Berkåk - Trondheim

To Berkåk you can arrive with bus or train, from north and south.

• Train station name: Berkåk stasjon.
• Bus stop: Berkåk stasjon or Berkåk sentrum.
• For tickets, see www.entur.no.
• For train/bus times, see www.vy.no  or www.sj.no
   

In Berkåk there are multiple supermarkets. You also pass supermarkets along the way in Meldal, Løkken Verk, Skaun and Buvika.

Recommended hiking period: May 15th to September 30th. Outside this period, be sure to check the weather forecast (snow can arrive in October), and if the accomodations are open.

From Berkåk station, the direction to the Pilegrimsleden trail is well marked, with signs and several information boards along the way. Follow the markings to the Berkåk center, and from there along Kosbergveien road to a path that takes you to Eggan and Sliper farm. The stage continues from there through forests and fields, and you pass several great heritage places connected to St. Olav. You can see clear formations in the mountain that, according to legend, came from St. Olav’s horse when he rode through the village.

If you wish to walk further than Stamnan on this day, you can continue to Voll (a total of 15 km from Berkåk), or to Ry hostel (a total of 22 km from Berkåk). See the description under the headline "day 2".

Accommodation at Stamnan:

• Mjuklia
• Meslo farm
• Nørgar Voll
• Ry herberge

This stage begins with a climb, before entering a lovely agricultural landscape and the Rennebu Church and Gammelbua Pilgrim Information. At the church you’ll find the pilgrim milestone marked with 100-kilometer to Nidaros. This is the last point you can start your pilgrimage if you want to qualify for the Olav Letter. 8 kilometers after Rennebu church you can stop at Ry herberge. They offer a café for pilgrims, as well as accomodation. Alternatively, you can continue until you get to Segard Hoel, where they also offer accommodation and meals.

Accommodation:

• Nørgar Voll
• Ry herberge
• Segard Hoel

This is a long and eventful stage, with cultural heritage, churches, and old remains of farms close to the trail, and two decent climbs before you arrive. Meldal Village Museum and the Old Mine at Løkken Verk offer an insight into 17th-century local history, and there is an overall abundance of historical sites to explore along this stage if you have the time and interest. Both Meldal and Løkken Verk are small towns with supermarkets, and there are multiple accommodation options to choose from along the way.

Accommodations:

• Ner-Grefstad farm
• Olskastet Sælehus
• Skogheim pilegrim hostel
• Bergmannshuset
• Gumdal farm
• Svorkmo skytterhus

The trail towards Skaun passes through evergreen forest and across green grazing fields, following well-maintained trails. The beautiful lake, Solsjøen, offers a particularly idyllic scenery. About halfway through the stage, you will pass through an area of marshy ground, where your feet may get a little wet. After this section, the trail returns to firm paths and roads that lead you onward to Skaun.

In Skaun, you’ll find the impressive Skaun Church - a medieval stone church dating from around 1180, believed to have been built by the same stonemasons who worked on the octagon of Nidaros Cathedral.

Accommodation at Skaun:

• Skaun parish house
• Aunan gård
• Konstadtunet

The second-to-last stage on the way to Nidaros Cathedral passes largely through farmland, in the historic landscape made famous by Sigrid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter. Pilgrimage plays an important role in these novels, and Undset chose Husaby Farm, just beyond Skaun, to be the setting for the second book, "Husfrue".

At the beginning of this stage, you’ll enjoy views over the landscape behind you that you have already walked through. Toward the end of the stage, the route opens up to sweeping views of the river delta where the Gaula River meets the Trondheimsfjord. You are approaching your final destination!

If you wish, you can shorten the day’s walk by staying overnight at Belsås Farm and adding an extra day to your journey. This would allow you to avoid a particularly long final stage from Øysand to Trondheim.

Accommodation on Øysand:

• Belsås Farm (about 9 km before Øysand)
• Strandheimen pilgrim accommodation
• Øysand camping
• Lerfald gård
• Stabburet on Leinstrand (about 8 km past Øysand)

This final stage leads through lush cultural and agricultural landscapes in the outskirts of Trondheim, continuing through the very popular forest area, Bymarka, and down through the neighborhoods of Byåsen and Sverresborg. Along the way, you pass an old farmstead, the well-known Kongesteinen (King’s Stone), and attractions such as Granåsen Ski Centre and Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum, before finally reaching your final destination: Nidaros Cathedral.

Along the way, you pass Stabburet at Skjefstad and Lian Farm, both good accommodation options if you prefer to split the day in two.

At the Pilgrim Reception Centre in Trondheim, you can receive the Olav Letter, collect the final stamps in your pilgrim passport, be registered in the pilgrimage statistics, and obtain free access to Nidaros Cathedral.

Accommodation in Trondheim:

• Lian Gård (about 8 km before Trondheim)

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