Crossing idyllic isles and rural areas, with views on the Swedish mountains.
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
This trip starts in Östersund, the capital of the Swedish province of Jämtland. From there, the route crosses the idyllic islands Frösön and Rödön – with stunning views of the mountains – and continues towards the ski village of Åre.
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 Östersund
Östersund is the capital of the Swedish province of Jämtland and has one of the best attractions of Sweden: the huge open-air museum Jamtli (Swedish Museum of the Year in 2013).
Östersund is easy to reach by train or plane.
02. Östersund – Rödön (approx. 20 km)
The first part of the walk crosses the island Frösön. You pass the northernmost rune stone in Sweden and the beautiful Frösö church. The route continues along the shoreline of Storsjön towards the peninsula Rödön.
03. Rödön – Vaplan (approx. 25 km)
The landscape on Rödön consists of farmland and green hills, with picturesque churches and small villages. Today you pass the St. Olavs spring of Vikeränget, where you can have a refreshing drink of “holy” water.
04. Vaplan – Alsen (approx. 20 km)
From Vaplan it is a pleasant, easy walk towards Alsen, with stunning mountain views. Along the way you can admire the five thousand-year-old rock carvings of Glösa and a reconstruction of huts of moose hunters who lived here long ago.
05. Alsen – Mörsil (approx. 28 km)
Today’s walk is a long and heavy one! You walk trough dense forest, have to do some hill climbing, with asphalt in-between The views of the mountains and dark, deep lakes are breathtaking.
06. Mörsil – Hålland (approx. 20 km)
The road to Hålland is relatively easy, but long. It follows the river Indalsälven, with Ristafallet, a beautiful waterfall with great rapids and views.
07. Hålland – Åre (approx. 20 km)
The route to Åre is spectacular: the tops of Åre ‘s popular ski slopes are slowly getting closer, dominating the landscape. Through forests, meadows and along a ‘troll path’, you arrive in the bustling ski village, where you can take a cable car during the season, which climbs to the highest peaks of Åre.
08. Travel day
You can travel back from Åre by taking the train – to Östersund (where there is a airport), Stockholm or Trondheim.
8 days, of which you walk 6. The average is 22 kilometers per day.
May-September
Moderate, which means that for a trained walker the route is fairly easy to do. There is no climbing involved, although the there are some height differences when approaching Åre. 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.
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.
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: around € 35 per drive. 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 entire trip we can give after we have made a personal itinerary for your trip. The prices below are an estimate.
- € 745 (one person, single room)
- € 1.280 (two persons, double room)
- + € 13 for STO Guarantee
Summary
Self-guided hike along St. Olavsleden, from Östersund to Åre
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Available from May to September
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8 days of which you walk 6 days, an average of 22 kilometers per day.
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€ 745 (one person, single room)
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€ 1.280 (two persons, double room)