Bucket list Trøndelag
Hospitality, world heritage and the joy of nature sum up what you can to encounter in Trøndelag, but what should you choose to see and how can you find the right experiences?
Well, you may never do that! However, if you ask the locals what is worth seeing when you are here, the majority will respond:
Røros! Go to Røros!
Travel back in time
The town and the municipality are situated in the far south of the county. You can get here by train and bus. You can also hike here, ride your bike or hike along mountain paths. What can you experience here?
The history of Røros dates to 1644 when copper ore was found in the Røros mountains. The mining town has been evolving ever since. Today, Røros is on the UNESCO World Heritage List owing to its mining activities, and the whole community was associated with this. The townscape of wooden houses, which is the oldest in Europe, remains intact and forms a picturesque setting around the long streets. The current residents live and work here. The impressive Røros Church – Bergstaden Ziir, with its unique architecture and many details, towers over the town from the top of the historic street Kjerkgata. From here, you can step straight into nature if you wish. Follow a path or a ski trail for a while, find your inner peace and listen to the tranquillity of nature.
You are unlikely to starve as you wander around Røros, which has been named as the “local food capital” of Norway. There is one unique taste experience after another here. One local tip is a visit to the mountain farm Ljøsnavollen. You need to bike or walk to get here. They make traditional food such as cured meats, sour cream porridge, “skjørost” (dry curd) and sour cream. Order before you arrive!
Trondheim
If you are travelling through Trøndelag, there is no avoiding Trondheim – the county’s largest city. The Nidelva river flows through its compact and fascinating city centre, which stretches towards the fjord. The city’s pride is undoubtedly the Nidaros Cathedral. This majestic building is closely linked to St. Olav, who died attempting to convert Norwayvto Christianity. He was buried here. This Gothic cathedral is a work of art that deserves a visit, from the exterior West Front with many sculptures that create curiosity to the equally magnificent interior with chapels, arches and stained-glass windows. The impressive Rose Window is one of many highlights that visitors must experience.
From the Nidaros Cathedral, it’s just a short walk across the iconic Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro) to Trondheim’s most idyllic district, Bakklandet. Small, brightly coloured wooden houses stand closely together in the narrow streets. They house cafés, restaurants, pubs and small niche shops. People also live here, contributing to the hustle and bustle in the cobbled streets around the clock. Fun fact: In the 1970s, powerful voices wanted to build a motorway through this residential area. Fortunately, this was met by opposition and the plan was reversed.
Finding good food and drink to suit all budgets is not hard in Trondheim. Many menus showcase local Trøndelag ingredients. In recent years, the city has also received three Michelin stars. Trondheim has a rich and creative culinary environment of a high standard. The restaurants Credo, Fagn and Speilsalen (at the Britannia Hotel) have all earned a Michelin star – and all use ingredients from Trøndelag.
Trøndelag has world-class ingredients and consequently produces world-class food products. While there are many places to experience local food, the biggest party and celebration of local food takes place each August when the Trøndelag Food Festival fills the entire county. Trondheim is packed with producers, stalls and flavours. Fill your lunch basket and head out to explore or taste your way through Trøndelag in one day. It’s hard to imagine that anyone has experienced a greater enjoyment of food before. Remember to leave some space for drinks because the tradition of brewing beer has exploded in Trøndelag.
The Viking King
If you continue along the E6 highway in search of important events and places in Norwegian history, then you should stop at Stiklestad in Verdal. This is where the Christian Viking King Olav was killed during the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030, an event that is widely believed as marking the start of the introduction of Christianity in Norway. The Stiklestad National Cultural Centre, which is responsible for disseminating the heritage of St. Olav, arranges the annual “Saint Olav Festival” (Olsokdagene). This event, timed to coincide with the anniversary of St. Olav, includes seminars, exhibitions, concerts and a large-scale outdoor theatrical performance “The Saint Olav Drama” (Spelet om Heilag Olav). The 1,000th anniversary is in 2030!
Safari
You are no doubt wondering about the nature. Afterall, Norway is nature and so is Trøndelag. It’s a short way from the fjord to the mountains. In some places, you can paddle in the fjord and hike up a mountain on the same day – or have a close-up experience with wild animals! If you choose the latter, we recommend going with a professional guide.
Searching for the musk ox is not something you should do on your own! One of the few places on earth you can experience these prehistoric animals is the Dovrefjell mountains in Norway. They may look peaceful, but an adult musk ox can weigh up to 450 kg and run 60 km/h – and you can’t. As their fur blends in with the colours of nature before the snow comes, muskoxen can be hard to spot. We recommend going on a safari with an experienced guide who knows where they are and what to do.
In a completely different part of Trøndelag, far from the mountains, you can experience eagles in full flight. An eagle safari on the coast is an exciting and fun experience. Eagles are powerful birds and, with a wingspan of almost 3 metres, are an impressive sight when they circle in search of a prey. You will often hear screaming crows and seagulls not far behind, eager to keep the eagle away from their nests and food.
A journey inside the Earth’s crust
If you travel to the far north of our county, you will discover the island of Leka. The entire island is designated as Norway’s national geological monument, owing to the red serpentine mountains and unique geology that began more than 500 million years ago. Geologists travel here from all over the world to study the unique conditions. Leka is also popular among hikers, bikers and kayakers, while ancient cave paintings and burial mounds are among the island’s other attractions. The inhabitants of Leka also have a close relationship with eagles. The eagle robbery is a true story about a young girl who was snatched by an eagle and flown up to a high ledge on the mountainside. You will hear the rest of the story when you visit Leka. If you visit in autumn or winter, the chances are high that you will see the Northern Lights.
In conclusion, we would like to list silence as an experience! Trøndelag is blessed with an abundance of nature and several national parks. It’s only a short distance from noisy towns and cities to places where nature takes over and you can experience the silence – or at least the absence of sounds from human activity. Experiencing this silence, peace and tranquillity is an essential part of a journey in Trøndelag.