St. Olavsleden, the St. Olav Path
St. Olavsleden is the world’s northernmost pilgrim’s way: from Selånger (Sweden) to Trondheim (Norway). The 580 km-long trail leads over mountains and through forests, along lakes and historical sites. St. Olavsleden is the Scandinavian answer to El Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the famous pilgrimage to Spain.
Program
From Åre the route passes the largest waterfall in Sweden and continues towards the Swedish-Norwegian border, amidst the mountains. After crossing the border, it goes downhill quickly, and it’s great to take it slow in the Norwegian valleys and fjords. Endpoint is Stiklestad where Olav was killed.
The schedule that you see below is just a suggestion. You can plan in resting days or combine stages. Ask us for the possibilities.
01. Travel day. Overnight stay in Åre
You can choose between several different accommodations – depending on when you travel.
02. Åre – Tännforsen (approx. 23 km)
On your way to Tännforsen you pass Duved, where you can buy some provisions. Because after Duved the actual wilderness begins. You leave behind the last bit of civilization and head for the mighty Tännforsen, Sweden’s largest waterfall.
03. Tännforsen – Medstugan (approx. 24 km)
On the road from Tännforsen to Medstugan you pass a number of restored stone bridges that were built in the 19th century after the Treaty of Kiel.
Quite a lot of asphalt this day!
04. Medstugan – Sul (approx. 35 km)
You’ve seen them for many days in the distance, and today you finally cross them: the mountains between Sweden and Norway. After crossing the border, the landscape changes immediately: past spectacular rock walls you walk to the deep, dark valley of Sul. Because there is no accommodation available in the mountains, the walk is quite long. But don’t worry: you can be picked up by car if it gets too much!
05. Sul – Vuku (approx. 30 km)
Today’s tour goes through a narrow valley to a more open landscape with pine forests and distant views. After a long hike through the mountains – yesterday – many people experience this stage as quite tough.
06. Vuku – Stiklestad (approx. 13 km)
After a lovely, relatively short walk through green hills, you arrive in Stiklestad, where Olav Haraldsson was killed in battle on July 29 1030. Nowadays Stiklestad has an open-air museum, a pilgrim centre and a church, containing the stone on which Olav laid his head when he died – or so the story goes.
07. Travel day
From Stiklestad it is approx. 4 kilometers to Verdal station, from where the train to Trondheim leaves.
7 days, of which you walk 5. The average is 25 kilometers per day.
June-September. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – the weather in the mountains can change quickly.
The toughest, but perhaps also prettiest part of the whole St. Olavsleden. You cross the a rugged area, with beautiful mountain views, where the weather can change quickly. There are a couple of days that are quite long. These can be shortened by taking a car ride. There are also longer stretches of asphalt – something to keep in mind when choosing which shoes to bring. We recommend that you bring good hiking equipment – broken-in hiking boots, a comfortable backpack and possibly walking sticks.
You walk on nature trails, through forests, on unpaved and asphalt. The ratio of the complete St. Olav Path is approximately: 45% gravel, 36% asphalt, 19% nature trails.
You spend the nights in pilgrim accommodations, ranging from simple to comfortable. Cabins, at home with locals, B&B’s, hotels and everything in-between. It is not necessary to bring bed linen – although it can save you some money if you do.
In certain places you can choose between different accommodations – which can also change the price.
Depending on which accommodations you choose, there are approximately 2 places along the route where you may have to share accommodation with other pilgrims.
Most meals are included, but not all. This depends on which accommodation you choose at a specific location. We are happy to go through the itinerary with you, so that you know exactly which meals are included where.
If no meals are available, there are restaurants nearby or a kitchen is available at the accommodation. Ask us for details.
Accommodation, most meals (as mentioned above), bed linen, assistance via app (if needed), STO Guarantee and booking.
Luggage transfer, plane- and train tickets. You will of course be helped to find the trip that suits you best.
Luggage transfer is possible along this route, but it is quite costly – especially here, in the mountains. Ask us for details.
This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).
Contact us for more information: info@nordicpilgrim.com or +31 6 12834782.
The exact price for this trip we can give after we have made a personal itinerary. The prices below are an estimate.
- € 830 (one person, single room where available)
- € 1.410 (two persons, double room where available)
- + € 13 for STO Guarantee
Summary
Self-guided hike along St. Olavsleden, from Åre (Sweden) to Stiklestad (Norway)
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Available from June to September
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7 days of which you walk 5 days, an average of 25 kilometers per day.
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€ 830 (one person, single room where available)
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€ 1.410 (two persons, double room where available)
