Cycle along St Olavsleden

In this cycling package, a nature experience beyond the ordinary awaits. You travel by bike along the Swedish part of the old pilgrimage route that runs between Selånger outside Sundsvall and Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, through a fascinating landscape. The final destination of this cycling package is Tännforsen, one of Sweden's largest waterfalls located a few miles west of Åre. 

The Viking king Olav Haraldson landed in Selånger and made his way through Medelpad and Jämtland home to Norway. He reached Stiklestad but there he fell on July 29, 1030. He later became Olav the Holy and is depicted in Frösö church. He is buried in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, which became an important destination for Christian pilgrims. The St. Olavsleden stretches 564 km from the Bothnian Sea to the Atlantic, through two countries and eleven municipalities. The Swedish part of the trail starts outside Sundsvall, in Selånger and runs in a varied landscape with large forests, river valleys, open agricultural landscape and high mountains to the blue-green sea fjord in the west. St Olavsleden is divided into stages and not very hilly, which makes it very suitable for cycling.

Cycling takes place mostly along gravel roads, but also along paths and smaller asphalt roads. You cycle at your own pace and decide for yourself where you want to stop along the way. You can choose to have your luggage transported between the accommodation places (booked as an option). This means that you only need to bring a lunch bag and easier packing on the bike. We recommend that you ride a cyclocross or hard tail cross country bike. You who do not have your own bike can rent a bike and helmet.

Here's what you need to bring:
- Water bottle and / or thermos for lunch packages
- Backpack / bike bag
- Repair kits for puncture
- Rainwear
- Clothes, hygiene articles and own equipment (camera etc.)
- Mobile phone
- First aid kit
- Comfortable clothes for cycling in temperatures between +5 to +25 degrees
- Clothing and personal equipment for evening use
- We recommend that you check your insurance before departure

Day 1 - Sundsvall-Selånger-Stöde

hotelBaggnäsgården, Stöde

restaurantDinner

directions_bikeabout 43 km

You who come by train and have rented a bicycle will be met at Sundsvall Central Station. You can then cycle and follow the signs to the start in Selånger. about a mile from the station in Sundsvall. This is where your cycling adventure begins. St Olavsleden passes Kungsnäs and the road you cycle on goes through Selångerdalen's undulating agricultural landscape. Towards Stöde, the journey goes beautifully on the south side of Stödesjön.

Once in Stöde, you have dinner and spend the night at the pleasant Baggnäsgården. It is a living farm, and you live in the converted Mjölkrummet with access to a sauna and its own patio with barbecue.

Day 2 - Stöde-Erikslund

hotelSara´s Bed & Breakfast, Erikslund

restaurantBreakfast and dinner

directions_bikeabout 43 km

After a good night's sleep and a good breakfast, the day's cycling starts, which follows Ljunganåsen. After Viskan you pass Storboda and you cycle in beautiful surroundings. On the way to Erikslund there are opportunities for swimming at Byforsen between Fränsta and Ljungaverk.

In Erikslund, today's stage ends, a few kilometers outside the trail itself but well worth a detour. Here, dinner and overnight stays await at the charming Sara´s Bed & Breakfast with Spa and great hospitality.

Day 3 - Erikslund-Revsund

hotelBakgården, Revsund

restaurantBreakfast and dinner

directions_bikeabout 62 km

Strengthened by breakfast and a good night's sleep, the journey towards Revsund continues. Just a few kilometers after Borgsjö, you pass one of the finest springs along the road, feel free to take a break there, enjoy and replenish fluid stores. At Revsund you can visit Revsund's church which has a St. Olav sculpture from the 13th century.

Tonight you have dinner and spend the night with the host couple Kerstin and Gustav who run the charming farm Bakgården a short distance from the bike path. You live in your own cottage with kitchen and laundry facilities, and can enjoy the wood-fired sauna. In the yard there is a farm restaurant, brewery and a bakery.

Day 4 - Revsund-Östersund

hotelHotel Emma, Ostersund

restaurantBreakfast

directions_bikeabout 55 km

During today's stage, you pass Pilgrimstad, where there is a source that among other things Jämtlands Brewery takes its water from. In Brunflo there is another Olof source. Once in Östersund you head towards Jamtli which during the summer is a living history land.

Tonight you have dinner at a restaurant, and spend the night at the nice Hotel Emma in central Östersund.

Day 5 - Östersund-Alsen

hotelWangen's Inn, Wången

restaurantBreakfast and dinner

directions_bikeabout 54 km

After breakfast you cycle from Jamtli and Östersund over the bridge to Frösön where you pass Frösö church which is from the Middle Ages. The journey takes you further towards Rödön and then to Glösa where you can visit the kingdom of the Moose Clan and look at 5,000-year-old rock carvings.

The trail continues to Wången with horse training and inns where you eat a good dinner and spend the night in nice cottages. Here you can enjoy both sauna and spa (pre-booked).

Day 6 - Alsen-Åre

hotelHotel Granen, Are

restaurantBreakfast

directions_bikeabout 66 km

After eating breakfast and making lunch packages, today's cycling starts. The trail passes through the villages of Kluk, Bleckåsen and Semlan where there was previously a copper hut, and goes on to Järpen, which is the central city in Åre municipality. Further west you follow the Indals River with white foam rapids.

The last bit you cycle in agricultural areas along the Soå village road to Åre with many restaurants, hotels and shops. You end the day with a good dinner at one of Åre's restaurants and comfortable accommodation at Hotel Granen in Åre.

Day 7 - Åre-Tännforsen-Duved

hotelMillestgården Eco Lodge, Duved

restaurantBreakfast and dinner

directions_bikeabout 54 km

Proven by breakfast and with today's packed lunch in your backpack or bike bag, it's time to start cycling. You continue west from Åre on the old road towards Duved. After Forsa you see how the valley spreads out and by the river there is a rampart.

After a short stretch on the E14, turn onto Skalstugevägen which takes you to Tännforsen which is one of Sweden's largest waterfalls, 37 meters high. It is powerful to stand next to it and watch the water rush forward. The nature and experiences at Tännforsen have fascinated writers, artists and tourists for several hundred years.

You cycle back about 11 km towards Duved and here awaits dinner and overnight at the nice Millestgården Eco Lodge.

Day 8 - Breakfast and journey home

restaurantBreakfast

This fantastic cycling adventure ends with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, and then it's time to go home. You can get a ride to the train station in Duved for further travel home.

The bicycle package includes a Pilgrim Pass with space for stamps that you have collected during cycling. It will be a nice documentation and a pleasant travel memory of your cycling along St Olavsleden. Maybe there will be cycling on the Norwegian side next time? Warm welcome again!