Coastal Pilgrim Path

Imagine yourself a thousand years ago. You’re sitting in an open boat, the wind howling and the waves beating rhythmically against the hull. You're headed toward Trondheim, to visit the grave of Saint Olav. Right now, we are sailing through the Trondheimsleia, a part of the ancient coastal route to Nidaros that has been followed by pilgrims from all over the world for centuries. This route is known as the Coastal Pilgrim Path, Kystpilegrimsleia, and it stretches from Egersund in the south to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. During the Middle Ages, it was the most traveled pilgrimage route in Norway. In a way, we are following in the footsteps of Saint Olav and the Christianization of Norway. Between Kristiansund and Trondheim alone, there are six official key sites, where you can learn more about the history, the life of Saint Olav, and the rituals of medieval pilgrimage. Perhaps someone on our boat right now is carrying a backpack and an open heart, heading toward Nidaros and Trondheim, just like the pilgrims have done for nearly a thousand years.