Follow the trail of the holy Olav. A varied cycle route of through an ever changing scenery of of the Scandinavian landscape.
This series consists of:
- Kristans route (Kristiansand - Oslo
- On the way to St. Olav (Oslo - Selånger)
- St. Olavs Way ( Selånger - Trondheim)
- Gudbrandsdalsleden (Oslo - Trondheim)
- Coastal pilgrim path (Kristiansand - Egersund - Trondheim)
Trondheim in Norway was in the medieval days just as important destination for pilgrims as Santiago, Rome and Jerusalem. The Pilgrims walked to the grave of the holy Olav in Nidaros, the ancient name of present day Trondheim. Since a couple of years, a number of routes are made accessible again for the modern Pilgrims.
Two of these routes, St. Olavsleden from Selånger (Sweden) to Trondheim (Norway) and the Gudbrandsdalsleden from Oslo to Trondheim (Norway), are adapted for cyclists. These Olav Ways, together with the Kristians Route and a transit route, form one large circular, almost 2400 kilometres long bicycle route through Norway and Sweden, In the footsteps of Saint Olav.
The St. Olav’s Way can be cycled on its own. For the other two routes it is a bit different, because Selånger, the starting point of the route of St. Olavsleden, is hard to reach with public transport while bringing your bicycle along.
Direction and starting place
Cycle this complete route counterclockwise and start in Oslo with On the way to St. Olav. Why counterclockwise? For two reasons: the route is easier because the climbings are less steep, and St. Olavsleden from Selånger to Trondheim is well signposted for cyclists in this direction.
Off course, you can cycle the route the other way around, but it’s a bit tougher.
De routes
The four routes that form In the footsteps of the holy Olav are described here independently.
The Kristians route is a beautiful route along the endless southeastern Norwegian archipelago, from Kristiansand to Kristiania, the old name of Oslo.
A route from Oslo to Selånger that connects both Olavspaden trails. You will cycle mostly through the timeless and lovely landscape of Sweden. In the first part through Norway, you will cycle through beautiful forests, past lakes and arrive at idyllic spots.
Cycle over five hundred kilometres from the Baltic Sea coast to the Atlantic Ocean along the world's northernmost pilgrimage route, the S:t Olavsleden
