St Olav Waterway

Where Viking longships once carried pilgrims across Scandinavian waters, the St Olav Waterway revives the maritime route to St Olav's shrine. This unique kayaking pilgrimage crosses from Sweden into Norway, paddling the traditional waterways that medieval pilgrims used to reach Nidaros - a journey through the wild landscapes that shaped Nordic Christianity.

📜 History & Significance

Before modern roads crossed the Scandinavian mountains, water offered the easiest passage. Medieval pilgrims traveling from Sweden to St Olav's shrine at Trondheim often used lakes, rivers, and coastal waters rather than overland trails. The St Olav Waterway recreates this maritime pilgrimage tradition for modern seekers.

The route follows the watery highways that connected Swedish and Norwegian communities for millennia - paths used by traders, missionaries, and kings as well as pilgrims. The journey offers a contemplative immersion in the elemental Scandinavian landscape.

🥾 Route Overview

The St Olav Waterway covers approximately 160 km by kayak from Storlien (on the Swedish-Norwegian border) to Trondheim, typically completed in 6-8 days of paddling. The route follows lakes and rivers through the wild Norwegian interior before reaching the Trondheimsfjord.

From Storlien, pilgrims paddle across mountain lakes and down rivers, eventually reaching the waters of Selbusjøen. The final section descends to the fjord and follows the coast to Trondheim, where Nidaros Cathedral awaits at journey's end.

☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites

Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim is the northern terminus of all St Olav pilgrimage routes, housing the shrine of Norway's patron saint. The medieval cathedral, Scandinavia's largest, marks the traditional coronation site of Norwegian kings.

Along the waterway, wilderness churches and chapels offer rest points, while the natural landscape itself - mountains, forests, and shimmering waters - provides the setting for contemplative pilgrimage.