Ringebu: Culture, Pilgrim Routes and Cross-Country Skiing

Ringebu combines historic cultural sites and pilgrim routes with cross-country skiing opportunities at Venabygdsfjellet.

Stave Church and Cultural Sites

Ringebu Stave Church was built around 1220 and is one of Norway’s largest surviving stave churches. Its construction date and size provide a clear historical context for the site. Those interested in stave churches will find both a specific date and a sense of its place among Norway’s stave churches. A stave church is a wooden church whose supporting structure is based on vertical posts. The term therefore refers to a particular construction method, not simply to the age of the building.

Ringebu Prestegard is a historic cultural site with art exhibitions. Prestegardshagen is home to around 170 different varieties of roses; the collection may gradually change. The culture and garden offer distinct points of interest. Gildesvollen is also used for various events and activities.

Høgkleiva: Road History and Pilgrim Route

Several aspects of local history come together at Høgkleiva. The Kongevegen over Høgkleiva was the first road built for wheeled traffic through Ringebu. Contemporary art, an Iron Age hillfort, and legends and stories also come together at the same site. Høgkleiva is also on the pilgrim route between Fåvang and Ringebu.

The Gudbrandsdalsleden over Høgkleiva is a 643-kilometre-long, well-marked pilgrim route from Oslo to Trondheim. The Pilegrimsleden over Høgkleiva is a walking and cultural route through nature and a spiritual landscape. There is a rest area at Høgkleiva for pilgrims and other walkers. As trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check the current situation before setting out. The information reflects different scales: Høgkleiva is on the pilgrim route between Fåvang and Ringebu; the 643 kilometres refers to the entire Gudbrandsdalsleden route from Oslo to Trondheim. So, when considering a section of the route, the local connection is what matters, while the total distance describes the wider route.

Cross-Country Skiing and Other Activities

Venabygdsfjellet is a mountain area in Ringebu Municipality, between Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen. It has extensive cross-country ski trails stretching for many miles in all directions; the famous Troll-løypa also starts there. This gives cross-country skiers a specific point of reference when planning activities in the municipality.

Summer activities are also available: Kvitfjell is in Fåvang, in Ringebu Municipality. The 2026 summer offer included cycling opportunities and electric bicycle rentals. As this is a seasonal offer, it may change. Landsbyen Ringebu also has a pump track for cyclists of all ages.

Ringebu town centre offers shops, places to eat and services; specific commercial offerings may change.

Discover more destinations: Fåvang, Ringebu, Sør-Aurdal, Lillehammer Municipality, Øystre Slidr, Lesja, Lom, Vestre Slidre.

For the broader travel overview: Oppland.