Follebu: Aulestad, Cultural Trails and the Høgda Trail

Follebu offers various ways to shape your stay: Aulestad takes you into the historic home of Nobel laureate Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and his wife Karoline, while trails through the cultural landscape and up to the summit of Høgda offer different impressions. The traditional Kjølen Hematt cross-country skiing fun run is another option. When choosing your holiday accommodation, consider which of these experiences interests you most – culture, a trail or cross-country skiing.

Aulestad and its cultural history

Aulestad was the historic home of Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Karoline. Guided tours and exhibitions offer different perspectives on a visit; Aulestad also features an authentic interior. If you are interested in cultural history, you can make the house and its exhibitions the focus of a day. There is also a garden on the grounds. Aulestad offers activities for children, so a visit need not be limited to the interests of adults.

A visit also includes the Drengestua Café at Aulestad. It serves homemade food in a historic setting. Stopping for a meal therefore complements the cultural experience with a specific culinary offering. If you are travelling with children, you can plan your day around both the children’s activities and the guided tours, exhibitions and garden.

A cultural trail through the landscape

The Aulestad Trail is 2 or 4 kilometres long and passes through the cultural landscape around Aulestad and the Bø farm in Follebu. Several signs along the trail provide information about cultural heritage, forestry and agriculture, as well as the cultural landscape and the farms along the route. Nature and culture are not treated as separate subjects: the signs draw attention to the history and use of the landscape through which the trail runs.

The Aulestad Trail passes through a cultural landscape shaped by agriculture. Along the way, there are views over the western part of Gausdal and south towards Lillehammer. Choosing between 2 and 4 kilometres gives you a clear route-planning decision for the day. If you enjoy learning about cultural heritage and agriculture as you go, this trail offers a different way to explore than a guided tour or exhibition at Aulestad.

Høgda Trail: uphill to the summit

The Høgda Trail in Follebu follows a forest road and a path to the summit. It is about 3 kilometres uphill and 2 kilometres downhill. The trail offers views over Follebu and Rudsbygd. Parking for the Høgda Trail is available at the access road to Øvre Reiten at Follebuhøgda.

The two trails described here therefore have distinctly different focuses: the Aulestad Trail combines a 2- or 4-kilometre route with information signs about cultural heritage and agriculture; the Høgda Trail focuses on the route to the summit and the views over Follebu and Rudsbygd.

Cross-country skiing and more to discover

Kjølen Hematt is a traditional cross-country skiing fun run in the classic style. The route runs from Skeikampen or Ingridskogen to Follebu School, with two route lengths to choose from. Kjølen Hematt is considered informal and family-friendly. Alongside cultural experiences and trails, it offers another way to discover Follebu and the surrounding area from a cross-country skier’s perspective.

More destinations

More destinations to discover: Espedalen, Vestre Gausdal, Østre Gausdal, Gausdal, Svatsum and Svingvoll.

Return to the main travel overview: Gausdal.