St. Olavsleden7 or 8 days(self-guided)

Stiklestad is the place 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.

The route between Stiklestad and Munkeby is relatively easy. Along the way you pass the town of Verdal – the first bit of civilization in days. In Munkeby you stay at a pilgrim’s cabin, near the ruins of a medieval monastery. Not far away is a modern monastery, where you can buy cheese from the monks.

The walk is a bit rough, partly on unpaved roads and through wetlands. The path follows Lake Tomsvattnet along some old summer farms. There is a lookout with panoramic views of the mountains Haråhaugan and Vinkjerran.

Today’s trip is mainly on dirt roads through the ‘marka’, a Norwegian expression for nature areas between villages. You pass Lake Ausetvatnet. In the afternoon you reach a farm turned hostel in Boras.

You continue via Vollhaugen to Stjørdal, passing several historic sites. The church of Stjørdal is located near St. Olavsleden and has a great history. The tour ends at the beautiful farm Ersgard. Here you can take a dip in the river.

The trail along the coast runs along a road with cultivated and sparsely populated areas. Even though it is mostly asphalt, you have a view to the coast and sea all the time. The first part after passing Lånke Church is the little area called “Hell” – but don’t that name scare you. The trail continues to the little villages near the sea called Muruvika and then along “The Malvik Trail” to the village of Hommelvik.

From Hommelvik, the hike continues to Vikhammer, past Ranheim church and a unique opportunity for a view of the fjord at Grilstad . The walk then goes on the beautiful prepared hiking path (Ladestien) by the fjord until Lade, where the Ringve Museum and Botanical Garden should be visited. Here the walk then passes several churches, before finally reaching Nidaros Cathedral and the zero stone which shows that the goal of the pilgrimage has been reached.

You can book extra nights in Trondheim if you want.

From Munkeby you follow the road to Levanger, one of the bigger towns in the region, with a population of 10.000. From there you go to the Levanger arboretum and follow the road to the coast. Overnight stay in a hotel that is part of an impressive museum.

Today’s trip is tough: mainly on asphalt roads – although there is alternative route, that is not signposted, that follows the coast. The water of the Trondheim fjord is however never far away. Past the Falstadsenteret (war museum) and the Ekne church, to Hellberg. You are now on the peninsula of Frosta, a region with a rich cultural history witnessing the central position held by Frosta throughout the centuries. Frosta is sometimes nicknamed “Trondheim’s kitchen garden” due to many farms with production of vegetables, as well as a good microclimate.

A beautiful hike through forest, over hills and across fields – all the time with the sea on your right hand side. The last bit crosses the 2-kilometer long bridge between Frosta and the island of Tautra, famous for its Monastery ruins. In 2003 Tautra Mariakloster, a new Cistercian nunnery, was founded on the island.

The last day is a day you take the boat from Tautra to Trondheim, which takes about one hour. The boat only goes in the months June, July and August, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.
From the small harbor it is just a 2-kilometer walk to the Nidaros Cathedral – end point of the St. Olav pilgrimage.

Note: the boat to Trondheim only goes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from June until August. On other days we can arrange a car and train transfer to Trondheim.

You can book extra nights in Trondheim if you want.