The trail extends from Bjørvika in Oslo up through Nordmarka and Romeriksåsene to Nannestad. It passes on the north side of the main airport and skirts past Eidsvollsbygningen. The trail crosses the Vorma river south of Lake Mjøsa and extends over the Hedmarksvidda on the east side of Lake Mjøsa. It turns north just east of Lillehammer and rides the ridge on the east side of the Gudbrandsdalen. It enters the network of trails in Rondane at Gråhøgdbu and crosses Rondane from south to north. The trail ends at Hjerkinn on Dovre. Rondanestien is 460 km long, and there are accommodation options along the entire route.
Rondanestien stretches from fjord to mountain, over rocks and valleys. In some places, you walk through residential areas, while in others, you are alone in a damp stream valley or completely on the plateau. In other words, a variety of nature and cultural experiences.
In our area, there are a couple of stages:
Recommended day stage; Bekkestua-Kringledalen with an estimated time of 6.5 hours
Bekkestua – Kringledalen
From Bekkestua, you walk over Erpestadvangen and directly west to Storøyungen. The trail now runs directly north along the eastern shore of the lake. After about 5 km, the trail reaches Bjertnessjøen. At the northern end of the lake, it passes through Bjertnessetra and passes close to Rudskampen itself (585 m above sea level). If you have time, we highly recommend a trip to the top. It can offer incredible views of the Romeriksåsene. The trail continues over Mattismyra and further to the eastern end of Råbjørn. Here lies Råbjørnhytta idyllically by the water. A suitable day trip from Bekkestua and a good place to stay overnight. The route continues in an easterly direction, passing Nordbyvangen and Økrisetra. This is one of the rarely well-maintained mountain farms in Romeriksåsene. The scent of mountain farm life lingers in the walls, like the smell of resin on a winter evening. The trail now falls about one kilometer down to Losbyhytta before rising past Hokringlesetra again. At Jutulen, we have diverted the trail around the actual summit and down to an old Bronze Age cairn. See and be seen; the ancient Bronze Age kings wanted to be buried in places with a wide view, visible from a long distance away. In this way, they hoped to be remembered and respected for generations to come. The cairn on the east side of Jutulen is perhaps the largest in the area, over 20 meters in circumference. From the cairn, the trail steadily descends to Kringledalen, offering a new stage through the cultural landscape. For the brave, we recommend staying overnight in the forest edge – or contact Kringler Gjestegård!
Kringlerdalen-Nordmokorset
Estimated time 3 hours The Rondanestien now follows the road north towards Maura. There is a good bus connection further if you want to start or end here. There are also shops here for provisioning. The Rondanestien is marked through the center and further eastward, but you can also take a slightly more pleasant, smaller road eastward just south of the center, via Jælberg, and come up at Kopperudmoen. Then towards Nordmokorset. Now you enter the former military training areas Trandum and Sessvollmoen, with both trenches and tank tracks. The area is characterized by air traffic from Gardermoen, but it's great to take a break at the idyllic Sørmotjernet before continuing and crossing Dalslinna about 400 m east of Nordmokorset.
Rondanestien – From Fjord to Mountain is a collaborative project between DNT Oslo and Omegn, Nannestad Municipality, Eidsvoll Municipality, Hamar and Hedmarken Tourist Association, and Lillehammer and Surrounding Tourist Association.
The trail extends from Bjørvika in Oslo up through Nordmarka and Romeriksåsene to Nannestad. It passes on the north side of the main airport and skirts past Eidsvollsbygningen. The trail crosses the Vorma river south of Lake Mjøsa and extends over the Hedmarksvidda on the east side of Lake Mjøsa. It turns north just east of Lillehammer and rides the ridge on the east side of the Gudbrandsdalen. It enters the network of trails in Rondane at Gråhøgdbu and crosses Rondane from south to north. The trail ends at Hjerkinn on Dovre. Rondanestien is 460 km long, and there are accommodation options along the entire route.
Rondanestien stretches from fjord to mountain, over rocks and valleys. In some places, you walk through residential areas, while in others, you are alone in a damp stream valley or completely on the plateau. In other words, a variety of nature and cultural experiences.
In our area, there are a couple of stages:
Recommended day stage; Bekkestua-Kringledalen with an estimated time of 6.5 hours
Bekkestua – Kringledalen
From Bekkestua, you walk over Erpestadvangen and directly west to Storøyungen. The trail now runs directly north along the eastern shore of the lake. After about 5 km, the trail reaches Bjertnessjøen. At the northern end of the lake, it passes through Bjertnessetra and passes close to Rudskampen itself (585 m above sea level). If you have time, we highly recommend a trip to the top. It can offer incredible views of the Romeriksåsene. The trail continues over Mattismyra and further to the eastern end of Råbjørn. Here lies Råbjørnhytta idyllically by the water. A suitable day trip from Bekkestua and a good place to stay overnight. The route continues in an easterly direction, passing Nordbyvangen and Økrisetra. This is one of the rarely well-maintained mountain farms in Romeriksåsene. The scent of mountain farm life lingers in the walls, like the smell of resin on a winter evening. The trail now falls about one kilometer down to Losbyhytta before rising past Hokringlesetra again. At Jutulen, we have diverted the trail around the actual summit and down to an old Bronze Age cairn. See and be seen; the ancient Bronze Age kings wanted to be buried in places with a wide view, visible from a long distance away. In this way, they hoped to be remembered and respected for generations to come. The cairn on the east side of Jutulen is perhaps the largest in the area, over 20 meters in circumference. From the cairn, the trail steadily descends to Kringledalen, offering a new stage through the cultural landscape. For the brave, we recommend staying overnight in the forest edge – or contact Kringler Gjestegård!
Kringlerdalen-Nordmokorset Estimated time 3 hours The Rondanestien now follows the road north towards Maura. There is a good bus connection further if you want to start or end here. There are also shops here for provisioning. The Rondanestien is marked through the center and further eastward, but you can also take a slightly more pleasant, smaller road eastward just south of the center, via Jælberg, and come up at Kopperudmoen. Then towards Nordmokorset. Now you enter the former military training areas Trandum and Sessvollmoen, with both trenches and tank tracks. The area is characterized by air traffic from Gardermoen, but it's great to take a break at the idyllic Sørmotjernet before continuing and crossing Dalslinna about 400 m east of Nordmokorset.
NOTE: Due to a lot of walking on the road through Nannestad and Eidsvoll, it is advisable to watch out for footwear.
Nordmokorset – Eidsvoll Church
fter walking the Rondanestien through Nannestad municipality, the trail enters Eidsvoll municipality.
After Nordmokorset, the trail goes into Bergermoen on Flatnervegen, then towards E6 which is crossed on a bridge. On the other side, through the settlement at Eidsvoll verk and onto the old Tronheimsvegen to Carsten Ankers veg and to Eidsvollsbygningen. If you want to stay overnight, Best Western Leto Arena is a good option a short distance from Eidsvoll Verk.
From Eidsvollsbygningen to Lysjøen at the Stange border, the Rondanestien and the Pilegrimsleden mostly follow the same route. If you are unsure about the markings, you can also follow the Pilegrimsleden. The Rondanestien now merges with the Pilegrimsleden and the Industrial Historical Trail, heading eastward and following the Andelva to Vengerfossen. Here, you continue up Myravegen. The Pilegrimsleden crosses Nygårdsvegen here and goes down the avenue to the middle Vengergården, where the trail goes left behind the barn and crosses the field and down to a bridge crossing the river Nessa. After the bridge, we continue up the hill and arrive at Dønnumskia. At the request of the landowner, we have had to change the signage for the Rondanestien so that it follows the road towards Dønnumskia, where it meets the Pilegrimsleden again.
After a long stretch of asphalt, you arrive at the Vegamot junction. Here, the Rondanestien goes right towards Eidsvoll center. We now follow Rv. 181 for about 400 meters and turn right from the main road, past Eidsvoll church, down Badebakken (hollow road). Here you will find Wergelandshaugen and Eidsivatinget.
If you continue down the hollow road, go under Rv. 181, and turn right. Here, after a short while, you take off from the footpath by the main road and to the left past Eidsvoll old station and the kneeling soldier (statue), over Sundbrua (Vorma) to Eidsvoll center.
From Eidsvoll center, you go up Sundgata to Vilberg school-Shell station on the right side, where you turn left up Tynsåkvegen. Follow this until you reach RV 177. If you want to stay overnight at Haug Pilgrimsrast, turn left here, about 200 meters. From the RV 177 junction, you follow straight across the junction, up Finnbråtavegen to the top. Then follow Gamle Gullverksveien down past what is now a BMX track and football field, but used to be a ski jump, Finnkollen. Past the cabin there and left onto the path. You come down to the forest road which you follow further into Hestdalen. This is a nice valley, and along the way, you come down to the water Fløyta. Here you can stop for a swim, and you can pitch your tent if you want. Further through Hestdalen, you eventually come down towards the village. The trail suddenly turns to the right and back into the forest. Continue north on the path and road between farms and houses, to Bodinsmia by Holt. Continue past Holtdammen, take off on a forest road to the left and along Holtåa to Nord-Fløyta (swimming area), further to the road that goes to Gullverket. The trail continues on the gravel road to the right a bit before turning left towards Dorrsvangen. Further past Lysjøhimet to Lysjøen.
Just before Eidsvoll center, the rectory is located up by the church. They accept pilgrims for overnight stays here. Contact the church office in Eidsvoll to reserve a spot.
Above Eidsvoll center is the newly opened Haug Pilgrimsrast. Here, there are good opportunities to stay overnight in tents or in the furnished greenhouse, with beds and romantic surroundings. (see link)
At Minnesund, there are also options: Storenga camping is located on the east side of Vorma. You can walk there if you take a detour when you reach Holt.
At Nord-Fløyta, there is a private pilgrim hostel, Kveldsro. An idyllic place by the water. This is a suitable distance from Eidsvoll center / Haug Pilgrimsrast for a day's journey. See link
If you want to go further, you can continue to Sannfredstun Pilgrim Hostel up at Spetalen.
For more information on previous and later stages and other good tips and maps, see here.
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!