Valldalsleden

Valldalsleden starts by the fjords and ends in the Dovre mountain, connecting to Gudbrandsdalsleden that leads to 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.

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.

The Valldalsleden is beautiful, but also demanding. Here you get up into rocky high mountain terrain, and go for several days without mobile phone coverage. 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 (or GPS). We strongly recommend that you are experienced with longer treks in mountain terrain to embark on a longer hike along the Valldalsleden.

You also need equipment and clothing to be prepared for potential snowfalls, even in high summer.