10 sights to explore along Mjøstråkk

We've said it before, but Mjøstråkk is much more than a bike ride around lake Mjøsa.

The Mjøsa-region has been inhabited for several thousand years and this has left its mark in the form of cultural and industrial monuments, various museums and sights that convey the region’s history. In addition, you cycle through one of Norway's best agricultural areas, which means that a plenty of memorable food experiences are available along the way.

Here is 10 recommended sights you might want to visit during your adventure around lake Mjøsa.

1 | Maihaugen - Lillehammer
Maihaugen is the largest open-air museum in Norway with more than 200 historic houses from the 13th century until today. A main attraction is the Garmo stave church from the 1200s. In the summer you meet actors, guides and working craftsmen in the open-air museum. The Museum Shop and the café in the visitor center is open every day in the museum's opening hours.

The Norwegian Olympic Museum is located in the visitor center at Maihaugen. The Olympic Museum is telling the history of the 1994 Winter Olympics, among other Olympic moments from all over the world.

2 | Skibladner - Gjøvik
Skibladner is the world’s oldest paddle steamer in timetabled service and one of Norway’s best-loved attractions, being 168 years old in August 2023.

She is still powered by her steam engines from 1888, and offers a uniquely authentic experience of steamship travel in the 1800s. The most scenic view of Lake Mjøsa is available on the paddle steamer Skibladner on a beautiful summer's day.

3 | The Peder Balke centre - Kapp
Peder Balke was a pioneer in 19th century Scandinavian landscape painting.

Beautifully situated, in a listed building from the 18th century, you will find the gallery where Peder Balke decorated the ballroom with 12 murals in 1834. In addition to the murals, we have changing exhibitions of contemporary art in the summer half and an information center about Peder Balke.

4 | Atlungstad brenneri - Stange
Atlungstad Brenneri is an historic distillery at the shore of lake Mjøsa in Stange Vestbygd, 5 km south of Hamar. It was established as a cooperative by farmers in 1855,  and has over the years produced aquavit, punch, and other types of liquor.

The distillery is still in operation for parts of the year, please join us on a journey back in time. Our guides will take you through the distillery and follow the potato's journey from farm to table with the help of storytelling and audiovisual experiences. 

5 | Norwegian Railway museum - Hamar
The museum enjoys a beautiful location by lake Mjøsa, north of Hamar town centre.

In addition to modern indoor exhibitions, the museum sports a large museum park featuring various railway buildings and track systems. During summer, a narrow-gauge train operates in the park.

6 | Domkirkeodden - Hamar
One of Norway's largest medieval museums providing an insight into our history from the Viking era, through the Middle Ages and up until today.

The glass structure covering the cathedral ruins is the main attraction, and this is where visitors are told the dramatic story of how the church was destroyed. You also get to experience the fantastic acoustics as the guides show off their singing skills.

 


7 | Mjøsparken - Brumunddal
Mjøsparken is a park area which facilitates recreation in beautiful surroundings all year around. Enjoy lazy days on the beach, take a stroll on the lovely promenade or spend an active day in the ice skating area during the winter. The possibilities are almost endless!

In the summer you can buy tasty summer dishes, snacks and cold drinks at the park cafe. The park is right next to Wood Hotel (situated in the world’s largest wooden building, Mjøstårnet).

8 | Ringsaker kirke - Moelv
Ringsaker church, built around 1150, is one of Norway's lagers and most authentic medieval churches. It also boasts a position among the only 5 remaining basilica-churches in the country.

Ringsaker Church is known for its altarpiece, made in Antwerp, Belgium, around 1520. Art historians have stated that this altarpiece is the finest piece of pre-Reformation church art in Norway.

9 | The emerald mines - Minnesund
At the southern end of Mjøsa you will find Northern Europe's only emerald mines - at Byrud Gård in Eidsvoll. "The Norwegian & General Exploration Company Ltd" mined for emeralds from 1899 to 1909. It is said that there is an emerald from Byrud in the English crown jewels.

The mines are located approximately 1 km from the farmyard. In the storehouse we have an exhibition of our emeralds and other minerals you can find in the mining area. We have plenty of stones and stone products for sale.

10 | Eidsvoll 1814 - Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll Manor House is one of Norway’s most important national symbols. It is the place where the Norwegian Constitution was drawn up and signed in 1814. The Constituent Assembly, made up of 112 delegates, gathered here from 10 April to 20 May 1814. The Assembly declared Norway an independent nation, after more than 400 years of union with Denmark, gave the country a constitution and elected a king.

Drop by and get a guided tour in english every open day at 12:30 pm