Skaun: Nature, Pilgrim Routes and Cultural History

Skaun can be explored from several perspectives: along lakeshores and in an important bird area, on pilgrim routes and at buildings from different periods. The outdoor areas also differ in character and in the activities they offer.

Lakes, Outdoor Areas and Birdlife

The Grønneset outdoor area lies on Lake Ånøya; forests and meadows shape its varied natural landscape. Activities here include swimming, walking, fishing, ball games, playing and barbecuing. Saltnesstranda offers a different setting: this outdoor area is open year-round, lies in the centre of Buvika and has a gravel path, benches and lawns. A nature-rich lakeshore and a facility with paths and places to sit are thus two distinct destinations for spending time outdoors.

Buvikfjæra is a relatively undisturbed delta and foreshore area with a high density of birds. It is important for overwintering birds and serves as a resting place during spring and autumn migration. For anyone interested in birdwatching, the area has a distinctive seasonal appeal: its importance spans both the winter and the spring and autumn migration periods. Ølsholmskjæret is also suitable for outdoor activities, including fishing, swimming, hiking, boating and camping.

Fishing, Hiking and Winter Trails

There are 46 fishing lakes in Skaun. Fishing at Laugen is usually done from a boat; ice fishing is possible there from around Christmas and continues as long as there is ice in the spring. This timing therefore depends directly on ice conditions. For hiking, the municipal guide “På tur i Skaun” contains 41 suggestions. It offers a wide selection of described hiking ideas, while the fishing lakes and seasonal opportunity at Laugen reveal other sides of spending time outdoors.

At 537 metres above sea level, Ølshøgda is the highest point in Skaun. The area is considered snow-reliable and may be among the first places in Trøndelag to offer groomed ski trails at the start of the winter season.

Pilgrim Route and Wayfinding

The pilgrim route through Skaun is 26 kilometres long. Along the Gudbrandsdalsleden, wooden posts, enamel signs and pilgrim symbols mark the way. The route reaches the centre of Buvika and runs there along a shared pedestrian and cycle path. This distinguishes the specific route through Buvika from the overall length of the pilgrim route.

The Skaun rectory offers simple dormitory accommodation approved for pilgrims on the Gudbrandsdalsleden and is located near Skaun Church.

Churches, Monuments and Cultural History

Skaun Church at Venn is a medieval stone church dating from around 1180. In Buvika, Buvik Church displays a different architectural feature: it has an octagonal floor plan, and the pulpit is above the altar. Old church ruins have been preserved at Husaby, including the outline of a manor church built around 1040. A memorial stone to Einar Tambarskjelve also stands there.

Four standing stones at Naustan are used as a symbol in Skaun municipality’s coat of arms. The memorial stone in Viggja commemorates the Battle of Vigg in 1095 and was erected on 17 May 1896. The two sites represent different forms of remembrance: the use of a stone symbol in the municipal coat of arms and a monument with a specific historical connection.

Piene Mølle in Buvika is part of the history of technology. The mill was completed in 1878 and was Norway’s first roller mill; it is considered an important piece of technological history. It is also a landmark on the coast and along the shipping route towards the Orkdalsfjord and Gaulosen. The history of milling technology is thus linked to the maritime setting.

Museums and an Annual Cultural Event

The Skreddarhaugen Museum displays around 800 objects, including items related to shoemaking. An exhibition on local history focuses on the Middle Ages. If you would like to visit the Skreddarhaugen Museum on a Sunday during the summer season, plan for 12 noon to 4 p.m. and check the opening times before your visit. The Råbygda School Museum preserves a school building erected in 1878 at its original location. Its preserved contents include a classroom, a teacher’s residence and an outbuilding. Visitors are welcomed by appointment.

Every year, Skaun hosts the cultural event Kristin på Husaby. The programme includes, among other things, theatre performances, a literature seminar, a march, exhibitions, church concerts and an ecumenical service. Together with the historic sites and museums, the event offers another way to experience Skaun’s cultural life.

Discover more destinations: Skaun, Viggja, Børsa, Buvika, Trondheim, Selbu, Rennebu, Melhus.

For the broader travel overview: Sor-Trondelag.