Otta - Oppdal

The starting point, Otta, is a stop on the train line between Oslo and Trondheim as well as for many bus routes east-west and north-south.
Otta is the largest town and commercial hub for the Nord-Gudbrandsdal region.

• See https://entur.no for both bus and train routes.
• From Otta Station, you can take a local bus to Dovre Station (34 km) if you prefer to start from Dovre instead.

From the end point of the trip, Oppdal, or along the way at Hjerkinn or Kongsvoll, you can take the train in the direction of Oslo or Trondheim.

There is a supermarket in Dovre, but after that there will be no supermarket before Oppdal. All accommodation providers offer meals or sell food for self-catering.

Accommodation in Otta:

• Killi Guesthouse
• Thon Hotel Otta

Do not set off too early in the year, and remember to bring appropriate equipment.

Until about 15 June, Pilegrimsleden across Dovrefjell is considered technically closed, meaning that the infrastructure is limited and some hostels may be closed. The rivers are full of icy meltwater and cannot be crossed safely. Bridges over the rivers Hondyrju and Vesle Hondyrju are installed around 15 June. 

We also want to bring attention to the fact that the first part of this route goes through calving areas for wild reindeer. The reindeer are highly vulnerable and are a species of European conservation responsibility. Show caution and consideration. We strongly encourage people not to walk Pilegrimsleden across Dovrefjell before the calving period is over. In the action plans for conserving wild reindeer, the Ministry of the Environment recommends 18 June as the earliest date for travel across Hardbakken and Knutshø.

Before setting out, check whether the winter snow has melted and whether the accommodation providers have opened. Pilegrimssenter Dovrefjell can provide guidance on alternative routes. Even after the snow has melted, you must be prepared for rapidly changing weather, and temperatures close to 0°C can occur even in midsummer. Always check the weather forecast at yr.no before crossing, and always carry appropriate clothing in your backpack (including mittens and a hat).

From Otta, the trail follows the eastern side of the river Lågen. Just before the trail reaches Sel Church, a walk along a suggested additional path is recommended if you want to enjoy the waterfalls up the Ula river. At Sel Church there is a milestone reading “284 km til Nidaros”, as well as a bust of the author, university librarian, and literary critic Paul Botten Hansen.

The trail then continues on the western side of the Lågen towards Nord Sel. About halfway along, it passes the Skottvatnet Nature Reserve, which has abundant bird and wildlife. The trail then takes you through Jørundgard. This reconstructed medieval farmstead has 16 buildings and a beautiful stave church.

Accommodations along this stage:

• Jørundgard Medieval Center
• Øygarden Pilgrim Hostel

The trail heads north to Nord-Sel Church. Outside the church gate you will find Kari Rolfsen’s beautiful statue of the young Kristin Lavransdatter. The churchyard includes a memorial to fallen British soldiers from the Second World War. The trail continues along the local road past Laurgard, where Sigrid Undset lived while writing parts of the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. Ascending through the wild and narrow Rosten valley, the route crosses the railway over one of the tunnel roofs. As the route approaches the village of Rosten, it passes the abandoned small farm Ringen. In this area there is an Olav’s spring.

After Rosten, you can choose whether to follow the current trail of Pilegrimsleden or the original route established in 1997. See the information board.

Accommodations along this stage:

• Vollheim Camping and Cabins
• Dovreskogen Guest House
• Dovreskogen Camping

On the third day of the journey, you pass through lush forest on the hillside by Veslfjellet, before emerging onto Solsidevegen with a lovely view over the valley and the mountains on the opposite side. Solsidevegen takes you all the way down to Dovre village, where you will find the last shop before Dovrefjell. The next supermarket is in Oppdal, about five days’ walk from here.

Outside Dovre Church, a milestone indicates that it is 250 km from here to Nidaros. You can spend the night down in Dovre, or begin the climb toward the mountains and stay overnight at Budsjord. On the way up the hills, you also pass an old church site, where there is a St. Olav's spring.

Accommodations along this stage:

• Toftemo Tourist Station (Dovre)
• Budsjord Historical Farm

Today’s stage begins with a steady climb that takes you up into a beautiful high-mountain landscape. The trail follows Kongevegen (the King’s Road). You will eventually reach the open mountain plateau at Ståkån - a name that reflects travel across the mountains in earlier times and the need to mark the route during winter. From Ståkån onward the terrain levels out somewhat, but the ascent continues toward the highest point of Pilegrimsleden between Dovrebygda and Fokstugu. This place is called Hardbakken, and here you'll find a large stone cairn known as Allmannrøysa.

Allmannrøysa is an impressive and important cultural monument, and nearby archaeologists have found a pilgrim badge dating from the 12th century. Even up until today, many people place a stone here as a symbol of something heavy they have been carrying. On the final part of the stage, you will cross the rivers Hondyrju and Vesl-Hondyrju before continuing down to Fokstugu Mountain Lodge or further on toward Furuhaugli.

Accommodations along this stage:

• Fokstugu Mountain Lodge
• Dovrefjell Lodge (Furuhaugli)

This stage is perhaps the most beautiful stretch of this trip. Along the trail you will see both burial cairns and trapping pits as you move through mountain landscapes that are rich in fascinating wildlife and abundant plant life. The stage starts with an assent, and afterwards the trail passes multiple mountain lodges and tourist cabins that are well suited for rest stops.

After Hageseter, you will pass the restored remains of two medieval buildings at Vesle-Hjerkinn, the first purpose-built accommodation for travelers crossing Dovrefjell, dating back to the 12th century. At Hjerkinn you will find the beautiful Eysteinkyrkja, built in 1969 for pilgrims and other travelers crossing the mountains. The church is named after King Eystein Magnusson, who ruled Norway from 1103 to 1123 and who, according to the sagas, had shelters built for travelers crossing Dovrefjell.

Pilegrimssenter Dovrefjell is open throughout the summer in Eysteinkyrkja, and everyone is welcome to stop by for a quiet moment, a conversation, a stamp, or to get information about the route further toward Trondheim.

Accommodations along this stage:

• Dovrefjell Lodge (Furuhaugli)
• Dovregubbens Hall
• Hageseter Tourist Cabin
• Basecamp Frich’s Hjerkinn
• Snøhetta Camping
• Hjerkinn Mountain Lodge

After Hageseter you pass the restored remains of two medieval houses at Vesle-Hjerkinn, the first established accommodation for travellers crossing Dovrefjell, dating back to the 12th century. At Hjerkinn you will find the beautiful Eysteinkyrkja church, built in 1969 for pilgrims and other travelers crossing the mountain. The church is named after King Eystein Magnusson, who was king of Norway from 1103 to 1123, and who, according to the sagas, had sælehus (shelters/hostels) built for travelers crossing Dovrefjell.

Dovrefjell Pilgrim Center is open in Eysteinkyrkja throughout the summer, and everyone is welcome to stop by for a quiet moment, a conversation, a stamp, or to get information about the route onward toward Trondheim. 

The stretch from Hjerkinn to Kongsvold is majestic. Along the way you have views of both Snøhetta and Rondane, with a beautiful hike along the old King’s Road over Hjerkinnhøe. On the descent from Hjerkinnhøe you pass the cultural heritage site Porten, which marked the old boundary between southern and northern Norway. Today it is the border between two counties and two municipalities. The place is called Porten (“the Gate”) because welcoming archways were erected here when kings traveled across the mountains.

The stage ends at Kongsvold Mountain Lodge, which offers accommodation and is itself a cultural monument. It is the only mountain lodge on Dovrefjell owned by the state, and it has served travelers continuously since the late 17th century. Here you will also find a magnificent mountain garden, created by the botanist Thekla Resvoll in 1923. Just a few hundred meters beyond the lodge you will find Kongsvold Station, where you can take the train toward Oslo or Trondheim.

Accommodations along this stage:

Kongsvold Mountain Lodge

After Kongsvoll, a new mountain area awaits: Knutshø. The first 4 km follows along the hillside above the E6 and have recently been restored. Drivdalen is particularly wild and beautiful in this area. When arriving at Gammelhullet, the ascent of the well-known Vårstigen begins. Here, Pilegrimsleden follows the Kongevegen across Dovrefjell as far as Vårstigåa. After the bridge, the trail makes a sharp turn to the right and climbs up onto the mountain. The King’s Road continues downhill toward Hesthåggan and onward to Oppdal.

On the mountain plateau, you pass Vårstigsætra before joining the old farm road to Bøasetersætra. Follow this farm all the way until you reach the car road. From there, follow the road down to Ryphusan. It is a beautiful hike, but it can be somewhat demanding in poor weather.

At Ryphusan, capacity is limited, with only 8 beds indoors plus 2 mattresses. In addition, there are 4 camp beds outside in a tent. For this reason, accommodation is offered on a drop-in basis only. In other words, it is not possible to reserve in advance at Ryphusan, and groups are asked to choose other alternatives.

There is a road all the way to Ryphusan, and Oppdal Taxi offers to pick up pilgrims upon agreement. They also provide transport back the next day, allowing you to continue your walk.

Accommodations along this stage:

• Ryphusan
• Plassastoggo
• Smegarden Camping
• Granmo Camping

From Ryphusan, the trail follows the beautiful valley of Vinstradalen, passing Mikael’s Chapel at Rise and continuing down to Smegarden Camping (15 km).

After the campsite, the trail passes through a stunning cultural landscape with farms and cultivated fields. Here, the cultural heritage sites are many. The most famous is the burial ground at Vang, with more than 1,000 Viking graves. After the field at Vang you will soon arrive at Oppdal Church, which has been an important place since the Middle Ages and long before that.

From Oppdal Church, it is 3 km down to the town center, where you will find shops, cafés, accommodation, and Oppdal railway station. Pilegrimsleden continues along Rv 70 before turning onto the Old King’s Road heading north. If you are going to Oppdal station, it is easy to follow the pedestrian and cycle path in direction of the town center.

This final stage is long but easy to walk. If you wish to add an extra overnight stay, there are options available along the route.

Accommodations along this stage:

• Smegarden Camping
• Granmo Camping
• Vekve hyttetun
• Oppdal Gjestetun Hotel
• Oppdal Turisthotell