Photo: The old city bridge in Trondheim |
Photo: The old city bridge in Trondheim |
HIGHLIGHTS | DOVREFJELL | RØROS | TRONDHEIMThe mountains in the south are popular places for skiing and hiking. The Trondheimsfjord with its various arms is bordered by pasture land through which some of the best salmon rivers in the country wind their way. But, above all, Trøndelag is an eldorado for anyone interested in history.
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A journey back in time to the heyday of copper mining |
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Small island facing Trondheim with a ‘captivating’ past |
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Cathedral and Norway’s coronation church |
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Lovely building in Trondheim housing the Music Museum |
Road Atlas [134–135 C–D 5–6] | Google Map
The E6 makes its way through the mountain range where 2500 wild reindeer and 130 musk oxen roam. Botanists are attracted by the richness of the plant life that can be found here and geologist are fascinated by the moraines and other deposits that were formed during the last Ice Age. The most important town in the region, Oppdal, is popular with families with children.
The Kongsvold Fjeldstue (www.kongsvold.no) hotel has a long history as a mountain guesthouse and is, at the same time, also a station for botanic and zoological research. The snow-capped, 2286 m (7500 ft)-high peak of 
Snøhetta is the goal of a seven-hour hike through the realm of the musk oxen. It is even better if you take part in a Musk Oxen Safari (from Kongsvold Fjeldstue or the Dombås Tourist Office | duration: around 5 hours | price 300 NOK | www.moskus-safari.no). Kongsvoll is 43 km (33 mi) north of Dombås on the E6
A rustic hotel that also offers many leisure activities on the treeline at an altitude of 1000 m (3300 ft). 38 rooms | tel. 61 21 51 00 | www.hjerkinn.no | Moderate–Expensive
Oppdal Turistkontor | O. Skarsliens vei 15 | tel. 72 40 04 70 | www.oppdal.com
Road Atlas [135 D5] | Google Map
Time seems to have come to a standstill in the former copper-mining community (pop. 3600) near the Swedish border.The church – the only stone building as far as the eye can see – towers above the rows of around 50 listed houses on the two main streets. Røros is a winter-holiday resort: the temperature can sink to minus 30°C (–22°F) but, in this dry inland climate, a sleigh ride is still a great experience.
This copper mine is located around 13 km (8 mi) east of Røros on Road 31 towards the Swedish border. Tours 20 June–15 Aug daily 10.30am, noon, 2, 3.30 and 5pm, June–Sept Mon–Sat 1 and 3pm, Sun noon | entrance fee 90 NOK | www.rorosmuseet.no
| RØROSMUSEET |
An excellent museum that uses models to give you an idea of how a mine functions. It is on the outskirts of town next to the gigantic slag heaps. 20 June–15 Aug daily 10am–6pm, at other times Mon–Fri 11am–4pm, Sat/Sun 11am–3pm | entrance fee 70 NOK | www.rorosmuseet.no
Traditional meat dishes served in an exceptional atmosphere compensates for high prices. Kjerkgata 34 | tel. 72 41 93 50 | www.vertshusetroros.no | Expensive
Rustic mountain guesthouse at an altitude of 750 m (2500 ft) with alpine pastures and a magnificent hiking area that is also perfect for mountain bikers. 8 rooms | Gardsjordet | Vingelen | tel. 62 49 48 20 | www.vingelsgaard.no | Moderate
Røros Turistkontor | Peder Hiortsgata 2 | tel. 72 41 00 00 | www.roros.no
WHERE TO START?
Nidarosdomen: The cathedral is both your first destination and starting point. You can reach it by car via the E6. Coming from the south, turn off into the Lade suburb and park at the City Syd Shopping Centre from where there is a regular bus service to the centre. From the north, follow signs to the centre and drive to the Leuthenhaven multi-storey car park (Erling Skakkes gate 40, closed Sun).
Road Atlas [135 D4] | Google Map
The Nidarosdomen is Norway’s only cathedral and the most important sight in a city that is best know today for its University of Technology and internationally-renowned research institutions – this makes it not at all surprising that WiFi is available free of charge in the city centre (www.tradlosetrondheim.no).
The archbishop’s palace was the political and spiritual centre from the middle of the 12th century but, after the Reformation, became the residence of the North Norwegian feudal lords and later a military depot. Archaeological finds, religious sculptures and weapons are on display here. May–14 Sept Mon–Fri 10am–3pm (in summer, 5pm), Sat 10am–3pm, Sun noon–4pm, shorter opening hours at other times | entrance fee 50 NOK or 100 NOK including Nidarosdomen and the crown jewels
This bridge was built in 1861 and leads from the city centre to the Bakklandet district with its narrow streets and pretty wooden houses. The Trondheimers lovingly call the red superstructure the ‘Door to Happiness’.
MUNKHOLMEN A small island in the fjord facing the city with very well preserved monastic ruins. This is where chiefs were beheaded in Viking days; from 1658, the monastery, which was erected at the beginning of the 11th century, was used as a fortress and prison. There are delightful views of the city and fjord from bathing places on the island. Ferry, in summer daily, every hour 10am–6pm (return fare 55 NOK) from Ravnkloa dock by the fish hall
NIDAROSDOMENThe original cathedral was founded around 1070 but frequent fires destroyed large sections of this national monument. In 1869, the increase in national self-awareness led to its comprehensive renovation that was not completed until 100 years later. The return of the crown jewels in 1988 confirmed the position of the cathedral as the coronation church. The tower is a perfect vantage point. May–14 Sept Mon–Fri 9am–3pm (mid-June–beginning of Aug 9am–5.30pm), Sat 9am–2pm, Sun 1–4pm | entrance fee 50 NOK | www.nidarosdomen.no
RINGVE MUSEUMRingve Gård manor house from the 18th century lies in a magnificent park on the eastern outskirts of the city and is now the site of a music museum. It is even possible to play some of the instruments in the collection exhibited in a renovated barn. Mid-April–end of June and end of Aug–mid-Sept daily 11am–4pm, end of June–end of Aug 11am–5pm | entrance fee 80 NOK | Lade suburb | www.ringve.no
Stiftsgården (Monastery Garden)
The 58 m (190 ft) long city court was completed in 1778 and the rooms and furnishings are characteristic of the Rococo period. When walking through the halls, visitors have the feeling that they are promenading through a wooden palace. June–20 Aug Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm (tours every hour) | entrance fee 60 NOK | Munkegata 23
A perfect view of Trondheim and its surroundings from a height of 120 m (394 ft). The tower restaurant Egon (Moderate), 80 m (262 ft) above the ground, serves pizzas and good luncheon dishes. Otto Nielsens vei 4
The Museum of Science shows archeological finds from the Stone Age to the Viking period. Rewarding exhibitions on medieval Trondheim and religious art to around 1700. Tue–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat/Sun 11am–4pm | entrance fee 30 NOK | Erling Skakkes gate 47 | www.ntnu.no/vitenskapsmuseet
Bistro with grilled foods and delicious snacks. Kjøpmannsgata 57 | tel. 73 51 57 50 | Moderate
This cosy pub is in the cellar beneath the exclusive Bryggen restaurant next to the city bridge. Øvre Bakklandet 66 | tel. 40 61 88 09 | www.dengodenabo.com | Budget
There are rows of art galleries, cafés, antique and designer shops in the Bakklandet quarter. Husfliden (www.norskfliden.no/trondheim) has a branch at Tryggvasons gate 18.
Trondheim is more of a students’ town than a metropolis. Being too stylish is completely out of place, beer – not champagne – is the order of the day. If you want to dance to loud music (often live) Brukbar (Munkegata 26) in the city centre is the place to go.
This elegantly decorated hotel, with cheerful, comfortable rooms is located away from traffic but is still in the centre. 109 rooms | Brattørgata 2 | tel. 73 99 10 00 | www.choicehotels.no | Expensive
Its position next to the cathedral means that this modern centrally located hotel is comparatively quiet. The hotel also serves organic alternatives at breakfast. 210 rooms | Prinsensgate 4A | tel. 73 83 39 00 | www.choicehotels.no | Moderate
The largest wooden residential building in all Scandinavia is actually a students’ hostel in a green area close to the centre. There are rooms with one to four beds, some of them with a private shower. Mid-June–mid-Aug | 104 rooms | Rogertsgate 1 | tel. 73 89 31 00 | sommerhotell.singsaker.no | Budget
Turistinformasjon | Torvet | tel. 73 80 76 60 | www.trondheim.com
Road Atlas [135 D4] | Google Map
This fortress near the Swedish border was constructed in 1905 when Norway dissolved its union with Sweden. The complex with its weapons has been entirely preserved and is located in a lovely woody area which is also a delightful place to go for a walk. June–Aug Mon–Sat 11am–4pm, Sun 11am–5pm, shorter opening hours at other times | entrance fee 80 NOK | www.hegrafestning.no | around 50 km (31 mi) east of Trondheim | turn off the E6 to the E14 near Stjørdal, follow signs from Hegra
There is free entrance to many events at the Olavfesttagen (end of July/early August) in Trondheim.
Hikers through the hills of North Trøndelag will find cosy accommodation at Føllingstua Camping Site 14 km (8½mi) north of Steinkjer. 4 people, 490 NOK a night | tel. 74 14 71 90 | www.follingstua.no
Entrance is free to the Norwegian Museum of Justice, the Resistance Museum and the Armament Museum in Trondheim, as well as the Botanical Gardens in Ringve and Tyholt Tower.