Stave churches in Norway
Hardanger Region
Røldal Stave Church
Røldal Stave Church is located a short drive from Odda. The church is on the old route between Oslo and Western Norway, and the church has also been an important pilgrimage site.
Sognefjord Region
Urnes Stave Church
Urnes Stave Church is the oldest best-preserved stave church left and is the only one on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Lom Stave Church
Lom Stave Church is one of the top stave churches in the country, and it’s located at one end of the Sognefjellet Tourist Road.
Kaupanger Stave Church
No trip to the Sognefjord is complete without a visit to Kaupanger Stave Church. It’s a tall church standing proudly alongside the fjord; in fact, it’s the largest church in Vestland county. While Kaupanger may seem like a sleepy village today, during the Viking Age it was one of the busiest settlements in Norway. Also, as the name suggests, it was an important trading place.
Borgund Stave Church
Borgund is arguably the most famous stave church in Norway. It’s located on the highway between Bergen and Oslo and you can get there by tour from Flåm.
Telemark
Eidsborg Stave Church
With an open-air museum built around it, Eidsborg Stave Church is a great one to visit. It’s one of the smallest stave churches left in the country and is just a short drive from Dalen.
Heddal Stave Church
While more in Eastern Norway than Telemark, you typically pass Heddal Stave Church on your way into the Telemark region (it’s on the road to Rjukan). The church is the largest stave church remaining in Norway and is a must-see when roadtripping.
Numedal Valley
The Numedal Valley runs from Kongsberg (near Oslo) to Geilo, a popular ski resort. The valley is known for being one of the best preserved medieval valleys in the country, and it has four stave churches!
Rollag Stave Church
Rollag Stave Church is a tiny rural church surrounded by old farm buildings.
Norre Stave Church
Norre Stave Church is a well-preserved example of a rural stave church.
Uvdal Stave Church
Located as part of an open-air museum, Uvdal is a well-preserved stave church with an intricate interior.
Valdres
These stave churches have remained preserved because they are in remote locations in the countryside. Many are not too far from major highways between Bergen and Oslo.
Lomen Stave Church
If you are driving on the E16 between Bergen and Oslo, Lomen Stave Church is by the highway. Located in the historic Valdres Valley, this church has stood here since the 12th century. In the summer months, it is open to the public, where you can go inside and marvel up-close at the medieval detailing.
Høre Stave Church
Valdres is a common location in the old Norse sagas. After all, it is the valley you pass through on the ancient royal road from Oslo to Bergen. Naturally, there’s a little history here. And you can read it right on the walls of Høre Stave Church!
Øye Stave Church
Øye Stave Church has the appearance of an old church. I could almost envision Vikings stepping out of the front door after their service. Øye Stave Church is one of the oldest churches in the country.
Hegge Stave Church
Hegge Stave Church is a grand wooden church that has more or less been here since the 13th century. Like every one of the 28 remaining stave churches in Norway, Hegge Stave Church has a fascinating history.
Gudbrandsdalen
Ringebu Stave Church
Located close to Lillehammer, Ringebu is one of the most visited stave churches in the country.
West Coast
Rødven Stave Church
Rødven Stave Church is a unique Møre-type stave church close to Åndalsnes/Trollstigen.