Pilgrim's Route

Harald Hårfagres saga describes an expedition he led up the Gudbrandsdal, and north over Dovrefjell on his way to success at the battle of Orkadal.

King Harald went far and wide through Gautland, and many were the battles he fought there on both sides of the river, and in general he was victorious.

In one of these battles fell Hrane Gauzke; and then the king took his whole land north of the river and west of the Veneren, and also Vermaland.

And after he turned back there-from, he set Duke Guthorm as chief to defend the country, and left a great force with him.

King Harald himself went first to the Uplands, where he remained a while, and then proceeded northwards over the Dovrefjeld to Throndhjem, where he dwelt for a long time.

[6]The Norwegian railway line Rørosbanen was opened on 13 October 1877, connecting Hamar and Trondheim via the towns of Elverum and Røros.

At this point, the difficult route up through the Dovrefjell mountains lost most of its appeal, compared with the relative ease of taking a train to Trondheim.

Starting at Dombås in Dovre municipality, it passes over the mountainous stretches of the Dovrefjell, before merging with the Rørosbanen again at Støren.