Eidsvoll: Constitutional History and Nature on Lake Mjøsa
Accommodation in Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll brings together defining moments in Norwegian history, lakes, hiking trails and outdoor destinations. Norway’s Constitution was written and adopted here at Eidsvoll Manor in 1814. Those interested in the origins of the country can combine their stay with visits to museums and historic sites; those who prefer the outdoors will find other ways to spend their holiday around Lake Mjøsa and Lake Hurdalsjøen.
Constitutional history and insights into the past
The Eidsvoll 1814 Museum preserves Eidsvoll Manor as a national heritage site. The Manor can only be visited on a guided tour. Eidsvoll bygdetun in Hammerstad offers another historical perspective, showcasing rural communities from the 18th and 19th centuries. At the Okkupasjonsmuseet there, visitors can learn how the occupation and resistance unfolded in Eidsvoll during the Second World War.
Eidsivatinget is also part of the area’s history. It was established on 17 June 1022 in Eid, today’s Eidsvoll. Eid’s strategic position as a hub for trade and transport explains the importance of this historical connection. For a walk, visit the historic park by the Eidsvoll 1814 Constitution building, which is free to enter. The cultural trail starts at the Old Eidsvoll Verk Bridge.
In Minnesund, Mjøssamlingene tells the story of boats and freight traffic on Lake Mjøsa. The maritime museum includes warehouses, workshops and historic boats in their original surroundings. During the summer season, the buildings are open every Sunday, with a guide or museum attendant on hand. Those more interested in mining history can see equipment from Eidsvoll’s last period of mining at Gullverket Museum, including devices used in the laboratory and the associated infrastructure.
Lakes, swimming spots and special places to visit
Lake Mjøsa and Lake Hurdalsjøen offer good swimming opportunities in Eidsvoll municipality. Rødvika/Prestsand on Lake Hurdalsjøen is accessible to people with reduced mobility; the two swimming areas there are child-friendly and have sandy beaches. This makes them a practical option for holiday days focused on swimming.
At the Smaragdgruvene emerald mines on Lake Mjøsa in Minnesund, you can explore the mining area on your own and search for emeralds. It is just under a kilometre from the car park to the mines, and there is also a small museum on site. For a different view of Lake Mjøsa, visit Carsten Ankers lysthus on Christenkollen. It is a copy of the house Carsten Anker had built near Feiring Jernverk, and a destination offering magnificent views of the lake.
Boaters have good access to Lake Mjøsa and the Vorma from Eidsvoll. There are two guest docks by the bridges: one at the old bridge, next to the outdoor restaurant there, and the other at the new bridge, by the log-driving sculpture.
Hiking, cycling and winter days
The Pilgrim Path through Eidsvoll is 35 kilometres long in total and passes through different types of nature and historic memorial sites. An eight-kilometre section runs from the Eidsvolls-bygningen to Eidsvoll kirke. If you would like to include a shorter stretch in your day’s plans, you can follow this section while keeping the full length of the route in mind.
For cyclists, Mjøstråkk is laid out as a suggested route in seven stages, with its start and end points in Eidsvoll and Minnesund, respectively. The municipality also has many marked hiking trails and many kilometres of forest tracks suitable for cycling and running. In winter, cross-country ski trails are available, both lit and unlit.
At 698 metres, Skreikampen is the highest peak in Eidsvoll municipality and along Lake Mjøsa. The summit is a popular destination for winter hikes, and a cross-country ski trail leads through open mountain forest all the way to the top. The options vary by season and preferred activity, from routes through forest areas to a summit destination.
Discover places in Eidsvoll
The experiences you want to focus on—history, water, hiking or cycling—can help shape your choice of holiday focus. To explore more of the municipality, find Minnesund, Eidsvoll, Dal and Råholt here.
For the wider travel overview: Akershus.
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