Norway_2024

NORWAY.

Oslo and the first segments of the Saint Olav's Way Gudbrandsdalsleden (Oslo to Eidsvoll).

14/Aug/2024 to 18/Aug/2024 (4 stages, 3 full hiking days).

Gudbrandsdalsleden takes you from the capital of Norway, Oslo, to the pilgrimage town of Trondheim. It is a 643 km long, well-marked pilgrim path. Along the way you can experience beautiful cultural landscapes by lake Mjøsa, stay at historic farms in the valley Gudbrandsdalen, hike across the vast Dovrefjell mountain plateau, and enjoy the lush nature of Trøndelag.

[from www.pilegrimsleden.no]

CLICK HERE for the Saint Olav's Way trail in 2015 (8 stages from Hamar to Kvam)

CLICK HERE for the Saint Olav's Way trail in 2021 (17 stages Kvam to Trondheim)

Wednesday 14/Aug/2024.
Home to Oslo journey & HIKE 1 - from Stovner to Aaraas Farm.

Train from Oslo Airport to downtown Oslo.

Oslo main train station.

HIKE 1 - from Stovner to Aaraas Farm.

First waymarking.

Reaching Aaraas farm, the pilgrim hostel.

Hostel kitchen.

Tent setup.

Transportation:

---- Scandinavian Airlines flight SK817 from Dusseldorf (DUS) to Oslo-Gardermoen (OSL), 12:25-14:15, 1h50, 130€ incl checked bag.

---- Flytoget express train from the airport to the city center (Oslo S), every 10 minutes, 0h20, 240NOK (~20€).

---- Metro ride, T-bane line 4 or 5 direction Vestli, until Stovner, every 15 minutes, 0h25.

|---| Tent setup at Aaraas Farm, 200NOK/p.

Thursday 15/Aug/2024.
HIKE 2 - Aaraas Farm to Arteid Gard (18km).

The easy and short route today is a mix of trails and road walking. Look out for the various rest areas to enjoy lunch and the pretty Skedsmo Church, where you can enter if there are no services on. It’s worth noting that you can walk longer days out of Oslo should you choose to. The reason that we broke down our daily stages like this was two-fold. Firstly, to ease into the walk gently. Secondly, around Oslo airport there is no pilgrim accommodation and camping is a little unknown, instead you must stay in a hotel. Therefore, we structured our days to avoid this issue. Amenities: Skedsmo Church has the option to refill water bottles and there are various rest areas on route. Otherwise, there are no shops, so ensure you have food available.

At Olavsgård and Hellerudsletta we are in the area where Olav Haraldsson, who later became Olav the Holy, defeated Raumen in the battle of Nitjar in 1021. You walk past Skedsmo medieval church, where there is a copy of the original statue of Olav that stood in the church in the Middle Ages. Furthermore, follow the historic road trip Farseggen to Leirsund and into Sørum municipality. After a couple of kilometers long national road 259, when we have crossed the railway, we keep to the left and follow the field edge up to Frogner church. The beautiful old church is from the Middle Ages and has contained one of Akershus' two famous runic inscriptions. Continue further down to Frogner where there are shops and nice Kafe Mat og Glede. Continue north and follow east into Lindebergveien, then turn right into Revestien and through the forest. At Vilbergfjellet is Olavsgangen, a natural formation that will be a trace of the keel of St. Olav's boat, this could sail both on land and on water. Out of the forest we follow the edge of the land up to Arteid Farm.

Accommodation: Arteid Vestre is a cute and basic accommodation option for pilgrims. It’s a self serve affair with a small kitchen and basic beds. Sleeping bags are required (as with most accommodation on this route from Oslo to Trondheim). The charge is 200 NOK per person and cash is required.

Leaving the hostel.

Mile stone at Skedsmo Kirke.

Saint Olav monument near Skedsmo Kirke.

Frogner Kirke.

Apple tree overloaded with fruit.

Saint Olavs gang.

Arteid Gard.

|---| Tent setup at Arteid Gard.

Friday 16/Aug/2024.

HIKE 3 - Arteid Gard to Innomhaug Pilegrims Herberget.

The route is relatively flat with some trail walking, some track and some road. There are a few rest areas and some interesting monuments on route. Ullensaker Church, near to the start of the walk is a pleasant stop and often serves coffee. Raknehaugen is an interesting area too, being a large historic burial ground. Amenities: Again, there are no amenities on route today (apart from the church). If you do need a supermarket, you can walk a little further past Risebru to the Kiwi Supermarket in Dal

From Arteid you enter Ullensaker municipality, towards Kløfta, through Miklagard golf and up to Ullensaker church. The church site dates back to the Middle Ages, when the church was dedicated to, among others. and Saint Olav. Today's church is designed by Arnstein Arneberg and carries elements of the churches that have stood here before. Turn right right after the church. The trail now runs in a varied cultural landscape, along the road and through forests to Jessheim center. The trail goes through Storgata. Here there are shops and cafes. After the city center, the trail goes down Gropaveien, where pilgrims and other travelers have left their mark, the road has been eroded three meters into the terrain of traffic for many hundreds of years. Raknehaugen is Northern Europe's largest monument from the Iron Age, built up of earth, sand and 75,000 logs, monumental and beautifully situated by Ljøgottjern. This is a nice place for a break. From here, the trail goes around Nordbytjernet. At Eldstad is a great part through the cultural landscape, before going in the direction of Risebru.

Leaving Arteid Gard.

Ullensaker Kirke (1958).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ullensaker_Church

Elleville Pub, Jessheim.

|---| Tent setup at Innomhaug.

Saturday 17/Aug/2024.

HIKE 4 - Innomhaug Pilegrims Herberget to Dal train station.

A little bit of the route today is on road and pavement, across a few fields, and few short inclines but mostly flat. There are a few places where you could get lost, but these are minor and easily corrected. Look out on the map to check your location. Some nice footpaths with bridges.