Exploring the Old Town, our adventure began in Trondheim's charming Old Town, Bakklandet. The narrow cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses immediately transported me back in time. The houses were originally warehouses that were used to store goods as grain, sugar, salt and fish.

The cobbled walking paths make exploring the historic wharfs an easy and beautiful walk. At this point we had plenty of energy however as we found out by the end of the day we were exhausted. Be prepared for alot of walking in this town!

The Old Town Bridge over the Nidelven River is a great spot to get a picturesque view of the historic wharfs from a distance and the iconic Gamle Bybro, or Old Town Bridge, was a perfect starting point for our exploration. Walking across this picturesque bridge, I was treated to panoramic views of the Nidelva River and the iconic Nidaros Cathedral in the distance. The bridge is also known as th Happiness Bridge and the story is that you make a wish as you cross the bridge it will come true!.

Travel Tip #1: Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the hilly cobblestone streets of Bakklandet. If your visiting in the colder months, make sure you shoes are waterproof, as the weather was very unpredictable with a combination of showers and sunshine. 

Trampe, The Bicycle Lift

Just past the bridge is the “Trampe” which is a bicycle lift installed in the side of a very steep hill which leads up towards the fort. The lift opened in August 1993, this was the first and only bicycle lift in the world. Trampe annually carries 20-30.000 cyclists up the hill, and up to five people can take the lift simultaneously. It is a very popular attraction in Trondheim due to its rarity. Today it is under reconstruction of some sort to was not working.
Time for coffee, and a bathroom break. We found a coffee shop and enjoyed a snack and coffee. Bev and I were going to share a Cinnamon Scroll but we ended up with one each. Never mind! we had no trouble finishing them off.

Next stop was the Fort at the top of the hill.. a very steep walk. The two hubbies decided to wait down below. Bev and I took off up the hill at a stead pace, after 5 mins we were rather tired. It sure is a steep hill!

A bit of history about the fortress: 

Kristiansten fortress is a National Fortifications Heritage site. The dungeon and museum are the main attractions inside the fortress. The fortress is surrounded by a large grassy area. The building is a stark white colour.

The fort was used by the Nazi forces during World War II. The site where 23 Norwegian patriots were executed by the Nazi forces is inside the fortress. We saw the memorial site along with a garden and plaque that we could actually read in English.

The views from the top of the fort were just spectacular. Well worth the walk.

Travel Tip #3: Dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket, as the weather can change quickly on the fjord.
Munkholmen Island: we didn’t get to visit the island. It’s a short boat ride from Trondheim. This former monastery turned prison offers a glimpse into Norway's history. You can explore the island and visit the small museum.