Selbu – Pilgrim Route, Knitting Tradition and Nature

Selbu combines a history of pilgrimage and a strong craft tradition with experiences in nature. Families can choose from marked trails, water activities and cultural discoveries to suit their interests. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is worth first considering whether you mainly want to hike, paddle or learn more about Selbu’s history and knitting art. Local points of reference range from Mebonden to the trailheads at Vekta and Hoemskjølen.

Hiking trails with different characteristics

The Romboleden is Norway’s oldest pilgrimage route and runs from Tydal through Selbu to Trondheim. Its Norwegian section passes through Neadalen to Selbu and then follows the shore of Selbusjøen. Selbu Church is also on the Romboleden. It originally dates from 1150, is one of the largest long churches in Trøndelag and is known for its excellent acoustics. When planning this pilgrimage route, it is important to note that it is inadequately marked and is best suited to pilgrims who are familiar with map and compass.

Navigation is different in Skarvan og Roltdalen National Park: The park covers areas in Selbu and offers nature experiences with historical and cultural depth. It can be explored on foot or on skis via well-marked trails and from numerous tourist cabins. In Selbu, Vekta and Hoemskjølen are starting points for a visit; there are car parks, information boards and marked trails into the national park. If you enjoy setting out on your own, Selbu also has established and marked hiking trails, including the “Ti på topp” and “17 i Selbu” route programmes.

Selbustien, water and activities on Årsøya

Selbustien is 8 km long and runs through Mebonden, in the heart of Selbu. Along the route, there are opportunities for swimming and fishing, as well as several starting points and parking areas. These include Putten, Sentralbaneanlegget, Årsøya, Vikaengene and Vikastøa; each is accessed from Vikvarvvegen. Vikaengene beach and Årsøya are along Selbustien. This gives you several named starting points and destinations to choose from for an outing by the water.

Årsøya has a family-friendly activity park and a free nature meeting place with a wood-fired pizza oven. The pump track offers a 620-square-metre paved area for cycling and riding scooters; there is also a disc golf course with 18 baskets. An accessible fishing pier is available for anglers. Facilities on site also include a toilet with a baby-changing area, open daily throughout the year.

Selbu offers opportunities for inland fishing in more than 300 different fishing waters, including the Nea River and Selbusjøen. The lake has paddling routes for both experienced and inexperienced paddlers. Putten and Selbu Camping are possible starting points. If you prefer to get around by bike, you will find routes with varying levels of difficulty and terrain. Many are signposted; maps and overview boards at several locations provide additional guidance.

Crafts and local history

Selbu Bygdemuseum is located in the old vicarage next to Selbu Church. Its exhibitions focus on local life, work, crafts, traditions and history. Selbu Husflidscentral at the museum organises guided tours and museum visits. On request, it offers courses in the Selbu knitting technique, lectures and workshops in collaboration with Selbu Spinneri.

Knitting has a special place in Selbu’s history: knitting with two strands in different colours was used there from 1856–1857 and laid the foundation for the Selbu knitting tradition. It quickly became an important source of income for the community. The Morsarvin sculpture in front of Selbu Sparebank also honours this tradition. Kalvåa bygdetun offers further insights into local customs, including older craft traditions and traditions associated with summer farms, as does Kjeldstad Mill, which is part of the municipality’s museum offering. Taterutstillingen in Vikvarvet is a permanent exhibition in a building from the period of the former camp, which operated from about 1939 to 1960.

More local pages for orientation: Selbu, Mebonden, Selbustrand. More destinations: Osen, Agdenes, Malvik, Orkdal, Tydal.

For the overarching travel overview: Sor-Trondelag.