The Fjord Pilgrim route from Kristiansund to Trondheim

About

The Fjord Pilgrim route, or “Kystpilegrimsleia” is the Norwegian tongue twisting name for the most exciting tourism development project in Norway in recent years. Based on cultural heritage and coastal culture along the 2000-kilometer-long coastline it sets the stage for a modern fairytale. The route starts in the south of Fjord Norway and leads the way to Trondheim, following in the footsteps and paddle strokes of pilgrims on their journey to the shrines of St. Sunniva in Selje and St. Olav in Trondheim many centuries ago.  

The Fjord Pilgrim route takes you along the most varied and dramatic landscapes of Norway where people have made their home for millennia. From the flat and wind-ravaged south you get to experience how the landscape change with rising steep cliffs, deep fjords, rich archipelagos and spectacular, breathtaking color-play. The travel planner en-tur.no helps you plan your journey. 

From Kristiansund to Trondheim, the final part of the Fjord Pilgrim route is an island-hopping adventure. The archipelago where you will travel mainly by express boat consists of thousands of big and small islands and skerries, with thriving port towns and villages next to untouched nature. 

Kristiansund – Smøla – Hitra, 2 h (express boat) 
From the quay in Kristiansund the express boat connects the island communities and towns with Trondheim, and your first stop is Edøya at Smøla. Otters and sea eagles thrive in their natural habitat with abundant schools of cod, and you will get a chance to spot them on a kayaking or fishing trip, or a RIB photo safari. A local bus ride takes you to the old fishing village Veiholmen, where you can stay in the old post office turned into a charming guest house, a fisherman´s cabin or even a lighthouse. If you prefer to continue the same day, take the express boat a few more stops from Edøya to Sandstad on Hitra island. 

Hitra – Trondheim, 1,5h (express boat) 
Hitra is the seventh largest island in Norway, and the varied landscape attracts nature lovers, hikers, and anyone who wants to soak in the coastal culture and enjoy freshly caught cod, salmon and crab. The island is speckled with lakes abundant with trout, ask the locals for the best spots when you rent a fishing rod. Explore Hitra and the neighboring island Frøya by boat and local bus and stay in one of the guest harbors before embarking on the final journey by express boat to Trondheim. 

The city in the heart of Norway has a lot to explore, and your first stop should be the official destination of the pilgrimage journeys, the Nidarosdomen cathedral. Legends has it that the Norwegian king St. Olaf is buried here, and a guided tour of the cathedral is well worth your time. If you have followed the Fjord Pilgrimage route and collected enough stamps in your pilgrimage passport, you will receive the official St. Olaf documentation as proof at Nasjonalt Pilegrimssenter. After Nidarosdomen, next on the list are the colorful wharf houses at Bakklandet and the view from Kristiansten Fortress. You can also join off-the-beaten-path brewery or gourmet tours. 

First leg: The Fjord Pilgrim route from Stavanger to Bergen.
Second leg: The Fjord Pilgrim route from Bergen to Kristiansund.