Hedalen: Stave Church, Cultural Trail and Cross-Country Skiing

Hedalen is in the municipality of Sør-Aurdal and combines medieval church art, cultural heritage trails and cross-country skiing. Hedalen Stave Church and Bautahaugen Collections form the two endpoints of the 5.5-kilometre Hedalen Nature and Cultural Trail. Shorter circular routes, historic buildings and a network of more than 120 kilometres of groomed trails add to the picture. This lets you explore the area according to different interests: culture and history are just as central as outdoor activities and winter sports.

Hedalen Stave Church and its medieval art

Hedalen Stave Church is considered the oldest stave church in Valdres and probably dates from 1163. It is built in the form of a cruciform church; originally, it was constructed as a single-nave stave church, or long church. The difference between its original long-church form and its cruciform form offers a distinct way to explore its architectural history. Medieval works of art are another highlight: the church contains one of Norway’s few surviving medieval reliquaries. The reliquary dates from the 13th century; its reliefs depict the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Hedals Madonna, a figure of the Virgin Mary from the mid-13th century, is also in Hedalen Stave Church. The church’s architecture, reliquary and Madonna offer different ways to explore the site and its sacred art.

Cultural trail between the church and Bautahaugen Collections

The Hedalen Nature and Cultural Trail is 5.5 kilometres long and runs between Hedalen Stave Church and Bautahaugen Collections. Signs along the trail provide information about cultural heritage sites. In places, it follows Hedalen’s first cart road, dating from around 1840. The route and its cultural heritage information are thus connected: the trail links its two endpoints while following a historic route. Several branches leading to the main road make shorter circular walks possible. The cultural trail is well signposted, and there is ample parking at both endpoints. If you plan to walk the entire route, use the church and Bautahaugen Collections as your endpoints; the branches offer shorter alternatives.

To reach the Hedalen Nature and Cultural Trail, take the Fv 225 from the E16 at Tollefsrud towards Hedalen, then continue on the Fv 243.

Buildings and collections at Bautahaugen

Bautahaugen Collections is a museum affiliated with Valdresmusea. The site has 15 buildings and 2,500 individual objects. Its features include a farm, a summer mountain farm, a crofter’s holding with a general store, and a school exhibition. The museum mainly presents cultural heritage from Hedalen, Vassfaret, Vidalen and the mountain region. This broad range complements the stave church’s more focused emphasis on sacred architecture and art. The two cultural attractions therefore offer different experiences: a church with medieval furnishings on the one hand, and several historic buildings and a regionally focused collection on the other.

Cross-country skiing and cultural events

Hedalen’s trail network includes more than 120 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails. They pass through high-mountain terrain with good views in every direction, across large areas of bog and through sheltered woodland. Wide-open views are thus complemented by stretches through bog and forest. When planning your winter stay, both the size of the trail network and the landscapes described can help guide you.

The Hedalen Cultural Festival uses local cultural venues and offers culture and entertainment for the whole family. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Bagn, Reinli.

Back to the main travel overview: Sør-Aurdal.