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St. Olavsleden
  • Taru Viero
  • Taru Viero

St. Olavsleden

The pilgrim route of St. Olavsleden from Sundsvall Sweden to Trondheim Norway. Weiterlesen
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  • Beginn der Reise
    9. Mai 2024
    Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Preprations

    9. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    All packed up and ready to walk 600 km. 🚶‍♀️

    Quite happy with the total backpack weight. In the end, I had to add an extra T-shirt and shorts to the load as it seems that it will be +20 degrees Celsius next week in Sweden. It will be a sweaty walk. I planned to start this hike in early May as I wanted to walk in cooler weather and now it's summer temperatures. 😄

    Total backpack weight with a full load of food for 4 to 5 days and 1,5 liters of water is 16,2 kg. Without food and water, the weight is 11,7 kg. I could trim down food and leave a few items at home to save about one or two kilograms of weight, but I've walked with this weight. It will be ok and if not, I'll just have to eat food from my pack quicker. 😄

    My stamp book or the pilgrim passport for the trail also came at the last possible moment on Tuesday, the last day of this week when the post is delivered. I ordered the passport and trail patch on the 1st of April from Norway, but first they forgot to mail it and then my package with a total value of 10€ got caught by the Finnish customs and I had to pay a toll for it. 🙄

    You collect stamps for the passport along the way as proof of walking the path and then in Trondheim at the Nidaros cathedral you will get a certificate of completing this world's northernmost pilgrimage route. It's as old a tradition as these pilgrim routes are.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Traveling to the starting point

    11.–12. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Here we go. Been thinking about this hike for so long that it feels somewhat surreal that I'm actually doing this. I'm sure that feeling will dissipate next week when temperatures can reach to +25 degrees Celsius! 🥵

    To Sweden. So few people onboard that this is like a ghost ship compared to the ferries going to Tallinn.

    In Umeå. This is so North that there's still patches of snow here and there and ice in the sea and river.
    From here another 4 hours in the train and I'm almost at the trailhead. Will stay for the night in Sundsvall and tomorrow walk to Selånger which is the official trailhead.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero
    The Baltic sea. Next stop the Atlantic Ocean 600 km away.Morning hike on the valley floor. From Selånger onwards.

    Day 1

    12.–13. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Day 1; Sundsvall - Selånger, 9 km.

    First day and a nice short hike along the Selångersån River. I was surprised by how mountainous the landscape is this close to the sea. It's not mountains yet, but very steep hills all around the river valley.

    Reached Selånger which is the official trailhead as the seashore was here 1000 years ago. This is the spot where the Viking King Olaf landed with his army after marching from Russia and through Finland on their way to claim the Kingship of Norway. The spot is marked by a church which is in ruins now.

    The day went ok. Just a minor setback with my water reservoir. There's only a trickle of water coming through as it seems that the mouthpiece has accumulated lime in it. This was the only thing I didn't test at home as I use it so often and it was functioning a month ago just fine. I'm staying in a private accommodation tonight and the host family gave me a strong vinegar to try to open the mouthpiece. It's not a complete disaster if I can't open the blockage. Just makes it annoying to remove the mouthpiece to drink straight from the hose.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 2

    13.–14. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Day 2; Selånger - Matfors (Lill-Kvällsjön), 21 km.

    It was a beautiful hike on the valley floor most of the day with majestic and steep hills around.

    I stopped at Gisselåsen where a trail angel couple offered me coffee, sandwiches, and water. They have been keeping a record of everyone hiking the St. Olavsleden since the first season of the trail in 2014. During the first year, there were only 14 thru-hikers. Last year around 350 which is not much either.

    I'm the 15th hiker this year and only the 44th hiker from Finland ever. Last year there were no Finnish hikers. In total people from 59 different countries have hiked the trail!

    There is a Dutch couple a day or two ahead of me and three Germans are behind me. I'm sure we'll meet somewhere along the trail.

    It was a really warm day. The whole week is supposed to be like this. 🥵 Next week it should get slightly colder which I'm looking forward to! 🥶

    Found a spot for my tent. Not a good spot by any means as there is a small lake, but the shore is so swampy that I can't access the water. Thankfully I'll have a full 1,5 liters with me still. I'll manage this evening and try to leave early tomorrow. It's about 10 km to a spot where I'm sure I will be able to access water, but I can also try to ask from houses if things go thirsty.🥤

    In the evening I had to still change the place for my tent. This tiny lake is inhabited by beavers!

    I've never encountered or seen beavers in Finnish nature so I didn't see the signs that the lake is reserved.

    But after a while, I started seeing cut-down trees all over the shoreline and understood that the big pile of wood was just not a rubbish dump, but their home! Also, the strange sounds that I heard earlier which made me wonder how huge the bird must be that its wings make that kind of sound was the beavers flapping their tail. Also now that the sun is setting down I could hear them walking in the grass.

    As they were here first I had to move away from the shoreline. I don't want to get hit by a falling tree or have to fight them off during the night. 🤣    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 3

    14.–15. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Day 3; Matfors (Lill-Kvällsjön) - Stöde, 30 km.

    Was a long and hot day along the shores of Stödesjön Lake. The views especially towards the end of the day were nice, but the first part was among thick forest with no views at all. Some would call this section boring and in a way it was, but it was also so peaceful. No other human in sight, only birds singing for hours.

    Distance wise it was a brutal day with temperatures closing at +30 degrees Celsius in the sun. The only saving grace was that now and then heavy wind blew through the valley.

    I'm not going to do this long day tomorrow. The hot weather will continue till Saturday and I still have a long journey ahead of me.

    The three Germans arrived at this camping ground too. Seems to be father, mother, and daughter hiking together. I was too tired to go and say hello and they looked like they also just wanted to get quickly into the shower and bed.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 4

    15.–16. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Day 4; Stöde - Torpshammar, 25 km.

    A beautiful hike along the banks of the Ljungan River. My favorite section so far. The trail followed the river, went into forest paths through farms, and past old farming buildings as the trail seems to follow a very old road here and there.

    It's also so quiet. Hardly any people are anywhere. I'm guessing that most of the buildings and old farms are now summer residencies and summer holidays haven't started yet.

    A warm day of +27 degrees Celsius. That's the official temperature. I wonder how hot it was directly in the sun. 🥵    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 5

    16.–17. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Day 5; Torpshammar - Borgsjö, 30 km

    Another long day. The problem is that the stage distances are not accurate by any means. This was supposed to be a 25 km stage, 26 km max! The difference doesn't sound much but believe me having to hike another 4 kilometers in the afternoon heat instead of one is a huge difference.

    The first part of the day also had so many beautiful tent spots but the latter part didn't have any, not beautiful nor ugly. I just had to push on to reach the Borgsjö pilgrim center, which was already closed.

    Oh well, I can get water and electricity here and the toilet is open. Also, I can get ice cream from the nearby gas station. So I'm just fine.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero
    Lunch break at the pilgrim's hut which one can use free of charge.

    Day 6

    17.–18. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Day 6; Borgsjö - Altar Stone, 24 km.

    A day of a lot of ascends. Of course, it was inevitable when looking at the landscape. I've looked at the map and many of these hills or mountains around are closer to 400 meters tall with some reaching around 600 meters. Many fell in Finland don't even reach that high.

    Besides climbing up there were many natural springs along the path. The famous one is St. Olav Spring. Legend says that Olav Haraldsson's men were complaining about the lack of water. Olav hit the ground with his staff and water poured out. Their horses were also thirsty but they had no buckets. Olav sat down on a rock to think about the issue and the rock melted under him forming a bowl from which the horses could drink.
    For myself I got to experience thirst as well as I ran out of water about 3 kilometers before the place I thought to camp. When I got to the spot it was no good as getting water was too difficult through the thick forest and steep hill. No matter how I felt, exhausted and thirsty I had to hike another 4 kilometers to the Altar Stone where there is a stream.

    Water has never tasted this good or looked this nice. And the three blueberry muffins that I carried all those 24 kilometers. 😋

    Oh and at one point I thought I was hallucinating from lack of water as I stumbled into two reindeer who were just as curious about me as I was about them. 🤣    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero
    Lunch break spot at sandy beach.

    Day 7

    18.–19. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Day 7; Altar Stone - Bräcke, 21 km.

    First week of hiking behind.

    Was a nice day of hiking. I felt good physically and mentally even when there was a pavement section to walk on.

    It's still a four-day hike to Östersund. I will probably take a break there. My feet look crazy after a week of walking 20+ kilometers. Crazy is the only way to describe them. I had one blister in both feet which didn't bother that much and now they don't bother at all, but they sure look crazy. 🤪 Not going to share pictures of them. 😄

    Also on my right ankle, I again have that familiar bump that comes and goes. It has been like that for years. Have to keep an eye on it as it's now facing more stress than ever.

    None of these are hurting me but they don't look good. Then again I've never seen on social media other long-distance hiker feet looking good either. 🤣

    Also in the mornings, I feel good. No soreness or stiff muscles. I guess walking every day to work and back for 7 kilometers no matter the weather with 6 kg weights on my back paid off. Even when some at work and home thought I was crazy. 🤣    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 8

    19.–20. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Day 8; Bräcke - Gällö, 30 km.

    Was a very nice day of hiking as it was significantly cooler around +8 degrees Celsius when I started in the morning. During the day wind started picking up reaching such ferocious levels that I had to get my winter jacket when taking a break. It was that cold.

    It got to be again a longer day than I like because the stage distances are just way off. Perhaps Swedish kilometers are shorter...

    Reaching to Gällö I rented a tiny cabin for tonight as the wind is blowing so hard that getting tent up in this kind of wind is difficult.

    Decided to take a cabin for tonight. The wind is really strong probably close to storm readings and I was worried that after a 30-kilometer day, I would be too tired to get the tent up in this wind without damaging it.

    Also, this camping ground has a special price for pilgrims meaning that the price difference between a cabin and tent was a few euros.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 9

    20.–21. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Day 9; Gällö, 0 km.

    Going to take a so-called zero day today. I'll just rest, eat, drink, and sleep for today in my tiny cabin and continue towards Trondheim tomorrow.

    I didn't feel that great yesterday evening and still this morning felt a bit strange. The wind yesterday was so heavy that it probably chilled me to the bone.Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 10

    21.–22. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Day 10; Gällö - Pilgrimstad, 21 km.

    Felt fine this morning and continued the journey towards Trondheim. It was a nice forest path hike most of the day following the Anviksjön Lake.

    It also seems that mosquitos have woken up at least in that forest. I stopped for a moment and was swarmed by mosquitos. I quickly got my repellant that I just yesterday was thinking of leaving for the cabin. I sprayed my upper body with it and was happy for a second before seeing my ankles turning black as the mosquitos swarmed my ankle!

    I also burned my left arm in the sun which I don't understand as the forest was very shady.

    Found a nice spot for my tent just on the outskirts of Pilgrimstad. The nice breeze from the lake keeps my tent cool and I can be inside the tent and out from the sun.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 11

    22.–23. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Day 11; Pilgrimstad - Lunne, 21 km.

    Left quite early in the morning and stopped at the St. Olav Spring in Pilgrimstad to fill up my water. Rather filled from the spring than from the lake as lakes are covered in pollen. And so is the air. A few days ago I thought I was in the middle of a forest fire because such a dense cloud of pollen was floating around.

    The path today was nothing special. Quite a boring dirt road most of the day, but I felt good and made such a good time that by 1 pm I was already at a location that would have been suitable for tenting. Not wanting to stop just yet I walked on and managed to reserve a tiny cabin for tonight. I'm getting so close to Östersund which I'll reach tomorrow that there just aren't good places to tent this close to the city.

    I can also now see the snow-covered mountain peaks in the distance that I will be crossing next week. The route across should be almost clear of snow even when I still see some here on lower elevation. It's going to take me at least a week to reach the mountains in the distance.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 12

    23.–24. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Day 12; Lunne - Östersund, 20 km.

    Reached Östersund. The only bigger city on this route before Trondheim. I was originally thinking of taking a zero day here, but as I just took one and I don't have anything I need from here I'll continue tomorrow towards the snowy peaks in the horizon.

    I'm closing a halfway mark in a few days. So far all my gear is holding up. However, my shoes are starting to lose the sole with part of it already smooth. Also, the cushioning on the right heel is starting to come off but so far duct tape and gauze are preventing too much damage on my heel.

    I'm mostly wondering when my T-shirt that I wear every day when walking will turn to the same dust that my clothes accumulate every day. I try to rinse my clothes every day and the amount of dust coming off is just crazy.

    I got also lucky at Brunflo as they opened the church just when I reached it. The church even had an audio presentation of the church in Finnish! Also, the old bell tower was open, and I got to climb to the top.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 13

    24.–25. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Day 13; Östersund - Rödösundet, 21 km approx.

    I won't be measuring the distance with my phone any more as the GPS tracker just uses so much phone battery. Thus I will be estimating the distances. From Östersund onwards places to charge my phone and power bank are more limited and there also will be more places to camp with no electricity.

    Like today's tent spot by the Storsjön Lake. Amazing spot with a view to the mountains where a thunderstorm was raging earlier but which didn't seem to come down to lower elevations.

    The weather continues to be hot! I left quite early this morning and was kind of thinking that I perhaps should start hiking even earlier because by noon the weather is just so brutal especially if you are in mostly open fields like today which had no shade and no wind.

    I also stopped at a lunch buffet at a nice hotel that was on my way. Never have I felt more out of place than here. Being smelly, sweaty, and sunburned among all the fancy business people having lunch.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Dayt 14

    25.–26. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Day 14; Rödösundet - Nälden, 25 km approx.

    Was a really heavy day. I left after 7 am, but by 11 o'clock it was already so hot that I was struggling to move. No shade, no wind, and as soon as I stopped swarms of mosquitos arrived.

    I think I just have to try to leave as early as possible so that by noon I'm ready to stop for the day. It's useless to try to stop for the afternoon and then continue in the evening as evenings are hot as well. The sun doesn't set until closer to 11 pm and then it's up again after 3 am. That's a lot of sun!

    Camped now near this tiny village. Found a pretty nice spot for the tent. Children swimming in that ice water. It's just not my imagination that it's cold as I could hear their scream of cold water! 😄    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 15

    26.–27. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Day 15; Nälden - Wången, 20 km approx.

    Started again after seven when it was cool and nice. Around 9 am the trail went literally through the porch of the main building of an old farm and an old lady happened to come out from the house just at that moment holding a cup of coffee.

    We changed a few words and she asked if I would like to have coffee. I initially refused, but how can anyone refuse a cup of coffee a second time! So in the end I sat with her and her husband drinking coffee and eating sandwiches. They have lived their whole life on this same farm. The woman was born on a farm 5 kilometers away! They also said that the neighbor farm during the Second World War had two little girls from Finland as refugees and that they were still in contact with them.

    I sat there for quite a long time discussing but finally had to go. The hike took me through dense forests and had quite a lot of hill climbing with a stunning view of Alsensjön Lake. Some parts of the trail were like the Alps really with the sudden elevation changes and open field with lake view. This section is among the most stunning ones so far.

    The trail also passed the Glösa rock carvings which have been the most impressive part of the trail so far. These are mostly elk figures carved to stone some 5000 to 6000 years ago by hunters who gathered here on this spot perhaps every year. The elks have life lines drawn into them with the lines passing a circle in the chest area, the heart. At least one elk also has a circle in the abdomen area, the uterus. It's a really impressive place when considering how much time has passed and that we can't even properly analyze the carvings and their meanings, as our lives, experiences, and understanding are completely different, but still, this small stream and waterfall feels as magical to me as it did to people 6000 years ago.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 16

    27.–28. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Day 16; Wången - Mörsil, 31 km approx.

    Left around 7:30 am from the Wånger stables. It is a huge and old place. I don't know much about horses but I think I've seen the name Wånger before. They also offer tiny rooms and cabins for rent. I stayed in a room and slept so well.

    Originally I had thought that I should leave as early as possible, even like 5 am as the section towards Mörsil has constant climbing up and down for nearly 30 kilometers. I was anxious about it for days that I wouldn't make it in these temperatures.

    In the end, I decided to stay for breakfast which I think was a good decision. There were also premade sandwiches wrapped in plastic that I could take with me which was nice.

    I got lucky with the weather as most of the day it was cloudy with little wind and the temperatures didn't rise too high. So even when the day was long it didn't feel that heavy.

    I also reached the halfway point. To my surprise the halfway point was maintained by an 85-year old man who lives on top of this hill alone. The trail goes right through his front porch. He saw me after I passed his house and came asking me for a coffee and to get my stamp which two Dutch hikers sent for him after passing his house last summer.

    An even bigger surprise was that the man spoke fluent Finnish! We chatted for quite a long time. He would have wanted to go and show me all the historical memorial stones in the area, but I can't go running around every corner of Sweden if I want to finish St. Olavsleden. Kind of felt sad about turning down the offer. He obviously also wanted to speak Finnish and tell about his life. I hope more hikers stop at his house.

    Also, the first drops of rain in 16 days fell today. But it was so little rain that I didn't even bother to get my rain gear.

    Tomorrow should be a much shorter hike and I should reach the first bigger waterfall on this route which I've been looking forward to. I'll stay there for the night.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 17

    28.–29. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Day 17; Mörsil - Ristafallet, 21 km approx.

    Made good progress in the cool morning hours and reached Järpen quite quickly. I spent some time in this small town eating, drinking coffee, and searching for mosquito spray that I ran out of. I almost didn't take the spray with me as it shouldn't be needed at this time of the year, but here we are.

    Another uncommon thing is this heat that's been going on for two and a half weeks! It again around noon halted my progress to a crawl from shade to shade. The good news is that it should start to get cold by the time I'm done with my hike...🙄

    Reached the Ristafallet waterfalls which are just amazing. There would have been options to camp out of the camping area, but trying to get water from that raging river didn't seem sensible so I went into the camping area which is right next to the waterfall. I just wonder how I will sleep the next night in this noise! 😄    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 18

    29.–30. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Day 18; Ristafallet - Åre, 22 km approx.

    Slept surprisingly well next to a waterfall. I've noticed it before that nature sounds don't bother me that much while sleeping, but for example people talking and laughing near the tent like in Östersund camping area makes it impossible for me to sleep.

    Was a beautiful trail today. And the views were great, but man those climbs up and up are really tough. Forget my previous complaints about climbs. Climbs here are on a completely different level. Steep and long. This definitely is not for a faint of heart or for non-fit person's. These are mountains.

    Reached Åre which definitely is not a place for my pay grade! It's s luxurious holiday village for those with extra cash. I mean sure it looks nice, but you could be in any other ski center. All look like this.

    It also rained in the afternoon, but I was already indoors thinking how much food I can carry as when I leave Åre and Duved tomorrow the next shop will be in Vuku Norway some 100 kilometers away!

    I might spend six days reaching Vuku. I'm not taking days off, but instead I think I'll do few shorter days in the Swedish-Norwegian border area and enjoy the mountains there.

    It also could be that I won't have much phone or internet connection for the next six days as the trail is in quite an isolated area.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 19

    30.–31. Mai 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Day 19; Åre - Tännforsen, 21 km approx.

    It was an easy and quick hike as it was mostly a flat road with not much elevation. Suited me just fine as I'm now carrying food for five to six days to make it to the town of Vuku in Norway where the next shop is some 90 kilometers away.

    Reached Tännforsen quite early. This is the biggest waterfall in Sweden and it is not allowed to camp here. The waterfall during its existence has sprayed so much moisture into the air that it has created a unique environment around it and nature needs to be protected from damage that masses of people camping here would cause.

    There are a few spots for motorhomes to stay but nothing else. Then there's also a small cabin which is reserved solely for people walking the St. Olavsleden. Nobody else can reserve a spot in this cabin and you do need to provide your pilgrim passport and stamps as proof that you are a hiker before you can book a bed. I got a bed in this nice cabin and as it's early season there are no other hikers. In total the cabin can accommodate eight people though if more arrive none will be turned away. Arrangements will be made to accommodate all.

    They also made me dinner and I got breakfast supplies with me as well to the cabin and a bit of lunch for tomorrow's hike. I also washed all my clothes properly as the cabin has a washing machine free to use.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero
    Rest spot.

    Day 20

    31. Mai–1. Juni 2024 in Schweden ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Day 20, Tännforsen - Medstugusjön Lake, 20 km approx.

    Again an easy hike towards Norwegian border. There was slight elevation gain, but it was so gentle that it didn't tire me completely. After one gentle climb the scenery changed like from a switch. Most of the coniferous trees disappeared and the birches remaining turned quite small. Mountain scenery.

    It has been two days walking on the pavement. Some might think it as boring and in a way it is, but it's so desolate and quiet here. This is the ancient road to Norway. People have moved to the Atlantic coast via this road for ages. There's nowhere else the path can go than on the pavement as not many people have lived here either. There are no forest roads zigzagging the area. It's just this one line to Norway. Nowadays most of the car traffic is on E14 and this old road is relatively quiet.

    Even when I don't mind this pavement section that much my right ankle has. It got quite sore and painful today which is of course made worse by all the food I need to carry. I'm slightly worried that can I continue or not. I'll have to see how it is tomorrow morning. The next three to four days I had planned to walk very short days so it would be rest too. I might still try to do that if the ankle isn't any worse than this in the morning.

    But my tent spot couldn't be more beautiful. Sandy beach by the lake and three snow-covered mountains are visible from my tent.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero
    Three weeks to cross Sweden and reach the Norwegian border!

    Day 21

    1.–2. Juni 2024 in Norwegen ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Day 21; Medstugusjön Lake - 10 km east of Sul, 18 km approx.

    Soaked my ankle in the ice-cold lake yesterday evening, rested, flexed, and took some painkillers and in the morning the ankle felt almost ok. So I decided to at least walk a short distance.

    However, I made good progress in the cool weather and reached the first shelter at 11 am. I didn't want to stop that early so I ate lunch and continued towards Norway. Around 12:30 pm I reached the Swedish-Norwegian border. It took me exactly 3 weeks to walk across Sweden and reach the Norwegian border. There were some day hikers eating their lunch at the border marker and they took my picture.

    Immediately after continuing into Norway, the scenery changed. Almost all trees were gone and mountains or fells rose around reaching between 500 to 800 meters in height. I reached the top of one fell at 650 meters. It was also much colder. Had to get my gloves and winter jacket when I stopped for a break. I've carried them for three weeks without using them. At least they came in use now.

    I finally stopped at the second shelter which has a nice stream going through an old bridge. The scenery is nice. In the evening I climbed to a nearby hill to get a better view. Also while filtering water for the morning I came close to a fox which didn't notice me until it got close and then it hurried away.

    My ankle felt ok throughout the day.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 22

    2.–3. Juni 2024 in Norwegen ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Day 22, 10 km east of Sul - Inna River, 20 km South-East of Vuku, 17 km.

    It was a really beautiful hike again. The trail came down from the mountains and the descent was really steep now and then. You would think it would be easy coming down but no it's not. In certain areas I'm not sure how I would have come down if it would have rained.

    Coming down from the mountain I also started to hear bells clinging in the distance. I got slightly worried that there's reindeers which can be aggressive, but when I rounded carefully the corner I saw sheep's. The mountain forest was actually full of sheep's.

    And of course there were few climbs back up. One ascent was especially brutal and I will remember the elevation marker 308 meters for the rest of my life.

    I arrived to Inna river in the afternoon and this is just too picturesque place. Like it's not from this world. Too beautiful. My campsites just keeps getting more beautiful.

    In the evening I still hiked a bit further the trail that follows the Inna river. It was just so beautiful. I can definitely see why people love Norway. If I would live here I would be gone to the mountains for good.    Weiterlesen

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  • Taru VieroSt. OlavsledenTaru Viero

    Day 23

    3.–4. Juni 2024 in Norwegen ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Day 23, Inna River, 20 km South-East of Vuku - Vuku, 20 km approx.

    First day that it rained from start to finish. Not a heavy rain constantly, but steady rain, sometimes harder, sometimes lighter.

    I've been quite lucky with the weather. This is the first time in over 3 weeks that it really has rained. I don't like the hot weather much, but of course it's nicer than slog along in wet shoes through knee height grass. No goretex or anything will keep your shoes dry and my shoes are starting to disintegrate slowly. The surface has cracked and let's water in quite nicely. What a fun last week it will be as the weather will be wet for now.

    I reached Vuku in good time. The store was open as well as a cafe. Soon heading out to local pizzeria too! I'm staying in local cabins as I need to get my battery bank recarged and it's nice to get a shower.

    Didn't take much pictures as my phone doesn't like water.    Weiterlesen

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