Walkable City
Photo: Mykola Ksenofontov
Imagine a place where you could get a cup of coffee to start your day, followed by a quick shopping trip, then sightseeing a historical fortress, with a longer break in a green space and perhaps any number of delicious, inexpensive food choices. You can manage all this in less than a day walking in Trondheim!
The city is home to Nidaros, the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world, and is even still a place for pilgrimage. This culture has continued through to the modern day where the city aims to reduce the number of cars in the city centre in order to increase possibilities for collective traffic, as well as biking and walking opportunities. Since 2010, the number of people walking to and from the city center has increased by 35%!
The distance between Solsiden and Studentersamfundet is 1.56 kilometers when calculated in a straight line.
Photo: Mykola Ksenofontov
The city is compact and is easy to navigate by foot. Shops, schools, restaurants, and cultural landmarks are conveniently located within walking distance of residential areas. Streets like Nordre gate in the city centre are fully pedestrianized. These vibrant spaces are free of cars where you can shop, relax, or enjoy street performances. The city centre has wide sidewalks and many crossings.
However you determine the length of the city-centre, whether from Ila to Gamle bybro or Studentersamfundet to Solsiden, it’s about a 30-minute walk!
Photo: Mckenna Starck
You don’t have to limit your walk to Norde gate, however. Several worthwhile landmarks are reachable by foot or bus and are mere minutes from each other. There are walking paths along the scenic Nidelva River which connect neighborhoods to the city centre. Areas such as Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) are accessible and designed with walkers in mind, making journeys functional as well as enjoyable. Trondheim hasn’t forgotten cyclists, however. There are more bike paths every year, designated away from cars and pedestrians, making journeys safer for all. More and more people are choosing bikes over cars every year. The number of cyclists going to and from the city centre has increased by 58% in the last ten years.
Parks and green spaces, such as Marinen and Ilaparken, are also well-distributed across the city, offering tranquil spots to rest and enjoy nature. These areas are often linked by well-maintained footpaths, which further encourage you to choose walking over other modes of transport. You can read more about Parks and green spaces in our article 'Places to hang'.
Photo: Mykola Ksenofontov
It’s a city where every step tells you a story, connecting past and present through thoughtful design and a commitment to sustainability. Next time you find yourself in Trondheim, take a walk—you’ll discover a city that’s built for it!
Here are some examples of some walks you could manage without a bus in 3km or less!
Photo: Mykola Ksenofontov
History-minded?
Justice museum to Nidaros Cathedral to Old Town Bridge to Kristiansten fortress (2.5km)
A lesser known history gem in town is the Justice Museum, located at the old criminal asylum and military hospital in the city centre. You can follow that up with a visit to Nidaros Cathedral for a tour and then walk down to Old Town Bridge to see the old, wooden buildings.
Shopper?
Trondheim torg to Nordre gate to Bakklandet to Solsiden (2.5km)
Trondheim torg, located in the very heart of the city centre, has over a hundred shops! You can follow that up with a trip to the cute, wooden building part of town where they have more niche boutiques. Then you can walk down to Solsiden shopping centre, enjoying views from the bridges that will take you there.
Enjoy green spaces?
Ilaparken to Marinen to Elgeseterpark (2.5km)
If you add a thirty minute bus ride from St. Olavs hospital to Ringve museum, you can include Ringve Botanical Gardens on your itinerary, a beautiful 32-acre space of varying plant species and events.
Want to see some street art?
Skansen (alley of street art next to Trondheim gatekunst) to Main library (Alt er musikk mural) to Svartlamon (mural by famous local artists Håkon Bleken & Håkon Gullvåg) (3km)
You can see several other street art locations on this map.
Photo: Mckenna Starck
Gwen Elliot
Gwen has lived in Trondheim, Norway for seven years. She is studying for her Master's in Gender & Equality Studies and volunteers for Amnesty International in her free time.
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