The Lussileden Trail and the Pilgrimsleden Trail form part of the medieval pilgrimage route known as Romboleden, Sweden’s longest pilgrimage trail. This historic path stretches from Köping in Västmanland all the way to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, where Norway’s patron saint, Saint Olav, is buried.

It’s easy to be captivated by this trail, and each person experiences it in their own way. Some skiers delight in the breathtaking views, with vistas stretching in every direction. Others feel a deeper resonance, touched by the history of this path, where, as far as we know, pilgrims have been struggling across the open mountain landscape since the 11th century, journeying toward their distant goal in Trondheim. There is something timeless and harmonious about the challenge of a pilgrimage, as one battles the forces of nature and perhaps one’s own inner voices and doubts. There’s also a parallel in the physical challenge: pushing the body to its limits, resisting the impulse to turn back, and pressing on to take in the views from Fruhågna and Lussifjäll.

It’s quite possible that Lofsdalen, historically recorded as “Lapsadal,” once served a role related to the pilgrimage route. Unfortunately, little is known for certain.

There is much more to tell about this remarkable trail, which continues to fascinate and touch many. The Lussileden Trail ends at the Fruhågna and Lussifjäll mountains. Fruhågna, which resembles a cake or mound, is easily visible from a distance. In clear weather, it stands out as viewed from Solgropen and the Upper Strådalsleden Trail.

Lussifjäll, translating to “Lussi’s Mountain,” lies south of Fruhågna, which translates to “Our Lady’s Mountain.” The Pilgrimsleden Trail runs between these two peaks. For further historical insights, we refer to Project Runeberg, which offers digitized older Swedish literature.

Legend tells of a noble lady who once passed this way on pilgrimage to Saint Olav in Trondheim, Norway. Upon reaching the mountain, she declared: “Before, you were merely a mound called Städjeklimp, but now you shall be named Fruhågna.” As noted, the pilgrimage route here passes between Fruhågna and Lussifjäll, names that are undoubtedly connected. In Nordic folklore, Lussi, or Lusse, is a mysterious female figure often seen as the matriarch of the underworld. She is said to have claimed one of these mountains as her own, flanked by “Our Lady” (Swedish: vår fru), the Virgin Mary. Symbolically, the trail seems to lead between light and darkness, good and evil.