Surroundings, Trondheim

The fjord and the mountains are just a few of the features surrounding Trondheim.

Related Attractions

Munkholmen

2km/1.25mi north of Trondheim, in the Trondheimfjord, is the fortified island of Munkholm. On the island stands a round tower belonging to the former Benedictine abbey of Nidarholm (founded in the 12th century), the site of which is now occupied by a fort built in 1658, the Gammel Festning.

The fort is now a popular recreational resort with swimming and a restaurant.

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Ringve Gård Museum

3.5km/2mi north of Trondheim, in the Lade district, can be found the manor house of Ringve Gård, childhood home of the naval hero Peter Nordenskjold. It now houses the Ringve Museum, with a fine collection of musical instruments, which visitors can play (concert hall).

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Fjellseter Gråkallen

A pleasant excursion from Trondheim is on the Fjellsetervei to the Fjellseter (367m/1,204ft; skiing area, ski-jump), 8km/5mi west of the city. From here there is a path (15minutes) to the summit of Gråkallen (556m/1,824ft), from which there are views of much of the Trondheimfjord, extending east to the mountains along the Swedish frontier and south to Snøhetta and the Trollheim hills. The hill can also be reached on the Gråkallen electric railroad from St Olavsgata, or by bus from Dronningensgata to Lian (30minutes; alt. 272m/892ft), continuing on foot by way of the Fjellseter and Skistua to Gråkallen (a pleasant walk, 2-2.5 hours there and back).

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Sviniks Arboretum

Unique for such a northerly garden are the rhododendrons and bamboos. The majority is a pleasant woodland garden.

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Kristiansten Fort

On a low hill (72m/236ft) to the east of Trondheim, reached by way of the Bybru and the Bakklandet district, is the little 17th century fort of Kristiansten, from which there is a fine view of the town (best by morning light).

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Television Tower

There is a magnificent view of Trondheim and its fjord from the revolving restaurant in the Television Tower to the east of the city (120m/395ft; restaurant at 80m/260ft).

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Western Outskirts

Folk Museum

On a low hill to the southwest of Trondheim, once occupied by the Sverresborg, a stronghold built by King Sverre (1177-1202), is the Folk Museum (Folkemuseet), an open-air museum with old buildings from the Trondheim area.

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Biological Research Station

Northwest of Trondheim, on the shores of the fjord, stands the Biological Research Station, with an aquarium and a large marine laboratory.

Trondheim to Namsos

Vaernes

E 6 (the Narvik road) runs east from Trondheim along the shores of the fjord. There is also an expressway (No. 706; toll). In 35km/22mi, at Værnes (shortly before the tunnel under the airport), is a 13th century church. The airport is the fourth largest in Norway.

Steinkjer

125km/78mi from Trondheim is Steinkjer (pop. 20,000), on the Steinkjerfjord, an agricultural market center in the county of Nord-Trøndelag. On the north bank of the Steinkjerelv is an open-air museum, with old peasant houses. 10km/6mi west of the town, at Bardal, are Stone Age and Bronze Age rock carvings.

Steinkjer has varied habitats, which attract an abundance of birdlife.

The town is also host of a music festival, held each year in August, and other cultural events held at the local culture house.

Namsos

The road from Steinkjer to Namsos (No. 17) branches off at Asphaugen. Namsos (pop. 11,000) lies at the mouth of the Namsenelv, which here flows into the Namsenfjord, 205km/128mi from Trondheim. The Namsenelv is a rich salmon river. The town's main source of income is the timber trade due for the most part to the location by the river, and the large forests nearby. To the east of the town is the Namsdal Museum, with old boats, tools and everyday objects. From Bjørumsklompen (115m/377ft) there is a fine view of the town. Namsos can also be reached from Trondheim by boat.