Valldalsleden

Valldalsleden starts by the fjords and ends in the Dovre mountain. There it connects to the Gudbrandsdalsleden pilgrim path that leads to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

Valldalsledn is the route the Viking king Olav Haraldsson, later known as St. Olav, chose when he escaped the country in the winter of 1028-1029. He had the ships pulled ashore in Valldal and from there he crossed the mountain to Lesja and Dovre.
 

Who is Valldalsleden suitable for?

The Valldalsleden is great, but also demanding, and is only recommended for those who are used to outdoor activities and hiking in the high mountains. Here you come up into rocky high mountain terrain, and go for several days without mobile coverage. You have to be prepared that it can start to snow up here even in the middle of summer. You must also expect to carry a good amount of food and equipment with you, as well as be comfortable using a map and compass and/or other orienteering equipment.

The main season for pilgrimage in Norway is June 1-1. September. In some years, the snow in the mountains can last longer than until 1 June. On the Valldalsleden, however, the season is much shorter because the trail runs in the middle of the high mountains. Often the trail is not passable until well into July. Both rock and snow avalanches can happend even in the summer from the mountain peaks above. The hiking stages here are much shorter than what many are used to due to the large amount of rock and gravel as well as the steep terrain. It is not recommended to cross the mountain before the snow has melted, then the markings may be hidden, and you risk problems due to snow and meltwater. There is no telephone coverage on parts of the route. It is recommended to bring full mountain equipment including bivibag/wind bag and sleeping bag with sleeping pad as well as sturdy mountain boots. Read more at Summer hiking gear list - DNT It is recommended to bring a topographical map and compass. Turkart Tafjordfjella & Reinheimen 1:50 000 - Calazo.no

Seamonsters and steep gorges

Valldalsleden starts at the pier in Valldal. The village is known for it's strawberries, so if you are in Valldal during the strawberry season you should try them! It was at Valldal that the Viking king Olav Haraldsson, later St. Olav, and his men went ashore in the winter of 1028 - 1029 according to Snorre Sturlason's royal sagas. The legend says he encountered a seamonster on his way into the fjord, which he threw up into the steep mountain wall in Syltefjellet, and the mark still stands there.

Shortly after the Valldalsleden pass through the center of Valldal, it goes up a steep hill - Korsbrekka. Here Olav stopped, according to the saga, before going further up the valley. The trail eventually passes the stone quarry at Døving, where there used to be a small chapel, and on to Gudbrandsjuvet and Alstad. Here Olav stopped in his time, and therefore it's a good place to make a stop for pilgrims. Gudbrandsjuvet is worth a visit, and there is available accommodation in Juvet Landscape Hotel or at Gudbrandsjuvet Camping.