Many people associate Östersund and Frösön with beautiful nature and sweet music. We asked Sebastian Peterson, who works in a bicycle shop in the city and is a passionate cyclist, to tell us about the experiences that await if you cycle in the area. It turned out that it is about everything from gravel cycling on historic pilgrimage routes to pleasant excursions in the vicinity of the city with a view of the waters of Lake Storsjön. Both summer and winter.
What makes Östersund a special place to discover by bike?
Discovering Östersund by bike is special thanks to the constant presence of Lake Storsjön and the view that often awaits after the next crest. The Östersund area offers many great excursion destinations and the route is often varied with nature, culture and opportunities for recreation. There is a wide range of cycling options, whether you're looking for flowing trails, messy downhill cycling or beautiful gravel and road routes. Then what is extra special for Östersund is the opportunity to make a quiet cycling excursion of only a few kilometers but still get to enjoy the mountain views, nature and Storsjön. After this, you can calmly roll into town and enjoy Östersund's range of food, drink and entertainment.
St. Olavsleden is known as the northernmost pilgrimage route in the world. Can you tell us more about the history behind it?
Cycling along the St. Olavsleden in Sweden and Norway is one of the most beautiful pilgrimage experiences Europe has to offer. In addition to magnificent scenery, you'll experience the traces of a thousand-year-old history. The trail follows the route taken by Olav Haraldsson in 1030, when he walked towards Norway to reclaim the Norwegian crown. The journey ended with his death and a canonization, making the trail one of the great pilgrimage destinations of the Middle Ages.
Surely it has a lot to offer even for cyclists, especially if you like gravel and long-distance cycling?
The route is a total of about 580 kilometers through Sweden and Norway. About half is gravel road, then it is part asphalt and a smaller part path. Accommodation along the trail is often small and personal, so book in advance. For those who want, there are ready-made packages, plenty of tips and inspiring stories from pilgrims and cyclists from all over the world to discover on the St. Olav Trail website.
If you had to choose a favorite place or tour not to be missed when visiting Östersund, what would it be?
A bike ride from Badhusparken to Frösö Church is a great tour for those who want to experience a lot but not spend too long in the saddle. From Badhusparken you follow Lake Storsjön and get to see Östersund from Frösö's perspective. The hills of Frösön make themselves felt in parts, but if you pedal on, you will be rewarded with a postcard view at the beautiful Frösö church. It is worth every uphill.
This is the home of the famous composer Wilhelm Peterson Berger, isn't it? The one with ”Frösöblomster”?
That's right. At Frösö church you have the opportunity to experience Sommarhagen and the lush nature area that surrounds Wilhelm Peterson Berger's old home. Then stroll for a few minutes in beautiful nature to have a coffee or light lunch at Frösövallen and marvel at the view of Storsjön and Oviksfjällen. Culture, nature, good coffee and mountain views; all this within a day trip from Östersund center. For those who want to drive a little further, it is easy to continue past Frösö Church to Rödön and Ås back to Östersund.
