The final leg, Kristiansund - Trondheim

Over the course of seven days, you can slowly and calmly experience places, history, nature and culture at its finest. You can sense into and absorb the experiences, as well as immerse yourself in the themes that you encounter along the way. You are also likely to have good and meaningful encounters with people, at the key locations and elsewhere.

The trip is a combination of hiking and travel by boat and bus. This is the last stage of the Kystpilegrimsleia (the coastal pilgrim route) which starts in Egersund and consists of 25 key sites. The key sites are points of significant cultural and historical value, and have been selected to give us an understanding and an insights into the journey that medieval pilgrims made. Read more about what a key site is.

Remember to buy a pilgrim passport. Once you arrive in Trondheim, having travelled the length of this trip, you will be granted the Olav’s Letter, provided you have collected all six key-site stamps included in this journey.

Along the way, there will be a number of other places that offer stamps you can add to your passport. This allows you to create an extended book of memories. For example, hotels may have stamps you can add to your passport. Feel free to ask the places and people you visit, but please note that only the stamps from key sites count toward qualifying for the Olav’s Letter, even though having many additional stamps in your passport is a nice bonus. When you arrive in Trondheim, they will verify which stamps qualify and which do not.

Kystpilegrimsleia is accessible all year round. When arriving outside of the season for guiding and history talks, you can use the 'Voice of Norway' app. All key locations along this trip feature 10 stories each with audio and images. Read more about the app.

Read more: How to get an overview and find timetables

Tips and advice on packing and preparing for the journey can be found at the bottom of the page. You are also welcome to explore more at pilegrimsleden.no.

Day 1: Kristiansund - Kvernes

This final leg of Kystpilegrimsleia begins at Kristiansund Transport Terminal. Take the bus to Kjørsvika and walk the final hour to the key site of Kvernes Stave Church on foot. The stave church is truly worth experiencing, due to its beauty and historic importance. If you prefer, it is also possible to take the bus all the way to the site.
There are excellent walking paths and opportunities for culturally and historically themed walks in the area. Further up in Kverneslia, you will find Viking graves and other historic remains.

Enjoy the evening around the cosy outdoor shelter. There is accommodation at the beautiful Borgstua at Kvernes Vicarage.

Take the bus back to Kristiansund and then the express boat to the key site on Smøla, home to Edøy Old Church and the Kulisteinen. When you step ashore, head straight for the Regional Pilgrim Centre Smøla - here you are welcome to enjoy a coffee and something to eat. The church is accessible during the centre’s opening hours; please contact the staff for assistance.

The journey continues through a spectacular bridge-landscape along the county road on Smøla. Please be mindful of traffic, as there is very limited road shoulder to walk on here. After crossing the first bridge and walking for about 30 minutes, turn off toward Kulisteinen. It is signposted from the road. After visiting the site, continue on to the Pilgrim Hostel at Eco Camp Norway. There is a supermarket located right nearby.

We recommend walking to the stately Rosvoll Vicarage and the viewpoint at Rosvollhaugen. On a clear day, you can see the trail, the islands, the Nordmøre landscape, and majestic mountains. The outdoor shelter provides protection from wind from all directions.

After Rosvoll Vicarage, walk to the bus stop by Eco Camp Norway and take the bus to the Edøy ferry port. Enjoy the sea journey onward to Hitra. Arrive at the terminal in Sandstad and take the bus to Dolmsundet Hotel. From the bus stop, it is a short walk down to the hotel.

2 hour walk to Dolm: The walk begins by a bakery full of temptations, if you have the time to stop. Today, you will walk in the direction of Melandsjø, crossing the bridge 'Gammelbrua' to Dolmøya. Follow the road until you reach Kjerringvåg, then turn left toward Dolm medieval church. Here you can take in the peaceful atmosphere as you discover the grounds around the church.
There are several lovely paths and benches where you can take a break in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Many people experience a special sense of calm here. You may also wish to walk out to the floating pier, which welcomes seafarers traveling along the Coastal Pilgrim Route.

It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to walk to the bus from here. Walk to Kjerringvåg, where there is a supermarket with long opening hours. This time, stay on Dolmøyveien toward national road 714, rather than heading back down toward the old bridge. You will take the bus from Stråmyra to Dyrøy ferry port.

From Dyrøy, you can take the express boat or ferry to the beautiful and charming key site of Sula. It's recommended to check the opening hours at the supermarket by Dyrøy port and at Coop Marked Sula beforehand. Also note that there are different arrival points on Sula: the express boat stops in the harbor upon arrival, while the ferry arrives at a different location, from where there is a 20 minute walk to the village. The road is marked with the pilgrim symbol.

The fishing village of Sula is known as “The White City in the Sea,” and the island is home to artists and several galleries. Here, you are truly close to the people and the ocean. The church is open 24/7. At Terna Brygge, there is a restaurant and pub, where there often are cultural events.

On Sula, you can choose between the following pilgrim hostels and hotels:

• Fyrvokterboligen
• Sula Fishing Cabins
• Sula Sea Glamping
• Hotel Frøya is a good option, if you only want a day trip to Sula

Take the ferry or the express boat from Sula back to Sandstad on Hitra. From here, take the express boat to Brekstad ferry port. At the key site of Ørland, there are beautiful and well marked trails in a stunning natural and cultural heritage reserve. Austråttborgen is located a 45 minute walk from the port, where it stands beautifully as part of the protected natural area. Note that the signposts has the same top as the tower on the fortress.

At Ørland, great care has been taken with trail marking and visitor facilities in a beautiful and interesting landscape where they have succeeded in restoring Rusasetvatnet - a man-made lake that was drained during the 80s and 90s. In the link you will find a film that shows the moving story. This lake was once an important part of the power center of Austrått Fortress.

Be aware of opening hours if you wish to experience the inside of the chapel and fortress. Ørland Church is also part of the key site Ørland. Contact the church if you wish to enter the church.

• Hovde Gård is the pilgrim hotel at Ørland. This is a historic setting that is well worth treating yourself to.
• There are multiple accommodation options; the most affordable can be found at Austrått Camping.

You start the day by taking the express boat from Bekstad ferry port to Hasselvika. Please note that only certain departures stop there. There is a bus from Hasselvika to Rissa bus station, where you get off. You are now at the key location of Indre Fosen and not far from one of two selected points of interest: the beautiful and quite spectacular Rein Kloster (Abbey).

Here you can make a choice: Check in at Gjertrudstua and cross the narrow bridge down by the water (Botten), then follow the gravel road onward to Rein Kloster, about 3 km. You will see Rein Church as you approach. Walk up to the church and from there, the route to the ruins is marked. Walk back and enjoy the evening in lovely Strømmen.
Or, visit Rein Kloster and then continue along the well-marked Pilgrim Trail towards Stadsbygd.

There are two certified pilgrim hostels in Indre Fosen:

• Gjertrudstua in Strømmen (Rissa town center)
• Stadsbygd Prestegård (in Stadsbygd, right next to the Coastal Heritage Museum, Kystens Arv)

You are now at the final key location of the journey. The Coastal Heritage Museum, Kystens Arv, offers a rich array of fantastic exhibitions and beautiful outdoor areas. Get an insight into Norwegian coastal culture and history, and perhaps enjoy a lunch before traveling to Trondheim and arriving at the zero marker in front of the great Nidaros Cathedral.

In order to get to the bus to Trondheim, you need to walk to Stadsbygd Church bus stop. We recommend staying on the bus all the way to Trondheim Central Station and then follow the marked pilgrim trail to Nidaros. The marked trail begins in the station area and crosses the bridge to Fjordgata, where you turn left. Follow the pilgrim signs, and use the digital map if need be. How about celebrating the completion of your journey with something nice at Café To Tårn? In the same building, you’ll also find the museum shop and opportunities for guided tours of Nidaros Cathedral.

This journey, during which you have visited six key locations, qualifies you for the Olav’s Letter. This will be granted at the Pilgrim Reception Center located near Nidaros Cathedral.

We hope this journey moves and enriches you!