Hamar - Lillehammer

You can easily reach the starting point in Hamar by both bus and train (70 minutes from Oslo), and Pilegrimsleden is located just below the station.

• See www.entur.no for both bus and train schedules
• You can also arrive in Hamar by the pilgrim boat Skibladner across Lake Mjøsa, see skibladner.no.
• Flight: Oslo Airport Gardermoen, 50 minutes by train to Hamar.

From the end point of the hike in Lillehammer, you can also easily travel by bus and train both north and south, as Pilegrimsleden passes right by the station.

The recommended hiking period is from May to September/October. If you hike outside the main season (June 1st - September 1st), remember to check the weather forecast and ensure that the accommodations are still open.

From Hamar city center, follow the path along Lake Mjøsa to Domkirkeodden. Here you will find the beautiful ruins of the old cathedral from the 12th century, housed under a spectacular glass canopy. During the summer season, you can join one or more of the museum's regular guided tours. In addition to lectures and beautiful Gregorian chants in Hamardomen, the guided tour of the medieval site and the herb garden is recommended. Nearby is also the Hamar Pilgrim Center, where everyone is welcome to stop by for a chat, a stamp, and more information about pilgrim walking on the Gudbrandsdalsleden

From Domkirkeodden, follow the Pilgrim path into Furuberget Nature Reserve. The area is known for, among other things, several rare plant species and the remains of a rural castle, visible with remnants of rock and earth ramparts. Along the path towards Brumunddal, you alternately walk on asphalt and dirt roads through a hilly, agricultural landscape and forests. Remember to use appropriate shoes for the ground. You pass Furnes Church, a stone church from 1708, and a typical medieval cave wall at Nordre Jevanol. Brumunddal city centre is a pleasant place to stop for a break at one of the cafés, before having to embark on the climb up towards Veldre. The reward is a beautiful view of Lake Mjøsa and the country side.

Accommodations on the stage:

• Pilegrimssenter Hamar and more (Hamar city)
• Atelier Lefstorvet (Furnes)
• Wood hotel (Brumunddal)
• Kvarstad gård (outside Brumunddal)
• Koss gård (Veldre)
• Frich´s Motell og Spiseri (Rudshøgda)
   

From Veldre church the pilgrim path continues on the idyllic Prestvegen ("The priest road") between Veldre church and Ringsaker church. The road was named because the Veldre priest lived by Ringsaker church and had to travel this way between parishes until 1876. Along the trail you will pass Norway's oldest pine Tokstadfurua and Prøysenstua; the Norwegian poet and songwriter Alf Prøysen's childhood home. Here is also a nice café with traditional, homemade food. 

Next stop and 12 kilometres from Veldre, is Ringsaker Church. This medieval church from approx. 1180, beautifully situated by Lake Mjøsa, is dedicated to St. Olav.

From Ringsaker church, you will pass Mjøskastellet and the rock carvings at Stein farm. The pilgrim path follows trails and old roadways along lake Mjøsa towards Moelv village, where you can stop for supplies. On Smestadsletta just north of Moelv, you will find Ringsaker's answer to Stonehenge: the twelve-stone ring. This stone formation was erected in the early Iron Age 2,000-2,500 years ago and consists of 12 standing stones placed in a circle with a diameter of 25 meters. Continue further along the road, and turn right, up onto Ringsvegen. After about 2 km, you will reach Ringen. 

Accommodation:

• Frichs Motell og Spiseri (Rudshøgda)
• Pilegrimsstuggua (ved Ringsaker kirke)
• Steinvik camping (Moelv)
• Ringen Rehabiliteringssenter (Ring)

Today's stage continues on asphalt a few kilometres before you reach a path around Persvetjernet (pond) and further onto a gravel road towards the small village of Brøttum.  Here you find Brøttum church, and also a grocery store. In Brøttum you can stay the night at Brøttum camping, or keep on walking to Brynn.

Accommodation:

• Olasvehaugen
• Brøttum camping
• Brynn (Bergsengsroa)

Today, the trail goes down towards lake Mjøsa again, and continues on a gravel road through hilly terrain past farmyards and forests. Along the gravel road past the old Bergseng station, you will eventually pass an old Olav's spring on the right side. This spring, a natural emergence, belonged to the holy springs that people sought in the Middle Ages to be healed of various diseases. The springs were often dedicated to a saint, and this one was dedicated to Saint Olav. There are many such historical Olav's springs along the entire Pilgrim's Route from Oslo to Trondheim.

After a while, the trail goes uphill until you reach National Road 213. Now you are on the last stretch, walking on a pedestrian and bicycle path until you arrive at Lillehammer city center after six kilometers. At Søre Ål church, there is a nice resting place for pilgrims, with an outdoor stamp available.

Lillehammer is a charming small town with a varied offer: Lillehammer Museum, Maihaugen, Sigrid Undset's home Bjærkebek, the Olympic Park, and Storgata – old wooden buildings and a shopping street with pleasant restaurants and cafés. Th pilgrim route passes Lillehammer church, which is open daily with volunteers all summer. Everyone is welcome here for a quiet moment.

Your trip has come to an end, relax and enjoy your evening in Lillehammer, or take the train towards home from Lillehammer station.  

• Brynn (Bergsengsroa)
• HI Lillehammer Hostel with more (Lillehammer city)

An overview of all accommodation options and more information can be found in our trip planner: Pilegrimsleden | Maps