Røyse: Pilgrim Route, Churches and Cultural Landscape

At Røyse, pilgrimage history, medieval churches and an ancient cultural landscape come together. The pilgrim route passes through Ringerike, and the church art at Bønsnes Church and the burial mounds at Frøyshov farm tell stories of different eras. If you’re looking for a suitable place to stay, you could start by asking whether the pilgrim route, cultural history or landscape should be the focus of your trip.

Walking the pilgrim route through Ringerike

The pilgrim route through Ringerike is part of the Gudbrandsdalsleden. From Bønsnes in Røyse, it passes through Ringerike, Hadeland and Toten before reaching Gjøvik. One section, between Bønsnes Church and Hole Church, is about 6 km long. This specific distance can help you factor the route into your day’s plans; by itself, it does not indicate how long the walk will take or what the trail conditions are like.

Nordre Ullern is a natural stop for pilgrims and others who want to explore Røyse on foot. It is located in the heart of Røyse, in Hole Municipality, close to Bønsnes Church and the historic pilgrim route to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Those interested in pilgrim routes will find another connection here to the route and its history.

The old, red-painted Skomakerstua stands beside the pilgrim route at Frøyshov. It offers a simple, self-service rest area with electricity, water and a dry toilet. There are two to three sleeping places in the communal room. The door is open, and benches outside invite you to take a break. This simple stopover is quite different from independently looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for your stay.

Medieval church and art in Bønsnes

Bønsnes Church stands at the outer end of the Røyse Peninsula in Bønsnes, along the Gudbrandsdalsleden. It is one of Norway’s oldest medieval churches and one of the two surviving medieval stone churches in Hole. Its furnishings also make it noteworthy for those interested in cultural history: the church houses a wooden Madonna sculpture dating from around 1250 and a 15th-century crucifix.

The church stands on high ground, surrounded by fertile fields. From there, the view stretches far south across Tyrifjord. Bønsnes thus combines historic architecture with a view of the surrounding cultural landscape. If you want to focus on this part of Røyse, you can plan your trip around the church, pilgrim route and landscape.

Burial mounds and views at Frøyshov

Frøyshov farm is home to a burial ground dating from the Early Iron Age. It consists of at least 20 round burial mounds and is situated on high, open ground. From there, you can enjoy expansive views of Tyrifjord and the ancient cultural landscape. This site offers a different historical perspective from the medieval churches: the focus here is on the burial ground and its setting in the landscape.

Outside Hole Church, there is drinking water, a bench and a stamp for pilgrim passports. In summer, the church has no regular opening hours; it is opened on request or when available. If you’re planning this section of the pilgrim route, this arrangement is useful to know when finding your way around.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Røyse, the places described here offer different starting points for deciding what to focus on during your trip: the pilgrim route and churches, archaeological history, or expansive views across Tyrifjord. More places to explore: Krokkleiva, Kroksund, Grøndokka.

For the main travel overview: Hole.