Sundsvall
Sundsvall is the seat of Sundsvall Municipality in Västernorrland County, Sweden. It has a population of approximately 58,000 and is Sweden’s 21st largest city by population. The city has an almost Mediterranean atmosphere, with its location by the sea and its architecture. After a devastating fire in 1888 – the worst in Swedish history – the city was completely rebuilt in stone, after which Sundsvall was nicknamed Stenstaden (the Stone Town). Lining the broad avenues and beautiful squares of Sundsvall, some 600 buildings were completed in as little as six years, mirroring the continental stone-based architecture found in cities such as Vienna and Berlin. There is a lot to see and do in Sundsvall. For information and updates, visit the gorgeous tourist information on Stora Torget (the Big Square) in the city centre.
You can walk/bike from Sundsvall to the start of St. Olavsleden in Selånger. There are signs that you can follow. You can also take the bus from the bus station in the city centre. Take bus number 1 and get at at Selångergården. From there it is just a short walk to the Selånger pilgrim centre and church ruin.
- The flight from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Sundsvall takes less than an hour. SAS and Bra Flyg both operate flights to Sundsvall.
- There are regular bus and train connections from many popular destinations, including Stockholm and Arlanda Airport (3-4 hours).
- The major roads leading to Sundsvall are E14 and E4.
Östersund
Östersund is the capital of the Jämtland county in the middle of Sweden. Östersund is located at the shores of Sweden’s fifth largest lake, Storsjön, opposite the island Frösön. The city has a campus site with approximately 7000 students. With a total population of approximately 50,000 Östersund is the 22nd most populous city in Sweden.
Östersund is a real winter city, with lots of sport activities from December to April, like cross country skiing. But Östersund also shines during the summer months, when the people stroll along the shores of the lake, go sailing and visit one of Sweden’s biggest music festivals: Yran. More information can be obtained at the local tourist office in the city centre.
Storsjöodjuret (the Great lake monster) is said to inhabit lake Storsjön. This creature has often been used as a symbol for Östersund: you can see an abstract version of in and around the city. There is even a museum, in the town of Svenstavik.
- SAS flies between Arlanda and Östersund, with connections to the rest of Sweden. There is a fly buss connecting the airport to the city (including the train station)
- Trains operate between Östersund, the rest of Sweden (including Stockholm, Sundsvall and Åre) and Trondheim, and has a large number of daily departures.
- By car: Östersund is conveniently located just off the E14 and the E45.
Åre
Åre, with a population of approximately 3,000, is the largest mountain and alpine sports resort in Sweden and has hosted three world championships and over 100 World Cup competitions. Sinds the Middle Ages Åre has been an important passage way for pilgrims on their way to Trondheim. Many of the pilgrim stopped at the beautiful Old Church, which was erected in the 12th century.
Tourism is very important for Åre. This has resulted in the development of hotels, recreational and shopping opportunities in the area. Åre has since the 1990s become the largest mountainbike resort in Sweden. There are numerous graded downhill cycling trails.
- There are two airports within two hours transfer from Åre. To the east, Åre Östersund Airport, with domestic flights from Stockholm and other Swedish airports as well as international flights. The transfer time from Åre Östersund Airport is approx. one hour. To the west, in Norway, Trondheim Airport Værnes with several daily international and domestic flights. The transfer time from Trondheim Airport Vaernes is approx. two hours.
- Several bus- and train companies offer direct connections to Åre from Sweden’s larger cities and Trondheim in Norway.
- The E14 stretches from Stjørdal, just north of Trondheim in Norway, to Sundsvall at the east coast of Sweden. On its way it passes through the main villages of Åre municipality.
Stiklestad
Stiklestad is a village and parish in the municipality of Verdal in Trøndelag county, Norway. It is located 5 kilometres east of the town of Verdalsøra. The village is mainly known as the site of the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030.
In 1995 a Parliamentary decree established Stiklestad National Culture Centre (Stiklestad Nasjonale Kultursenter) at Stiklestad to promote the story and heritage of Saint Olav, including the annual Saint Olav Drama.
There are countless things to see and do – you could easily spend one or two days there – and the place is beautifully situated. The Stiklestad church was built at the end of the 12th century. According to tradition, the church is built so that the altar is located above the place where Olav fell during the battle on July 29, 1030. The church even houses the so-called Olavssteinen, which is said to be the stone that Olav leaned against at the time of death.
Stiklestadir is the name of a medieval farm with an impressive longhouse – an assembly hall from Viking times. There is also open air museum with buildings and objects that show life in the 17th and 19th century.
- Trondheim Airport Værnes is a one-hour-drive from Stiklestad. By train the trip takes about 1,5-2 hours. The train stops in Verdal, where you can take a taxi or walk to Stiklestad (approximately 5 kilometers).
- There are daily trains running from Trondheim Airport Værnes and Trondheim city to the nearby town of Verdal. From Verdal it’s about 5 kilometres to Stiklestad. You can walk the distance of take a taxi.
- Stiklestad is just a few kilometers from route 72, from Sweden to Trondheim. There are many parking facilities.
Trondheim
With its 198,219 inhabitants Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city. The city is dominated by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology with its more than 25,000 students. Trondheim is located on the Trondheim fjord. The city has had several names: after it was initially called Kaupangen, the city has long been called Nidaros, which means ‘Mouth of the river Nid’. In the late Middle Ages the name was changed to Trondheim.
The most famous building in Trondheim is the Nidaros Cathedral, dedicated to St. Olav. The cathedral, the second largest church of Northern Europe, is a national shrine and the traditional coronation place for Norway’s kings.
Even if the size is modest, there’s a lot going on in Trondheim. Music, arts, culture, alternative politics, nightlife, student life… all combines into making Trondheim one of the most exciting cities of Northern Europe. Check out the latest info at one the several tourist offices.
- Trondheim Airport Værnes serves international and national flights. Fly busses connect the airport to the city. Journey time is 30-60 min depending on destination.
- Taking the train is a lovely way to see the spectacular landscape covering a distance of 548 kilometres with a 7-hour journey on the Dovre train line. Trains depart 4 times a day from the Oslo Central Station. The bus is also an option and takes around 8 or 9 hours.
- Oslo to Trondheim is a distance of 470 kilometres and takes around 6 and a half hours without stopping.
