Tretten: Hiking, Pilgrim Trail and History

When planning a trip to Tretten, you can first consider whether hiking trails, pilgrim history or cultural sites should be the main focus. The routes range from a promenade of about half an hour to longer hikes; there are also historical sites and recurring events. These differences give you a practical basis for tailoring your trip plans and hotel search to your interests.

Hiking Trails and Landscapes in Tretten

The Måsåbergan hike starts in Musdal in Tretten and passes through spruce and pine forest, over low-lying rocky outcrops, to Høgberget. Along the way, there are views of Losna, Stav and the centre of Tretten. The route combines forest sections and rocky terrain with several named viewpoints.

For a comparison by distance and approximate duration, consider the Tuterudrunden and the Øvre Stavsrunden: both start at the Tuterudvegen/Stavsvegen intersection in Tretten. The Tuterudrunden is about 4.4 kilometres long and takes approximately one hour; a detour leads to the Langberga viewpoint, with views over Tretten and the western side of the Lågen. In the final section, you can see the Fossumsfallene waterfalls in the Moksa River. At about 2.6 kilometres and approximately 45 minutes, the Øvre Stavsrunden is shorter. When planning, you can therefore take into account both the stated duration and the destinations along each route.

A shorter option is Vassrudmoen, a hiking route through mostly flat terrain in pine forest. The Stavspromenaden takes a different course: it starts at Stavsgutua, loops around Stavsplassen, and is about 1.3 kilometres long, taking approximately 30 minutes to complete. The route follows the Moksa River through flat terrain and ends at the Gjestar horse statue. Its length, riverside setting and endpoint give this promenade a different character from the longer hikes.

The Pilgrim Trail and Cultural History

The Pilegrimsleden pilgrim trail runs through Tretten and continues on to Ringebu. Kjørkjehaugen, an old church site dating from the 13th century, lies along the trail and is now used as an outdoor church. The well-preserved remains are mentioned in a medieval document from 1437; in 1728, the church at Kjørkjehaugen was replaced by a new church in Tretten. Visitors interested in local history will find a historic site right along the pilgrim trail.

Another site is Tretten kirke. It was consecrated on 12 September 1728 and given the name “Vår Frelsers Kirke”. A foundation stone of the church bears the inscription “Det er Betel i Den Herres Jesu Nafn Jens Skanke 1727 d 27 May”. The date in the inscription and the consecration date refer to different historical details about the church.

“Gamle Tretten” is a cultural heritage walk through 300 years of history, along easy-to-walk paths in the centre of Tretten. The walk complements the pilgrim route and church sites with a distinct perspective on local history. The routes and sites have different focuses: some foreground landscapes and views, while others highlight historical remains, the church or a walk through the centre.

Stavsplassen and Events

The history of Stavsplassen dates back to the 19th century; originally, the Stav gard farm was located there. Today, Stavsplassen hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year. When planning, it may therefore be important to consider both your travel dates and whether you want to include a historic site or an event in your trip.

Stavsmartn is the largest annual event at Stavsplassen and takes place every October. Attendance and the programme may vary. If Stavsmartn is important to your travel plans, check the specific dates and programme. This distinguishes October as the recurring event period from the details of any particular edition.

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