Along the Nidelva to Leirfossene
A bike ride along the river to the falls that powered the city's trams.
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An easy bike ride out of the city along the Nidelvstien trail. You cycle south from Gløshaugen along the river to Nedre Leirfoss, where the power station from 1910 looks like a castle. The route continues past the remains of a German anti-aircraft battery to Øvre Leirfoss. The power plant here opened in 1901 and powered the city's electric tram. Since 2008 most of the water runs through a tunnel, so the falls are at their biggest in the spring flood.
The stops
- 1
Nedre Leirfoss kraftstasjon
A castle-like power station from 1910, designed by Axel Guldahl, by the falls with a 27-metre drop.
- 2
Leira fort
The remains of a German anti-aircraft battery from the Second World War.
- 3
Øvre Leirfoss kraftstasjon
The city's first power plant, opened in 1901, and the reason Trondheim got an electric tram.
About the trip
- Where
- Trondheim
- Getting around
- By bike
- Time
- 2 h
- Distance
- 2.3 km
- Stops
- 3
- Season
- April–November
- Themes
- Nature, History
Practical
- Start
- The city bike dock at Gløshaugen.
- Finish
- Øvre Leirfoss. Cycle back, or take bus 18 from Nedre Leirfoss to the centre.
- Toilets
- No known public toilets along the way. Use the ones at Gløshaugen before you set off.
- Accessibility
- Nidelvstien is a flat gravel path. The last part follows a quiet road with a little climbing. Do not swim in the river, as the current is strong.