St Olavsleden

In short: St Olavsleden: from Selånger to Trondheim. Length: around 580 km, duration: about 4 weeks. Best time: June to September.

Overview

St Olavsleden starts in Selånger near Sundsvall on Sweden's Baltic coast and crosses Scandinavia to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Olav is said to have taken this route on his last journey to Norway, hence the name.

The route runs through forests, along lakes and over the mountains near Åre. You often walk through woodland for hours and meet only a few people.

The weather changes quickly, and mosquitoes are an issue in high summer. You will meet fewer pilgrims than on the main Norwegian route, but the stages are easy to plan around hostels and campsites.

Main stops: Selånger, Sundsvall, Åre, Stiklestad, Trondheim.

From the Baltic to Nidaros Cathedral

This is the east-west route to Trondheim. In Sweden you walk mostly through forest. After Åre comes the border with Norway, and soon you reach Stiklestad, the place where Olav fell in 1030.

Accommodation and supplies

In Sweden the right of public access allows you to camp in the countryside, which makes long sections easier. Take mosquito repellent with you. Many places to stay open only in summer, so check this when you plan.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 580 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

With some hiking experience this route is very manageable. Expect climbs and keep your days from getting too long.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 90 to 120 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 33 days that comes to roughly 2,950 to 3,950 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.