Kjølvegen and Høgkorsa

From Brandbu on Hadeland does the St. Olav way follow an old mainroad between Hadeland and Toten: Kjølvegen or Høgkorsvegen. There are several theories as to the origin to these names.

Kjølvegen is mentioned in the Håkon Håkonssons saga in 1225. The king was at war against ribbungene which were at that time about to leave with their ships on timber over Eina towards Randsfjorden, where Håkon sent his army after them. Kjøvegen is also mentioned in the Sverre saga where Sverre put stocks underneath his ships to transport them between Randsfjorden and Einavatnet, thereby Kjølvegen. There are also theories that the word «kjøl» comes from a long mountain ridge, or perhaps from uncultivated or wilderness – like forest areas between two towns.

Høgkorsvegen comes from the 757 meter tall forest covered hill Høgkorset. The road was described in 1594 by Biskop Jens Nilssøn during his visit travels, where he alos tells about several cross that had been put up near the roads between Hadeland and Toten. It is believed that the cross were standing along the road up until the 1800. The amount of cross and exact placement is uncertain but they are supposed to have been standing on “The roads tallest points”. This place have been and still is a prayer and resting place for pilgrims.

New cross was put up in 2012.

Høgkorsplassen offer simpel over night stay for pilgrims from 2015. the St. Olav way goes from Høgkorsplassen over to Einavollen, and into Totens.