. All rooms with private fascilities.

It is not decided if this tour will be arranged Summer 2011.
For groups: on request.

The price includes:
Accommodation: 7 nights with breakfast

6 selfmade lunch-pack & thermos refills

4 dinners

Bus Brandbu - Gjøvik

Skibladner Gjøvik - Hamar
Luggage transport: between the hotels.
Map an tour description.

Day by day program

Day 1: Arrival at Sundvollen Hotel. Evening meal and overnight stay.

Bus from Oslo Airport Gardermoen / Oslo to Sundvollen Hotel (1 hour).

Day 2:Hike from Svensrud via Bønsnes Church to Klækken – 22 km (bus transport for the final 6 km can be arranged).

The day starts with a transfer to Svensrud (7 km) and a walk along pleasant country lanes, paths and old medieval tracks featuring large burial sites and farms dating back to pagan times.You will also pass Bønsnes Church, dating back to the 1100s.According to legend, this was where Olav the Sacred spent his early years and became the driving force behind the building of the church.

Day 3: Hike from Klækken to Randsvangen – 14 km.

The trip leads towards Haug medieval church, built on a site of pagan significance, and then continues across farmland, along sections of the old route and along the new county road. Make time for a visit to the Kistefos Museum with its industrial exhibition, gallery and delightful sculpture park.

Hadeland Glassworks in Jevnaker (1762), producing beautiful handicraft, is among Norway’s most popular attractions.

Day 4: Hike from Randsvangen via Sløvika to Granavollen – 25.5 km

(Transport for the first part of the trip can be arranged to shorten this 25km walk).

Some uphill climbs on the first leg from Randsvangen to Velotoppen (approx. 100 m difference in altitude). Spectacular views over Randsfjorden. The final, slightly hilly leg to Granavollen leads through rolling and lush countryside.

In pre-Christian times, Granavollen was a vibrant centre in the old county of Hada, and is likely to have been home to Norway’s most important pagan temple which may have been located where the Sister Churches (12^th century) stand today. The medieval churchyard features a runestone from 1050 and the grave of Aasmund Olavssons Vinje. A 13^th century Stone House is rural Norway’s only secular stone building dating back to the Middle Ages, and it is still in use. Close by is the newly restored rectory garden, which is open to the public and provides a welcome rest for tired legs!Further information is available at Granavollen Pilgrimage Centre, and guided tours can be arranged.

Day 5: Hike from Granavollen to Brandbu (9.5 km)

From Granavollen, the Pilgrims' Way follows Bergenske Hovedveg / Kongevegen, which is the old main route from Oslo to Bergen. The hike continues through a beautiful, rolling cultural landscape with grazing animals, old farms and distinctive burial mounds, and then on to the 12^th century St. Petri Church. At Hadeland Folk Museum you will find a replica of the Dynnastein, a runestone dating back to the mid-1100s.It is Norway’s oldest Christian monument of its kind.As we leave the museum, we turn off from the road and continue along old trails down to Brandbu.On our way, we will walk past the ruins of St. Karin’s chapel and an old milestone.

Local bus transfer from Brandbu to Gjøvik.

In Gjøvik, we recommend a visit to Gjøvik Farm with its listed buildings and gardens of national importance - in terms of cultural history as well as architecture.

Day 6: Boat trip from Gjøvik to Hamar with Skibladner

Skibladner, the world’s oldest paddle steamer still in operation, will take us from Gjøvik to Hamar, and we will spend the day at Domkirkeodden where the ruins of Hamar’s old cathedral (1152) are located.Enjoy a guided tour of medieval Hamar, the glass cathedral covering the ruins and the park featuring an open air museum, exhibitions and herb garden.

Day 7: Breakfast and continue on to Lillehammer

It is too long to follow the Pilgrim`s Way alle the way from Hamar to Lillehammer. We recommend walking from Hamar to Brumunddal – 15 km.Lillehammer can then be reached by train (hourly departures).Journey time: approx.40 minutes.

In Lillehammer, the 1994 Olympic Host City, we recommend a visit to Maihaugen open air museum, Bjerkebæk – the home of Sigrid Undset, the art museum and Storgata with its famous wooden buildings.

Train to Oslo Airport Gardermoen / Oslo (hourly departures).

An alternative is to carry on along the Pilgrim`s Way from Lillehammer, through Gudbrandsdalen. Or to use the local bus from Lillehammer to Dovre and carry on the Pilgrim`s Way to Kongsvold. From Kongsvold train to Trondheim and the Nidaros Cathedral.

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Hadeland to Mjøsa - Along the Pilgrim´s Trail

Day by day program