The Pilgrims Path - White Churches

Dear Pilgrim! What’s that you say? You are not a pilgrim? Are you sure about that? A «Peregrino» is a stranger, and that is exactly why we would like to invite you to get a taste of the pilgrim life. There is a 90km long pilgrim’s path that runs around Lake Tinnsjøen, it starts at Gransherad in Notodden and ends at Dal Church in Tinn. In the summer, you can also make the tour around by boat, the MS “Storegut” departs from Mæl to Tinnoset in Gransherad. On the way, you will pass 6 white churches. One of them, Dal Church was a place of pilgrimage as far back as the Middle Ages. Pilgrims travelled from afar, hoping to be healed by the Madonna in the Church. Today the Madonna can be found in the art museum in Oslo. The pilgrims’ path will also lead you past many charming old paths, that in the olden days transported the people of the village to their local church. The trail gives you fantastic views over Lake Tinnsjøen and the surrounding villages. But in Austbygde you can find perhaps the most beautiful part of the path, an 11km long round tour through woods and over hillsides with spectacular views. Take in the history of the villages, the untouched nature, the old roads built of stone and let yourself be overwhelmed. If you are completely captivated by one or two of the stages, then you can simply come back and experience the whole tour again. More information about accommodation possibilities and of course the pilgrims’ path can be found at www.kvitekyrkjer.no.