Vang: Church History, Rune Stone and Cycling Routes

Vang can be explored through three clearly distinct themes: the site of Vang Church and its history, a gravel loop with elevation and scenic highlights, and a short cycling circuit for families with children. These differences can help you shape your stay around culture or cycling.

Church History and the Vang Stones

The site of Vang Church is centrally located in the settlement of Vang on the southern shore of Lake Vangsmjøsa. Before it was moved, Vang Stave Church stood directly in front of the entrance to Vang Church. A collection of wooden figures of the apostles and Jesus was returned to the church in 2012; according to tradition, the figures had been in the former stave church. The church site, its earlier history and the return of the figures thus represent different aspects of local history.

The Vang Stone is also located by Vang Church. Dating from the early 11th century, it bears a runic inscription and is decorated in the Ringerike style. The church site therefore brings together the history handed down about the former stave church and an archaeological monument with its own inscription and ornamentation. Those interested in history will find more than one perspective here: the wooden figures are part of the church's traditions, while the rune stone is distinguished by its inscription and style.

Two Cycling Routes with Different Highlights

The Vang Filefjellvegen Gravel Loop starts in the center of Vang, heads towards Grindaheim and returns via quiet forest and mountain-farm tracks. It reaches an elevation of 720 meters and offers panoramic views of Lake Vangsmjøsi and the peaks of Jotunheimen. The loop also passes the historic Kongevegen over Filefjell. Both the scenery and the route's history are therefore part of its description.

The Family Cycling Tour in Vang passes through a birch forest at the foot of Mount Grindane, above Grindaheim. It is a short circuit, rated easy, and suitable for families with children. The loop can be started or finished in Grindaheim. The two tour descriptions offer different points of comparison: suitability for families and a short circuit on the one hand, and panoramic views from higher elevations and a connection to the historic Kongevegen on the other.

When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these differences in mind rather than treating the two routes as similar offerings. The gravel loop is characterized by its route from the center of Vang, its elevation and its connection to the historic road. The Family Cycling Tour, by contrast, is defined by its short circuit, its location above Grindaheim and its stated suitability for families. This lets you choose a cycling outing based on the features that best suit your stay.

More Cultural and Scenic Highlights in the Wider Destination of Vang

The wider destination of Vang also offers examples of church history: Høre Stave Church dates from around 1179 and features rich medieval wood carvings of dragons and lions. Øye Stave Church was probably built in the 12th century. It has copies of medieval portals, which probably also date from the 12th century and feature rich animal ornamentation. These examples belong to the wider destination of Vang and should be distinguished from the local history of the site of Vang Church.

In Vennis, in Vang, the six Bekkekvernene mills along the Leineåne form an exceptional historic complex of buildings. Sputrefossen, also called Givrisfossen on maps after the Givre farm, offers a different kind of attraction. It is one of the larger sights in Vang Municipality: the water sprays upwards before falling, unlike at other waterfalls. The architectural and church history of the wider destination, along with this distinctive waterfall behavior, complement Vang's more location-specific themes without being the same thing.

Discover more destinations: Tyinkrysset, Øye, Ryfoss

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Vang.