Viking Magazine - August 2021 - 16

PLAN YOUR OWN
PILGRIMAGE
If you're thinking about walking
the St. Olav Ways, here's what you
need to know.
When to go: St. Olav Ways can be enjoyed
any time of year, but the main pilgrimage
season is from June to September.
How long to plan for: The shortest route
can be completed in an average of seven
days, while the longest may take upwards
of a month.
What you'll need: A padded backpack
to carry a sleeping bag, toiletries, clothes
and shoes, a cell phone and camera, a
guidebook and map, a towel, a small
first aid kit, a water bottle, walking sticks,
plus your Pilgrim Passport, which will be
stamped along the route as proof of your
journey. Pack as light as possible-Løvrød
recommends carrying no more than 25-30
pounds.
What to wear: Be prepared for weather
ranging from 32 to 90-plus degrees
Fahrenheit (0 to 32 degrees Celsius). Sturdy
hiking boots, a couple pairs of wool socks
and a rain jacket are a must.
How to prepare: Get fit! There are pilgrim
routes for every skill level, but starting
a walking routine before your trip will
prepare you for the days or weeks you'll be
on the trail.
Where to stay: Accommodations vary
from hotels to self-serve cottages to locals'
homes. Try to book your stays a couple
days in advance as you make your way
along the path. Alternatively, you can bring
and sleep in a tent. pilegrimsleden.no
wasn't long before stories of supernatural events
at Olav's gravesite started to ripple throughout the
community. It's said that his body showed no signs
of decay, and those who laid their hands on him
experienced miracles. A year after his death, King
Olav was officially canonized as St. Olav.
a christian tradition
Similar to the allure of visiting places Jesus once
occupied, such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem,
Christians in Norway began flocking to St. Olav's
tomb almost immediately following his death. For
centuries, these treks offered comfort to believers
wanting to feel closer to God and seek forgiveness
for their sins, but as the Lutheran Reformation
swept Norway in 1537, pilgrimages were banned.
It wasn't until the mid-20th century that
pilgrims returned to the trails, and on July 29,
1997-marking the 967th anniversary of St. Olav's
death-Crown Prince Haakon officially opened
Gudbrandsdalsleden, the first St. Olav Ways path.
Today, thousands of people travel annually along
the nine St. Olav Ways: Nordleden, St. Olavsleden,
Romboleden, Valldalsleden, Østerdalsleden,
Gudbrandsdalsleden, Tunsbergleden, Borgleden
and Kystpilegrimsleia. Løvrød says it's hard to give
a definitive number of pilgrims, since most only
walk a small portion of the 1,864 miles that make
up all the routes.
With trailheads across the country, the
paths vary in length, skill level and landscape.
Want untouched and wild nature? Check out
Østerdalsleden. Craving the views of a lush
countryside? Try Tunsbergleden. Curious about
one of the world's northernmost pilgrim paths? St.
Olavsleden may be for you.
Most recently, the Kystpilegrimsleia pilgrim
path opened along the western side of Norway. It's
the first route that allows pilgrims to travel along
the coast, crossing fjords, islands, islets and reefs.
" It's like a necklace of pearls along the coastline, "
says Løvrød, referring to the Medieval churches,
monasteries and stone crosses that dot the path.
Even with all the options, the majority
of pilgrims choose to embark on
Gudbrandsdalsleden, the main road to Nidaros
that stretches 400 miles from Oslo to Trondheim,
taking travelers an average of 32 days to complete.
Pilgrims don't have to attempt the entire route in
16 VIKING AUGUST 2021
sonsofnorway.com
http://www.pilegrimsleden.no http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - August 2021

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