Depending on the route from Munkeby, S:t Olavsleden takes 29 or 30 days, of which you walk 27 or 28. The average distance is 21 kilometers per day. Experienced hikers may choose to combine some of the shorter stages.

Accommodation Most meals (depending on accommodation) Transfer Tautra-Trondheim (Outer Route) Bed linen Assistance via app (if needed) STO Garant financial protection Booking service

Luggage transfer Flights and train tickets (we can advise you on travel options) Travel insurance

Luggage transfer is available but quite expensive: around 40 euro per transfer – in the mountains even 60 euro. Costs can often be shared by two or more pilgrims traveling together. Ask us for details.

This trip is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. Conditions are available at www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads.

Every trip is tailor-made. You will receive a personal itinerary and offer. Contact us for details: 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.Price 2027: coming soon!Plus € 13 for STO Guarantee

Selånger - Trondheim
- 29 or 30 days, self-guided -

OVERVIEW

The St. Olav Path, or S:t Olavsleden, is the world’s northernmost pilgrim path, stretching 580 km from Selånger in Sweden to Trondheim in Norway. The trail leads over mountains, through deep forests and along lakes, passing historic sites connected to the legacy of St. Olav. It is often called Scandinavia’s answer to the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

This is the full St. Olav Path: 580 km through forests, along lakes and across mountains, ending at the Trondheim fjord. Walking the entire route creates a true pilgrim rhythm: walking, eating, resting – living in the moment. You’ll enjoy beautiful nature, meaningful encounters and the challenge of pushing your limits.

01. Travel day – Overnight in Selånger or Sundsvall

Welcome in Sweden! You can choose a hotel in Sundsvall or a B&B in Selånger near the official starting point of the trail. Sundsvall is a friendly city, with an almost Mediterranean vibe, to spend some quality hours.

02. Selånger – Matfors (approx. 20 km)

The route starts at the ruins of Selånger Church, where Olav Haraldsson began his journey to Norway. Visit the pilgrim center before you start your hike through rolling farmlands.

03. Matfors – Stöde (approx. 24 km)

On your third day you walk mostly along Lake Stöde with quiet spots to rest or swim. A bit monotonous, perhaps. But your cozy accommodation for tonight makes up for that.

04. Stöde – Viskan (approx. 17 km)

Today is easy walking through green countryside, over gravel and asphalt, towards the geographical centre of Sweden.

05. Viskan – Fränsta (approx. 17 km)

From Viskan you pass through Torpshammar - the actual center of Sweden - towards the village of Fränsta, with its beautiful church, home to a 13th-century statue of St. Olav.

06. Fränsta – Borgsjö (approx. 13 km)

It is a relatively short walk from Fränsta to Borgsjö – known for the legend of St. Olav’s spring and its beautiful church. This gives you time to actually visit these spots before you eat your dinner and head to bed.

07. Borgsjö – Lombäcken (approx. 17 km)

Forest paths and gradual climbs bring you to a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere. There is no electricity or running water - but water and food will be facilitated.

08. Lombäcken – Bräcke (approx. 26 km)

You start with a hike through fields where the grass can be pretty long – bring some dry socks with you! You continue through woods and villages to Bräcke, a former railway town with a Wild West feel.

09. Bräcke – Gällö/Revsund (approx. 25 km)

Along Lake Revsund, where Olav is said to have split a stone with his boat. A tough stage, especially the last couple of kilometres towards Gällö.

10. Gällö – Pilgrimstad (approx. 20 km)

A favourite hike of many, along the shores of Andviksjon, through pretty dense forest. Today you can visit Revsund Church and Hålbergs cave. In Pilgrimstad you can drink from another St. Olav spring.

11. Pilgrimstad – Brunflo (approx. 25 km)

A long but pleasant walk to Brunflo, at the start of Lake Storsjön. You mostly follow gravel roads, sometimes crossing the E14 car road. In Brunflo you pass a beautiful church, dating back to 1775.

12. Brunflo – Östersund (approx. 15 km)

Today is a short and relatively easy day, which gives you time to visit Östersund. This city is a great place for a rest day and home to the excellent Jamtli Museum.

→ Please note: it is possible to split the next hike

You can split this day in two: Östersund – Frösön (approx. 12 km) and Frösön – Rödön (approx. 11 km). This adds one day to your itinerary.

13. Östersund – Rödön (approx. 23 km)

From Östersund you pass a bridge to Frösön island, passing Sweden’s northernmost rune stone. The Frösö church is really worth a visit – as is the new pilgrim centre at the other side of the road. You follow the road, crossing the brigde to Rödön peninsula.

14. Rödön – Vaplan (approx. 22 km)

A moderately tough day, past farms, hills and St. Olav’s spring at Vikeränget. Sometimes you have incredible views of the mountains.

15. Vaplan – Alsen (approx. 19 km)

Today is relatively easy walking with mountain views on your left hand side. It is mostly asphalt and some nature trails. At the end of the day you pass prehistoric rock carvings at Glösa, where there is also a small open-air museum.

→ Please note: it is possible to split the next hike

It is possible to split this walk into two parts: one of approx. 10 km and one of approx. 15 km. This adds one day to your itinerary.

16. Alsen – Mörsil (approx. 25 km)

A long, demanding day through dense forest and hills with rewarding lake views. There is some ascending and descending involved – but you never really have to climb.

17. Mörsil – Hålland (approx. 20 km)

You follow the Indalsälven River through a valley with views of the Åre mountains. In Hålland you stay at a place that has a model of a Norwegian stave church in the backyard!

18. Hålland – Åre (approx. 21 km)

Today you pass the beautiful Ristafallet waterfall, famous from many films and TV series. At the end of the day you arrive in Åre, Sweden’s ski capital, via forests, meadows and the ‘troll path’.

19. Åre – Tännforsen (approx. 23 km)

Today you walk past Duved, with its impressive church and the Carolean monument into wilderness towards Tännforsen, Sweden’s largest waterfall. Today is a tough day mostly because the amount of asphalt.

20. Tännforsen – Medstugan (approx. 24 km)

Again quite some asphalt, but the beautiful views make up for a lot of that. Past historic stone bridges from the 19th century.

→ Please note: it is possible to split the next hike

The hike from Medstugan to Sul is one of the longest of the whole trail. Because you are crossing the highest point as well, so there is some ascending and descending involved. We therefore recommend splitting this day into two hikes: one of approx. 10 km and one of approx. 22 km. This includes a transfer by car. Ask us about the options. This adds a day to your itinerary.

21. Medstugan – Sul (approx. 32 km)

Today you cross the mountains into Norway. The landscape changes dramatically as soon as you cross the border. This is a long but scenic stage – but there are options to shorten this stage.

22. Sul – Vuku (approx. 32 km)

Again a pretty long hike! In the middle there is a strenuous part along a car road. The start and end of this day are quite beautiful. Through valley and pine forests into open farmland – a long and demanding hike.

23. Vuku – Stiklestad (approx. 12 km)

Today is a relatively short and easy hike to historic Stiklestad, where Olav Haraldsson fell in battle in 1030. If you have time and energy, you can visit the open-air museum and Olav church.

24. Stiklestad – Munkeby (approx. 22 km)

A relatively easy walk for your first day, towards Munkeby pilgrim cabin near medieval monastery ruins – and monastery cheese!

→ ALTERNATIVE 1: INNER ROUTE

25. Munkeby – Markabygda (approx. 22 km)

Today is mostly along mixed terrain on forest tracks and wetlands along Lake Tomsvattnet, with wide mountain views. We recommend following the bike route when it is raining, because the road can be muddy.

26. Markabygda – Borås (approx. 25 km)

You follow dirt roads through quiet marka countryside, passing Lake Ausetvatnet to a farm hostel in Borås. A hike mostly over gravel roads, through forests and along lakes.

27. Borås – Ersgard (approx. 21 km)

Via Vollhaugen you walk to historic Stjørdal and its church. With bad weather we recommend skipping climbing Kokåsen, but follow the bike route. Overnight at a scenic farm with river swimming.

28. Ersgard – Hommelvik (approx. 14 km)

Today is an easy coastal stage on mostly asphalt via Lånke Church and the village of Hell – yes, really! – further along the Malvik Trail to Hommelvik.

29. Hommelvik – Trondheim (approx. 24 km)

On this last day you follow the fjord via Vikhammer, Ranheim Church and the Ladestien coastal path to Nidaros Cathedral – your journey’s end point.

30. Travel day

Extra nights in Trondheim are optional.

→ ALTERNATIVE 2: OUTER ROUTE

25. Munkeby – Skogn (approx. 21 km)

A really nice walk along nature trails to Levanger and its arboretum and onwardds to the Trondheim fjord.

26. Skogn – Hellberg (approx. 25 km)

Today is a pretty tough day, because it is mostly on asphalt. There are however many places to stop for a picknick or enjoy the view over the fjord. You pass the Falstadsenteret, a war museum, and Ekne Church on your way to the fertile Frosta peninsula.

27. Hellberg – Tautra (approx. 23 km)

An incredibly beautiful route with constant sea views, ending by crossing the bridge to Tautra and its monastery ruins. Perhaps one of the high points of the the S:t Olavsleden.

28. Tautra – Trondheim (boat/train + approx. 2 km)

On this last day you take the boat or bus to Trondheim. From the harbour it is a short walk to Nidaros Cathedral, end-point of your pilgrimage.

29. Travel day

Extra nights in Trondheim are optional.

Optional

You can divide these days into two walks:

Pilgrimstad - Brunflo (ca. 25 km) into Pilgrimstad - Hållsta (ca. 9 km) and Hållsta - Brunflo (ca. 16 km)
Östersund - Rödön (ca. 23 km) into Östersund - Frösön (ca. 10 km) and Frösön - Rödön (ca. 13 km).
Alsen - Mörsil (ca. 25 km) into Alsen - Kluk (ca. 10 km) and Kluk - Mörsil (ca. 15 km)
Medstugan - Sul (ca. 35 km) into Medstugan - Skalstugan (ca. 10 km) and Skalstugan - Sul (ca. 25). This includes a car transfer.

The route is long and requires good fitness. There is not a lot of steep climbing involved (see FAQ) and the terrain is generally manageable, but hiking day after day for a month can be demanding. Some days are long, and weather conditions can make the walk more challenging. Many hikers choose to split the route over several years, completing a section each time. You walk on a variety of surfaces: nature trails, gravel paths and asphalt roads. Approximate ratio: 45% gravel 36% asphalt 19% nature trails To walk the full route, you should be in good physical condition. We recommend well-worn hiking boots, a comfortable backpack and walking poles. Planning the full journey takes time, so start early and feel free to contact us with questions.

You stay in pilgrim accommodations ranging from simple to comfortable: cabins, family-run guesthouses, B&Bs, small hotels and private homes. Bed linen is included, so there is no need to bring a sleeping bag. In some locations you can choose between different accommodation types, which may affect the price. There are about two places along the route where you may need to share accommodation with other pilgrims.

Most meals are included. The exact meal plan may vary per accommodation and itinerary. Additional meals can often be purchased along the way. Gluten-free or vegetarian meals are possible (may cost extra). Vegan meals are available in some places, but might be challenging for other accommodations - but we can help with menu options. If meals are not available, either a restaurant is nearby or a kitchen is available for self-catering.

Summary

Self-guided hike along the St. Olav Path, from Selånger (Sweden) to Trondheim (Norway)
Available from May to September
30 days or 29 days, of which you walk 28 or 27, with an average of 21 kilometers per day.
Price: coming soon!