Ringebu - Otta

Arrival Ringebu station by bus or train, from either the north or south. 

• For schedules, see entur.no
• From Ringebu station it is 3,5 km to Ringebu stave church, which we recommend as the starting point.
• Accomo in Ringebu Johnsgård B&B or Bittes gjestehus

Recommended hiking period: June 1 to September 30. If you are walking late in the season, remember to check the weather forecast and ensure that the accommodations are open.

The pilgrimage starts at Ringebu Stave Church on Panoramaveien, “the road with good views”, to Vålerbrua. From the Våler bridge up through the residential area Kjønås and down towards the Bærsveinhølen, an old bridge site where the Frya river ends up in a mighty waterfall.

You continue through pine forests, on old roadways and along Gudbrandsdalslågen (a big river) until you see Dale-Gudbrands Gard, an old chieftain's seat and the centre of power for Gudbrandsdalen in the Viking Age. Here you will find the story of the meeting between Olav the Holy and Dale-Gudbrand in 1021, the historic "Christian church" from Snorre's Heimskringla. Today, it also houses a regional pilgrim centre, be sure to stop by for a chat and a stamp - and perhaps some advice for the rest of your trip. 

The pilgrimage continues past the South Fron Church from 1787 with distinctive features. An octagonal stone church located in the middle of the Gudbrandsdalsleden. You walk through the rectory where Ludvig Holberg lived for a period as a child. The rectory dates from the 1300s. The day ends at Sygard Grytting where pilgrims have been staying since 1280.

Accommodation at Hundorp:

• Sygard Grytting
• Pilgrimcenter Dale-Gudbrand
• Dale-Gudbrands gard

The second day will take you to the highest point of the path in Gudbrandsdalen, Skar, about 600 meters above sea level. Here you will find a gapahuk ("pilgrim refugee") set up to accommodate pilgrims and other hikers who need a break. Here you have great view of Gudbrandsdalen and the Jotunheimen Mountains.

The pilgrim path continues through a beautiful and varied landscape high above Vinstra. Then through pineforest, passing a tennantfarm Støslia, before decent down to Kvam.

Overnatting Kvam Kirketeigen Camping

Continue out of Kvam along the river Weikleåa and through fields before up a pineforest up to Nordre Løfta. Here you’ll find a pilgrim’s bench where you can rest and enjoy the view.

The trail goes down before up a gravel road to Dalum. Then down again to Varphaugen and Sjoa.

Accomodation Sjoa: 

Dalum herberge

Varphaugen Farm

The final day climbs up the hillside, following an old summer‑farm trail up to Sjåheim. Enjoy the beautiful view from the top! After Sjåheim, the trail descends toward Solheim and the endpoint of the hike: Otta.

In Otta you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops, and there are also several accommodation options if you wish to stay until the next day.

The train station in the city centre takes you both north and south by train or bus, to both Oslo and Trondheim.