{"id":37782,"date":"2024-04-19T10:20:08","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T08:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/green-city-break-in-trondheim-norway\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T18:20:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:20:11","slug":"green-city-break-in-trondheim-norway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/norway\/green-city-break-in-trondheim-norway\/","title":{"rendered":"Green City Break in Trondheim, Norway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

City Trip to Trondheim<\/h1>\n\n

When you think of a city trip, Trondheim might not be the first place that comes to mind. But if you love nature\u2014and a little adventure\u2014as well as great local cuisine, this is a fantastic destination for a green city trip. <\/p>\n\n

Sights in Trondheim <\/h2>\n\n

With just under 200,000 residents, the city is Norway\u2019s third-largest, but you wouldn\u2019t know it when you walk through the city center. It has a cozy, small-scale feel. This is partly because there\u2019s very little traffic, and when you do see cars, they\u2019re usually electric\u2014and therefore quiet. <\/p>\n\n

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Trondheim, founded by King Olav and Norway\u2019s Viking capital until 1217, is a well-kept secret with beautiful nature reserves along the Trondheim Fjord and fantastic local cuisine. You can do almost everything on foot; you can reach the Bymarka nature reserve by tram. <\/p>\n\n

Solsiden: An Industrial Atmosphere in an Old Shipyard <\/h2>\n\n

Solsiden\u2014literally \u201cthe sunny side\u201d\u2014is a charming little neighborhood in the city, located by the harbor and with a post-industrial vibe. There are many nice restaurants, bars, and shops on the site of the former shipyard. <\/p>\n\n

Colorful Bakklandet <\/h2>\n\n

This neighborhood takes you back in time. The colorful little houses were once part of a poor neighborhood filled with artisan workshops and workers\u2019 homes, and it has survived many fires. In the 1970s, the local government wanted to build a road right through this neighborhood. Fortunately, that was prevented by numerous protests from the residents. Now it\u2019s a charming and trendy neighborhood\u2014and, once again, a popular place to live. <\/p>\n\n

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Bakklandet has charming galleries and local design shops. You\u2019ll find many bars and restaurants there; one of the few independent bars is the Antikvariatet music caf\u00e9 and book bar. In addition, Bakklandet is home to the charming 18th-century Baklandet Skydsstation, named \u201cScandinavia\u2019s coziest caf\u00e9\u201d by National Geographic\u2014and it certainly is cozy. <\/p>\n\n

Niadaros Cathedral <\/h2>\n\n

The imposing Gothic cathedral was built over the tomb of King Olav. It is the northernmost Gothic cathedral in the world. Construction of the cathedral began in 1070 and was completed around 1300. The cathedral has survived several fires, restorations, and expansions. You can take a guided tour of the church<\/a> and be amazed by its many secrets and rich history. <\/p>\n\n

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There are three museums in the adjacent archbishop\u2019s palace; in one of them, you\u2019ll find the royal regalia, including an impressive crown that has not been worn since the coronation of King Haakon VII in 1906. <\/p>\n\n

New in Trondheim: PoMo Museum<\/h2>\n\n

In February 2025, the old post office will open its doors as Trondheim\u2019s newest art museum<\/a>. This iconic building, once the city\u2019s post office, has been transformed into a vibrant space for modern and contemporary art. <\/p>\n\n

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PoMo is located right next to the beautiful Nye Hjorten Theater and the renowned 154-year-old Britannia Hotel. Together, PoMo, Nye Hjorten, and the Britannia Hotel form an elegant block in the city center, offering a new arts and culture experience. <\/p>\n\n

Kayaking in Trondheim <\/h2>\n\n

You\u2019ll experience Trondheim at its best from the Nidelva River. This is best done by kayak, or you can rent an old wooden boat<\/a> if you prefer. If you want to go kayaking, you can rent a kayak from TrondheimKayakk<\/a> at Grylstad Marina, Nyhavna, or Oysand. You\u2019ll be fitted with a dry suit and can enjoy a leisurely 2- to 3-hour trip, taking in the beautiful, colorful houses from the water. <\/p>\n\n

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Bymarka Nature Reserve <\/h2>\n\n

Take tram 9 (which, by the way, is the only line in Trondheim) from downtown, and in half an hour you\u2019ll be in Bymarka, a vast nature reserve where you can ski until March, but which is also great for walking, hiking, and mountain biking. Walking along beautiful lakes and well-marked trails, you\u2019ll make your way back to the heart of Trondheim in about 4 to 5 hours. <\/p>\n\n

The Gr\u00e5kallbanen\u2014also known as tram 9\u2014is the world\u2019s northernmost tram line. Take it to the terminal station, Lian, where you\u2019ll arrive at Lake Lianvatnet. You can walk around the lake in about an hour. We got off a few stops earlier at Kyvannet. From there, it was about 15 kilometers back to the heart of Trondheim\u2014not the most direct route, but one that took us past beautiful lakes, forests, waterfalls, and meadows. <\/p>\n\n

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Lavollen, a hidden treasure in the Bymarka Nature Reserve<\/h2>\n\n

Lavollen is located in the heart of the Bymarka nature reserve and is a fantastic place to have lunch or enjoy a cup of coffee. Hikers use this old, renovated farmhouse, built in 1905, as a stopover. It is passionately run by Ann Helen and Youssef. We had a delicious stew, but they also serve homemade cookies, cakes, and lunch. <\/p>\n\n

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In addition to being a great spot for hikers, this is also a social gathering place where seniors from Trondheim are brought to relax, and it offers day care for children with dementia. It\u2019s also a dog-friendly spot\u2014one of the few places where you\u2019re allowed to bring your dog inside. Another unique rest stop in Bymarka is Gr\u00f8nlia. You can get there by taking the tram to the last stop and walking toward Restaurant Lian. From there, follow the signs to Gr\u00f8nlia, a rest stop for skiers, walkers, and hikers since 1925. <\/p>\n\n

You can reach Lavollen on foot from downtown Trondheim in about 1.5 hours. You\u2019ll walk along the Ilavassdraget. You can also take bus 26 to By\u00e5sen Butikksenter and enjoy a lovely walk through beautiful woods and past several lakes. Lavollen is also accessible by car. From there, you can take several beautiful hikes, including one back to the heart of Trondheim. <\/p>\n\n

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St. Olav’s Pilgrimage Route <\/h2>\n\n

The St. Olav Routes to Trondheim are a network of beautiful historic trails, all leading to Niadaros Cathedral, where St. Olav is buried. In the Middle Ages, it was the northernmost Christian pilgrimage route. The best time to hike these routes is between June and September, when most of the snow has melted. <\/p>\n\n

Click here<\/a> to find accommodations along the St. Olav Routes. You should call them in advance (one or two days before your stay) to check for availability. Most accommodations along the route serve breakfast and dinner. <\/p>\n\n

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1-Day Pilgrimage Route to Trondheim <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

This 8.5 mini-pilgrimage route takes you from Lian to Trondheim. Take the Gr\u00e5kallbanen (Tram 9) from downtown Trondheim to Lian. From there, you\u2019ll walk along the pilgrimage trail through beautiful woods to Sverresborg, the \u201cTr\u00f8ndelag Folk Museum.\u201d This museum features more than 60 traditional historic buildings from the Tr\u00f8ndelag region. You\u2019ll pass the Haltdalen stave church, built entirely of wood and covered with tar, a remnant of Norway\u2019s earliest churches. Here you can have lunch at the museum restaurant. Then continue toward the city and Nidaros Cathedral, the final destination of the St. Olav\u2019s Route. <\/p>\n\n

Sustainable Kitchen \u2013 Restaurant Tips in Trondheim <\/h2>\n\n

With its fertile soil and seas teeming with fish, the Tr\u00f8ndelag region and Trondheim have all the ingredients needed for excellent local cuisine. And indeed, it is abundant. Local produce is widely used, supporting a sustainable approach. <\/p>\n\n

The slow food culture<\/a> of Tr\u00f8ndelag and Trondheim has earned the region European recognition for its local cuisine. Many local producers and farms supply world-class locally sourced seafood, game, vegetables, and fruits. The region\u2019s commitment to sustainability, the connections between businesses and products, and the quality with which the products are prepared were recognized in 2022 when Tr\u00f8ndelag was designated a European Region of Gastronomy. <\/p>\n\n

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Restaurant recommendations featuring locally sourced cuisine <\/h2>\n\n