St. Olavsleden9 days(self-guided)

You can choose between a hotel in Sundsvall or a B&B in Selånger – near the start of the route.

From Sundsvall is only a few kilometers by bus to Selånger. Here, the real journey begins at the church ruins of Selånger, where Olav Haraldsson stepped ashore and began his journey to Norway a thousand years ago. You can take a tour on the grounds before you take your first steps towards Trondheim. The hike passes through agricultural area and is quite easy.

A lovely, albeit monotonous walk the shores of beautiful Lake Stöde, where there are enough beaches and secluded spots to catch your breath.

On day three a relatively easy walk through green fields and along streams to Torpshammar, the geographical centre of Sweden.

From Torpshammar is a fairly easy and pleasant stroll towards Fränsta. The impressive church of Fränsta, situated along the water, has a statue of St. Olav from the thirteenth century.

Through quiet country lanes you pilgrimage continues to Borgsjö, a well-known place in the St. Olav legends: it is here that Olav created a spring by hitting the ground with his staff. His thirsty men and horses were probably very thankful.

On day six, the walk continues along forest paths and meadows, slowly going uphill. The hike is relatively heavy, but very rewarding. You stay in a simple ‘stuga’ in the middle of the forest – without electricity or streaming water.

The journey continues, over narrow forest roads and through small villages, in the direction of Bräcke, the largest and most important town in the region. Bräcke grew enormously in the late 19th century, with the arrival of the railway. The centre of the village has a kind of Wild West atmosphere, with wooden houses and porches.

It is just a five-minute walk from the accommodation to the train station, which has a connection to Stockholm.