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What is accommodation like on Gudbrandsdalsleden?
The accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden is excellent. This was one of our favorite things about walking from Oslo to Trondheim. The hosts tend to be very friendly and accommodating, able to help with whatever you need. But, in many places you will be expected to “self-serve”, that is to check yourself in and locate everything you need in the accommodation. This was one of the quirks of the Norwegian Camino that we noticed and enjoyed.
Accommodation can be basic, but we also stayed in some very comfortable places too. The type of accommodation really ranges. But the common thread that we found in the majority of places, was friendly hosts and a cosy spot to rest our heads for the night.
The accommodation on the walk from Oslo to Trondheim does differ from the typical “albergue” you would find on the Camino de Santiago. The Norweigian pilgrimage is a very different experience and you should not expect hostels to look or feel the same as the Camino. That said, the accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden has it’s own charm.
What facilities does the accommodation have on Gudbrandsdalsleden from Oslo to Trondheim?
The facilities in accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden really do vary.
When it comes to bathrooms, many of the home stays and farm stays have full bathrooms with indoor showers and flushing toilets. However, others have a more basic affair. You will grow accustomed to the non-flushing toilet when you walk from Oslo to Trondheim. These are essentially a make-shift toilet, with a seat, but no flush mechanism. Instead, expect to throw saw dust or woodchip down the toilet once you’ve been. You will also find outdoor showers in some of the cabins and other home stays.
In terms of cooking facilities, this will also vary. Many of the campsites we stayed in had well equipped kitchens. As did some of the farm stays and home stays. Some had a basic hob, meaning that you could boil up water and make a basic soup or pasta dish on the stove. A few home stays, farm stays and camp sites also have cafes or restaurants, or will be able to offer you a wonderful home cooked meal. Just check in advance if this is possible.
Are there laundry facilities on Gudbrandsdalsleden?
We found laundry facilities, washing machines and driers at many camp sites on the Gudbrandsdalsleden route from Oslo to Trondheim. You normally have to pay to access these facilities and often you will need coins. A few hostels also have laundry, but ask in advance to check if you need to use them.
You can also hand wash your clothing on the route. You’ll find places to dry laundry at hostels and camp sites. Don’t forget to pack some detergent or multi-purpose soap to wash your clothing.
Find out more about what to pack on our packing list.
Is there WiFi in accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden?
In general no. We stayed at one or two campsites that had WiFi and perhaps one hostel. But, generally do not expect to have access to WiFi in your accommodation on the walk from Oslo to Trondheim.
Instead, you must rely on your mobile phone. We recommend getting access to a local SIM card. We used Airalo E-Sims in Norway to walk from Oslo to Trondheim. The service was reliable and the SIM was quick to set up. We paid $32 for a 30 day SIM with 20GB of data, which was sufficient for the trip.
The bonus of an E-Sim is that you don’t have to find a shop in Oslo and can install the SIM with minimal fuss.
Is there electricity in the accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden?
Yes. In all accommodation on the walk from Oslo to Trondheim you will find electricity. At campsites, we frequently found power points to connect our phones for short periods. In hostels, home stays and farm stays we also had access to electricity. Some of the overnight shelters had power points too.
We highly recommend packing a power bank for your walk from Oslo to Trondheim so that you can keep your mobile phone charged up on the go. We used this lightweight INIU power bank for our trip.
What types of accommodation are there on St Olav’s Way?
In addition to hotels and hostels, which can be found in Trondheim and Oslo and at a few points on the route, there are six different types of accommodation available on the route. We describe each of these below.
| Type of accommodation | Description |
| Home Stays/ Farm Stays | There are many farms and Norwegian homes that are opened up to pilgrims to stay in the summer. Hosts are friendly and welcoming and facilities range from basic to a bit more luxurious. Farm and home stays are wonderful places to stay on the route. |
| Pilgrim Hostels | There are a few “pilgrim hostels” on the route. This includes the accommodation at pilgrim centres and a few buildings that have opened up to pilgrims in the summer. Facilities here tend to be basic, with shared bedrooms and single beds. |
| Cabins | Cabins are available all along the route and are popular places to stay. They are used by pilgrims as well as holiday makers traveling in Norway. Expect basic facilities, some with bathrooms or cooking facilities. Cabins are often on campsites. |
| Camp Sites (with own tent) | There are many campsites in Norway making these great places to stay on the route. If you have your own tent you can book a pitch, or just turn up and request one. Most campsites have excellent facilities, including showers and cooking facilities. |
| Wild Camping | In Norway, wild camping is legal. There are plenty of spots available along the route. You can find more about camping in Norway here. |
| Overnight Refuge | On the route, there are some overnight shelters or refuges. These tend to be open cabins where you can stay overnight and sometimes charge your phone or access water. A true novelty of the Norwegian Camino |
How much does accommodation cost on the walk from Oslo to Trondheim?
One of the big concerns you might have when walking from Oslo to Trondheim is the cost of accommodation. We spent roughly 50% of our budget on accommodation, so it is an important factor to consider before you head off.
Here are the approximate costs of accommodation as of 2023. It’s worth keeping in mind that prices vary depending on location, for example we found that accommodation in the Dovrefjell section of the route is generally more expensive. You can expect to pay more in this area, as well as closer to the larger cities of Oslo, Lillehammer and Trondheim.
| Type of accommodation | Approximate Cost as of 2023 |
| Camp Site with own tent | 200NOK /$20 (per tent) |
| Cabins | 300 NOK to 950 NOK (depending on location and facilities)/$30 to $95 (per person) |
| Home Stay/ Farm Stay (private room) | 500 NOK to 1000 NOK (depending on location and facilities)/ $50 to $100 |
| Home Stay/ Farm Stay (shared bedroom) | 350 NOK to 900 NOK (depending on location and facilities)/ $35 to $90 (per person) |
| Hostel (shared bedroom) | 300 NOK to 700 NOK (depending on location)/ $30 to $70 (per person) |
| Refuge/ Overnight Shelter | Most are free, but expect to pay 250NOK/ $25 to stay in the Refuge in Ryphusan (which has great facilities) |
| Wild Camping | Free! |
Where are the best places to stay on gudbrandsdalsleden?
One of the great things about walking Gudbrandsdalsleden is that it is a flexible walking route. This means that pilgrims can choose to split up the daily stages in many different ways, as there’s a lot of different accommodation available. This means that everyone has their own favorites and it’s difficult to say which are the best. However, there are some more popular places to stay on the route and we also have our own favorites!
Most popular accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden
Sygard Grytting – medieval hostel
This farm building dates back to the 14th century and you can stay in a cosy attic, just for pilgrims for 450 NOK. Meals are also available for 495 NOK (three course dinner).
Dale-Gudbrand Pilgrim Center
This is one of the pilgrim centres on the Gudbrandsdalsleden route. It offers a few beds for accommodation overnight at a rate of 350 NOK per person. It is a popular place to stay and was fully booked for some of the nights when we walked. It has laundry facilities too, which may be one of the reasons it is popular!
Jørundgard Medieval Center
This is a very unique place to stay. A medieval centre that was once used as a movie set, now houses pilgrims on a self-service basis. Book in advance and remember to take your own food with you. Rates of 300 NOK per person.
Ryphusan
Ryphusan is a converted barn on the outskirts of Dovrefjell and is a popular overnight stop. It is a self-serve cabin, where you can cook and buy some basic food items as well as spending the night. The facilities are shared and basic, but it’s a wonderful place to stay. Reservations are not allowed, but there are 14 beds (including a tent for overflow.)
Sundet Farm
Sundet Farm tends to be the last night for most pilgrims before arriving in Trondheim. The owner offers a boat to collect you and help you cross the river, meaning that you don’t have to walk around it instead. It is well worth staying here if you can get a reservation as it makes your walk into Trondheim much more pleasant. You can stay with meals included for 1100 NOK ($110) or with a tent for 150 NOK.
Our favorite accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden
The pilgrim hostel Millom
The pilgrim hostel Millom is a new accommodation on Gudbrandsdalsleden this year. We loved this place as it’s run by a lovely couple who have opened up their home to pilgrims. You can camp with your own tent and use the facilities, or rent a private room, or a bed. The decoration in the bedrooms and the lounge is particularly special.
Brøttum Camping
We enjoyed Brøttum Camping as it was a super simple camp site, but with great shower facilities. We were the only tent at the camp site and it was very peaceful. The camp site is also close to a supermarket (around 300m.)
Kirketeigen Youth Center and Camping
This was one of our favorites as it;s a delightful and laid back campsite with cabins. The cooking facilities are excellent and showers are included in the camping price. Bonus that the campsite is also very close to a supermarket, making getting groceries and beers easier! Tent spots for 250 NOK. You aren’t likely to need to book ahead.
Fokstugu Mountain Lodge
Fokstugu is a stunning mountain lodge in Dovrefjell. Pilgrims have been staying in this lodging since the 1100s. Which makes a stay here very special. The lodge is decorated in traditional Norweigian style and has excellent facilities. Plus, it costs 500 NOK per per person, including in a private room for two. Book ahead.
Meslo Alberge
Meslo Alberge is a delightful farm stay on the walk from Oslo to Trondheim, after Dovrefjell. We paid 600 NOK for a home cooked dinner, breakfast and overnight accommodation. The lodge is a shared space for pilgrims, decorated wonderfully. A very cosy and comfortable place to stay with wonderful hosts. Book ahead.
Can you camp on the walk from Oslo to Trondheim?
Yes. Camping is a great option if you are walking from Oslo to Trondheim on St Olav’s Ways. We’ve written about camping in Norway here, so you can find out more.
On Gudbrandsdalsleden there are frequent campsites available along the route. We really enjoyed staying at these campsites, which provide an opportunity to cook, shower and charge mobile phones.
You can of course also wild camp on Gudbrandsdalsleden, but just keep in mind that you’ll need to plan where to shower, charge your mobile phones and stock up on food and water.
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How to walk the Norwegian Camino: Oslo to Trondheim on St Olav’s Way
Norway Travel Guide by World Citizen
Lonely Planet Norway
Rick Steves Scandinavia
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