A Self-Guided Nordic Trail

The St Olav Waterway

 

This trail is for anyone who is motivated to do more than a parkrun. 

Weaving through the Finnish and Åland Islands, this self-guided route combines the outdoors and saunas like you won’t find elsewhere!

Overview:

Concept: We recommend walking from Turku to Mariehamn on the Åland Islands, a section with excellent transport connections. This section includes ferry crossings which are free for foot passengers. 

Distance: 295km 
Duration: 10–12 Days
Start: The official start/end point is in the cathedral in Turku, Finland
End: Officially Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. But we go as far as Åland Islands
Ability: Best for those with moderate fitness. Daily distances are manageable, terrain is mostly gentle, and accommodation is available at regular intervals.
Terrain: Paved and gravel roads, forest trails, some boardwalks. The trail is well-marked with St. Olav emblems.
Best For: People interested in Nordic history, old churches, rune stones, and Viking-era heritage. It’s awesome.

How to Get to Turku:
You can fly into Helsinki and either rent a car for the 2-hour drive to Turku or take a direct train. The train journey from Helsinki to Turku takes approximately 2 hours and costs around €15–€25 (or £13–£22), depending on the time of booking.

Getting Back to Helsinki from Mariehamn: To return to Helsinki from Mariehamn, you can take a short flight (approximately 1 hour) with Finnair, or travel by ferry to Turku and then continue by train or car to Helsinki. Ferries from Mariehamn to Turku typically take around 5 hours and offer scenic views of the archipelago.

Why We Loved this Trail: This trail isn’t just about landscapes (though it is drop-dead stunning). It’s about rhythm. The food buffet lunches along the route in unrecognisable script. Even the hardest of road workers had a glass of milk with their lunch. You see moose. You have saunas. It’s the land of Sibelius and, of course, the wonderfully plump Moomins. TOP TIP Don’t order cappuccinos. They’re €6. Everyone drinks filter.

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Major Points of Interest along the Finnish St Olav Waterway

  • Turku Cathedral: The starting point of the trail and a historic gem in Finland.
  • Åland Islands: Known as the “Islands of Peace,” they offer serene landscapes and cultural heritage tied to St. Olav.
  • Kökar Island: Home to ancient ruins and a Franciscan monastery, blending natural beauty with spiritual significance.
  • Local Saunas and Sea Views: Unique features of this trail include opportunities to relax in traditional Finnish saunas while staying in accommodation.
  • Culinary Delights: We couldn’t get enough of Karelian pie, a slipper-shaped, savoury breakfast pastry and Toast Skagen, toasted bread and a prawn salad. We also fell in love with Lonkero, known as the Finnish Long Drink, a mixture of gin and grapefruit soda. Very yum!

History of St Olav Waterway

The history of the St. Olav Waterway follows medieval pilgrimage routes that were once used to travel to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, dedicated to St. Olav, Norway’s patron saint. Olav himself is believed to have travelled through these islands, evidenced by the churches and cultural landmarks bearing his name throughout the Finnish archipelago and Åland Islands. 

St. Olav was a Viking king who ruled Norway from 1015 to 1028 and after his death, Olav was canonized as a saint. His life and legacy are integral to Norwegian history and the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia.

    Finland Waterway
    St Olav Waterway marker

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