Åre - Trondheim (Biking)

Recommended time to go:
June to September

Arrival:

Flight: Trondheim Airport Værnes
Train: From Trondheim/Værnes to Åre, Sweden

Departure:

Public transport: Bus or train
Flight: Trondheim Airport Værnes

Note! The trip is mostly on dirt roads, paths and paved roads.

You can take the train to Åre, where the bike tour starts. The trail from Åre in the direction of Duved runs along the old road called Sotargränd, past Tegefjell and Tegefossen and up to Millestgården. This is a good place to take a break.

The trail continues on relatively flat and easy terrain, on well-marked paths and forest roads. Along the way, you will pass several restored stone bridges that were built in the 19th century. You can stay overnight at Medstugan, which is one of Sweden's largest private properties, and which in the late 19th century was, among other things, a dairy and brewery. Alternatively, you can stay overnight at Skalstugan Hotel, 11 kilometers further on.

Accommodation at Medstugan:

• Medstugan Vandrerhjem

The second stage goes to historic Stiklestad, the place where Olav Haraldsson fell in battle in 1030. The road first runs along lake Medstugusjön, then past Skalstua and into Norway. 

The trail runs on this stretch along Karl Johans road, which was completed in 1835. After crossing the river Kverna, the trail continues to Vuku with the beautiful Vuku church from 1655. 

Once in Stiklestad you can have a nice dinner and stay overnight at Stiklestad Hotel.

Accommodation in Stiklestad:

Stiklestad hotel

From Stiklestad the tour continues to Markabygda. The stage goes through beautiful cultural landscapes. Along the way you pass Munkeby pilgrim hostel, which is located close to a monastery ruin from 1180. Before you go on, it is recommended to try locally produced beer and cheese, made by the monks of Munkeby Monastery.

The trip continues in easy terrain, mostly on gravel roads, and you pass lake Tomtvatnet before arriving at Markabygda, where you can spend the night in Markabygda church room. Here it is also possible to have a simple dinner.

Accommodation in Markabygda:

Markabygda church room

The beginning of the second-to-last stage mostly follows gravel roads through the forest. You will eventually come onto narrower paths on your way down to Værnes and on to Ersgard. 

Once you're there, it is nice to take a bath in the river nearby. At Ersgard, dinner is served in the pleasant pilgrim hostel, and overnight stays are in double rooms in old-fashioned style.

Accommodation at Ersgard:

Ersgard Gårdshotell

With Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim as your destination, you embark on the last stage. The trip towards the city goes along gravel roads, and there are two routes to choose from when you reach Hell.

Either you cycle along the coast and pass Hommelvik, among other places. You both hear and see the Homla River, which you follow for a while, before taking the road along the Trondheimsfjord.

The second option is to follow the signposted cycling route a little farther south and ride in an arc toward Trondheim. This route runs higher up in the terrain. See the suggested map track from Naturkartan further down the page.

You will reach Saksvikskorsen where there is a cross, and this is the first point where you have a view of Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral. The last kilometers go through urban areas and the center of Trondheim, before you finally arrive at the Cathedral. 

You can also visit the pilgrim reception located nearby, where you can receive the Olav Letter if you have cycled the last 200 km to Nidaros Cathedral.

Read about accommodation and attractions in Trondheim here.

For detailed information and bike map, see https://stolavsleden.com/biking/

Below you will find a map from Naturkartan with proposed cycle route on St. Olavsleden:

St Olavsleden Sundsvall Trondheim bike

The map below shows accommodations and sights on the St. Olavsleden trail from Åre to Trondheim. The black lines show hiking routes. Not all parts of the hiking routes are suitable for cycling, see the cycling route in the map from Naturkartan above.