Åre - Trondheim
- 10 days, group tour with guide -
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. On this trip, we hike a section of the medieval pilgrim path through sparsely populated areas, walking mostly through pristine Scandinavian landscapes along roads that have existed
for over a thousand years. Pilgrimage is a shared experience–meals, stories, and accommodations are enjoyed together, creating a true sense of community.
In a small group of 8–12 participants with a guide, we cover approximately 170 kilometers from Åre/Skalstugan to Trondheim. The journey passes Stiklestad, a key site in the Olav saga, where we watch the annual Olav Drama, and continues along a scenic fjord to Trondheim, where participants receive their well-earned Olav Letter.
01. 22 July: Travel day – Overnight in Åre
By train or bus we arrive in Åre–a lively ski resort in winter and a paradise for nature lovers and hikers in summer. You can take the cable car 1,274 meters above sea level for panoramic views of Jämtland’s mountains, or visit the old Åre church to see a historic statue of St. Olav. After dinner at a local restaurant, we stay at a B&B on the edge of the village center.
02. 23 July: Skalstugan – Sul (ca. 20 km)
A taxi brings us to the trailhead for a stunning mountain crossing between Sweden and Norway. The border marks the highest point. Although there are some uphill and downhill sections, no climbing is required. In Sul, we stay in a newly renovated shared cabin and share a meal together.
03. 24 July: Sul – Vuku (ca. 32/25 km)
Today’s walk is long and varied, through valleys, forests, rivers, and streams over gravel, forest paths, and asphalt. A short taxi transfer skips about 7 km of asphalt. We stay at a creative center in Vuku, dedicated to workshops, meditation, and woodworking, where we share an evening meal.
04. 25 July: Vuku – Stiklestad (ca. 13 km)
A short, gentle hike through green hills brings us to Stiklestad, where Olav Haraldsson died in 1030. The site features an open-air museum, a pilgrim center, and the church with the stone on which Olav is said to have rested his head. We watch the annual St. Olav Drama and enjoy a shared meal before returning by taxi to Vuku for the night.
05. 26 July: Stiklestad – Levanger (ca. 24 km)
After breakfast, a taxi returns us to Stiklestad to continue the pilgrimage. The route is relatively easy, passing the town of Verdal and the monastery ruins at Munkeby, before reaching Levanger–a historic wooden town of 10,000–where we stay and dine at a local hotel.
06. 27 July: Levanger – Ekne (ca. 17 km)
We hike through an arboretum and follow the road to the coast. Accommodation is at an impressive WWII memorial site with hotel and restaurant facilities.
07. 28 July: Ekne – Hellberg (ca. 15 km)
Today’s trip is short but tough: mainly on asphalt roads. The water of the Trondheim fjord is however never far away. We are now on the peninsula of Frosta, which is sometimes nicknamed “Trondheim’s kitchen garden” due to many farms with production of vegetables, as well as a good microclimate.
08. 29 July: Hellberg – Tautra (ca. 23 km)
A scenic hike through forests, hills, and fields with the fjord on our right, ending with a 2-kilometer crossing to Tautra Island. The island is home to the medieval monastery ruins and the 2003 Tautra Mariakloster nunnery. We stay at a cozy inn with a brewery, restaurant, and stunning fjord views.
09. 30 July: Tautra – Trondheim (boat/bus + hike)
We travel by boat or bus to Trondheim and walk the final kilometers to Nidaros Cathedral, the pilgrimage endpoint, where pilgrims can enter for free and receive the Olav Letter. In the evening, we enjoy a final group dinner and can explore the Olav Festival. Overnight at a hotel near the cathedral.
10. 31 July: Travel day
After breakfast, the journey ends. Take the Flybus or train to the airport, travel south to Oslo, or extend your stay in Trondheim.
Your guide
Henriëtte van der Noord (1961) spent many years as a special education teacher, but her true passion lies in walking, exploring, and guiding others. She is a seasoned pilgrim, certified tour and city guide who brings both experience and heart to every journey.
After hiking much of S:t Olavsleden in 2018, Henriëtte felt called to follow her own path, turning her love for the outdoors and history into a life guiding others. She is skilled at leading groups, sharing stories of Norwegian culture and history, and creating memorable experiences in nature. Dutch by birth, Henriëtte speaks English, German, and Norwegian, allowing her to connect with travelers from all over the world.
Summary
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Guided Group Tour, 8-12 people + 1 guide
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22 – 31 July 2026 (10 days)
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Start in a picturesque mountain village in Sweden
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Cross the mountains into Norway, the most spectacular hike of the whole trail
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Experience the annual St. Olav Play in Stiklestad
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Follow the fjord towards Trondheim and the Nidaros Cathedral, where the Olav Festival takes place
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€ 2.090 per person (shared room)
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€ 2.370 per person (single room on the 4 nights where this is possible)
