Tankeplass – Artworks along the pilgrim trail

In 2021, part one of the art project was completed, and five beautiful artworks were installed. They can be found along the Gudbrandsdalsleden trail, more precisely in the municipalities of Gran, Østre Toten, Lillehammer, Øyer and Ringebu in the County of Innlandet (see pictures and map further down the page). Each artwork serves as a stopping point on the journey, creating a space for reflection and inviting you to rest.

New artworks underway

Part two of Tankeplass is now in progress, and artworks are completed in the municipalities of Nord-Fron, Vestre Toten and Hamar. Two more artwoks will be installed In the municipalities of Ringsaker and Stange in 2026.

In the long run, the goal is to establish a "Tankeplass", a place of thought, in every municipality the Gudbrandsdalsleden trail passes through, from Oslo to Trondheim.

They are meant to be places that invite you to reflect—where you can be alone with your thoughts, enjoy the view, exchange ideas with other hikers, and “refuel.” The project also highlights and revitalizes qualities and identities linked to landscapes and historic travel routes that have been abandoned in favor of modern infrastructure, breathing new life into areas of cultural and historical significance.

Who is behind it?

The idea of Tankeplass was developed in 2016 by a cross-disciplinary group in the former Oppland County, and is now being carried forward by Innlandet County.

Counties in Norway have a legal responsibility for public health and outdoor recreation, and Innlandet has also identified tourism as a key part of its business strategies. In addition, the county serves as a regional authority for cultural heritage, with both expertise and responsibility in this field. This forms the foundation for the Tankeplass initiative.

Eivind Slettemeås is the project’s curator, and funding from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB and Sparebankstiftelsen Hedmark ensures that the project is carried out with high quality. The Pilgrim Centers at Dale-Gudbrand, Granavollen and Hamar have contributed to the selection, placement, and implementation of the artworks.

More info about the project (Norwegian text).