Olav Haraldsson’s escape to Valldal

During the winter of 1028/29 Olav Haraldsson was on the run. He had made himself unpopular in the country, and this was exacerbated when one of his men, Aslak Fitjarskalle took the life of the lieutenant and Great Chief Erling Skalgsson during a battle in South Western Norway. Olav fled North with the army on his tail, but as he got closer to Sunnmøre he came to know that another army was approaching from the North. Some of his men, including Aslak Fitjarskalle spent the night in Borgund. Here, down by the harbour Aslak was killed by Vigleik Arnesson, who was the grandson of Erling Skjalgsson. It is said that his blood flowed out over a stone, and that that stone remains red to this day. According to the Sagas Olav Haraldsson sailed further into the fjord finally coming to a stop in Valldal. There he set fire to his ship and continued on foot over the mountains. If you would like to follow in Olav’s footsteps from Valldal, you can walk the Valldalsleden which is a part of the pilgrims path to Nidaros.