{"id":874,"date":"2024-12-20T11:51:57","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T10:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/?p=874"},"modified":"2024-12-28T13:49:57","modified_gmt":"2024-12-28T12:49:57","slug":"the-viking-trail-is-coming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/2024\/12\/20\/the-viking-trail-is-coming\/","title":{"rendered":"The Viking Route is Coming!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Within a straight-line distance of just 40 km, you can find some of the world\u2019s most spectacular Viking Age monuments. These experiences are lined up one after another, whether you choose to drive, cycle\u2014or hike!
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Einar Chr. Erlingsen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 25 years ago, I first proposed the idea of connecting Vestfold\u2019s many spectacular Viking Age sites into a single experience route. I was inspired by Denmark and Scotland. Denmark introduced its Marguerite Route in 1991\u2014a 3,500-km-long tour through the country\u2019s most scenic landscapes and around 1,000 attractions, large and small. The route is marked by small signs featuring\u2014of course\u2014a marguerite flower (similar to a daisy, but a different species and Queen Margrethe\u2019s favorite).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In northern Scotland, we find a much shorter route, only about 60 km long. That might be just as well. Along the way, The Malt Whisky Trail visits no fewer than seven distilleries, as well as a cooperage. Each distillery offers tastings, so it might be wise to appoint a designated driver for the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Vestfold, however, it\u2019s an entirely different experience on offer. The Viking Route starts at M\u00f8len in the southernmost part of the county and winds through beautiful forest, coastal, and cultural landscapes, stopping at some of the world\u2019s most important Viking Age discoveries before ending at the Borre mounds\u2014the largest collection of monumental Viking Age burial mounds in Scandinavia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ships of Stone<\/strong>
Along the way, you can marvel at M\u00f8len<\/em>\u2019s stunning landscape of rolling stone beaches, dotted with hundreds of large and small burial cairns. From there, continue to Kaupang<\/em>, where Norway\u2019s first town was established in the 8th century. Further inland lies the mysterious stone ship setting at Istreh\u00e5gan<\/em>. A scenic 3.3-km cultural trail leads to another, even larger stone setting at Elgesem<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Istreh\u00e5gan\nPhoto:
Istreh\u00e5gan\nPhoto: Ragnar Orten Lie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

From there, it\u2019s only a short distance to the Viking Park<\/em> in Sandefjord\u2019s bustling harbor area. Here, Oseberg Viking Heritage Foundation features a site with a pole house and smithy, where parts are being crafted for the first-ever archaeological replica of the Gokstad <\/em>ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Original Viking Ship<\/strong>
The next stop is the Gokstad Mound<\/em>, where the famous ship was excavated in 1880. For the first time, the world gained an understanding of Viking ship construction. Just 500 meters away is the Heimdal field<\/em>, where archaeologists in 2011 discovered a previously unknown Viking Age trading post.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"STAVE-BUILT
The Viking Park in Sandefjord
Picture: Steinar Hvitstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

From here, the journey continues to T\u00f8nsberg. At Jarlsberg Manor lies S\u00e6heimr, a Viking-era site. If you opt to go on foot, a cultural trail leads via Berg Prison and past several smaller Viking graves<\/em> to Kjelle. From there, it\u2019s just a few hundred meters to the Slottsfjell Museum<\/em>, home to the Kl\u00e5stad Ship<\/em>\u2014a merchant vessel from around the year 1000 and the only original Viking ship displayed outside Oslo. (Where, by the way, the famous Viking Ship Museum is closed for another two years due to reconstruction).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The
The Kl\u00e5stad ship “Saga Farmann” is currently in the Rome heading for Paris and London in 2025\nPhoto: David Kro Balerup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A Ship in the Making<\/strong>
Descending from the hill, you\u2019ll reach Vikingodden<\/em>, where the Oseberg Viking Heritage Foundation is building its third full-scale Viking ship since 2010. This is the world\u2019s only continuously operating Viking shipyard! Visitors can witness shipbuilding, blacksmithing, wood carving, textile work, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\""Saga
“Saga Gokstad” an archaeological replika of the Gokstad Viking ship is built at “Vikingodden” in T\u00f8nsberg.
Photo: B\u00e5rd Kj\u00f8lsrud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Chieftain\u2019s Hall and Festival<\/strong>
The next stop is the Oseberg Mound<\/em>\u2014the site of the world\u2019s most spectacular Viking Age discovery. Finally, the road leads to its end at the Midgard Viking Center<\/em> in Borre. The site exudes a mysterious atmosphere with its monumental burial mounds. The visitor center features changing exhibitions and a cozy caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Midgardsblot
Midgardsblot gathers thousands of people each year at the Guild hall in Borre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Just a few hundred meters north lies the fantastic Gildehallen<\/em> (Chieftain\u2019s Hall), where guided tours are available. Gildehallen and its surrounding area also host the annual Midgardsblot festival<\/em>\u2014a metal and folk music festival that attracts visitors from around the world: www.midgardsblot.no<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Navigate the Viking Route?<\/strong>
The idea of the Viking Route is as mentioned not new, but Vestfold County Council\u2019s planning and facilitation have accelerated its realization. Archaeologist Ragnar Orten Lie at Vestfold County\u2019s Cultural Heritage Department is leading the project. The goal is to launch marketing efforts by 2025, including signage, maps, photos, videos, and other online information. Brochures and possibly a book highlighting the Viking Trail\u2019s key attractions are also in the works.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Map
Map of the Viking Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Viking Route can be driven on smaller roads from M\u00f8len to Midgard, mostly near the coast. To see the main highlights, plan for two days. Alternatively, you can cycle or hike, allowing three to four days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how you choose to travel, the Viking Route in Vestfold offers unforgettable experiences!<\/p>\n\n\n\"en_GB\"\/<\/a>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Within a straight-line distance of just 40 km, you can find some of the world\u2019s most spectacular Viking Age monuments. These experiences are lined up one after another, whether you… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route.jpg",1903,1528,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route-300x241.jpg",300,241,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route-768x617.jpg",768,617,true],"large":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route-1024x822.jpg",1024,822,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route-1536x1233.jpg",1536,1233,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route.jpg",1903,1528,false],"gg_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Map-of-the-Viking-route-450x250.jpg",450,250,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Ole Harald","author_link":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/author\/ole-harald\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Within a straight-line distance of just 40 km, you can find some of the world\u2019s most spectacular Viking Age monuments. These experiences are lined up one after another, whether you…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=874"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/874\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":885,"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/874\/revisions\/885"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=874"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}