If you’re an avid nature lover and you’re visiting Sweden, it’s essential that you plan to take at least one hike through the Swedish countryside. Sweden has many of the best hiking trails in Europe throughout the country, these six hikes are some of the best around for people looking to get in touch with nature. Here’s why they stand out as exceptional hiking experiences in Sweden, along with a few practical details to keep in mind when planning your trip to each location. Don’t forget to pack your backpack!
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The King’s Trail (Kungsleden)
Kungsleden is one of the best hiking trails in Sweden. It is also one of the longest, at about 440 miles long. The trail can take between 12 and 20 days to complete.
Kungsleden starts in Abisko National Park and goes southward past Kebnekaise mountain peak, the highest point of Sweden. The trail runs through forests, along rivers, and over mountain peaks.
This hike is perfect for those who want a challenge; it’s not recommended for beginners or children under six years old.
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Some may find this hike too difficult or strenuous because there are no resthouses along its path. Hikers need to plan their food supply carefully as they won’t be able to buy food along the way. There are huts every 15-25 miles that serve as refuges, but they need reservations that can be made well in advance. There is cell phone service only a few spots throughout the whole trail, so hikers need to come prepared with extra batteries or charge packs if they’ll need access during their journey.
Kungsleden takes you through some of Sweden’s most beautiful landscapes and offers spectacular views for those willing to put up with a tough hike.
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Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park is a beautiful area that offers some of the best hiking trails in Sweden. It also has an amazing visitor center with all sorts of exhibits and information about the park. You can easily spend hours here exploring and learning about the animals, plants, and other things you can find when hiking or skiing.
The area has a lot of different trails to choose from depending on your skill level, so it’s a great destination for both beginners and experts alike. There are also plenty of campgrounds available if you want to spend more than just one day here. Spending time at this national park is like taking a trip to another world.
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Visitors will be captivated by the scenery as they walk through forests and past lakes. They’ll get a close-up look at wildlife such as arctic hares, lynxes, foxes, wolverines, pine martens, moose, and red deer among others. Along the way, hikers will see many flowers bloom in the summer months. These include mountain avens, alpine roses, roseroot milk vetch, cow parsley, and showy stonecrop among others!
In addition to amazing views and animal sightings, there are also great birdwatching opportunities at this location too!
Click to check the price for Abisko National Park.
Sarek National Park
Sarek National Park is one of the best hiking trails in Sweden and is located on the border of northern Sweden, not far from Norway. With over 2000 kilometers of hiking trails, Sarek National Park is perfect for hikers with a wide range of skill levels. The park offers everything from easy walks to challenging climbs and has plenty of accommodation options available so that you can enjoy the beautiful scenery to its fullest.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore, this is it! You will find untouched landscapes that include rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and forests – as well as other wildlife such as elks, foxes, and bears. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful parks in all of Scandinavia with varied flora and fauna – there are plants here which have never been classified before by botanists! It also features some of the highest peaks in Northern Europe, including Mount Kebnekaise which reaches 2097 meters above sea level.
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It’s recommended that you do your research first if you’re going to go hiking in Sweden; however, some people prefer just heading out without any preparation and seeing where they end up. It doesn’t matter if you decide to hike for one day or longer than expected, it’s a great way to get closer to nature and improve your fitness levels at the same time!
Do you want to enjoy the northern light in Sweden, Winter to Beginning of the spring is the best time.
Tyresta National Park
Tyresta National Park is a nature reserve that has a lot to offer both urban and country dwellers alike. The park features many different types of terrain, including forests, lakes, and open fields. One of the most popular hikes at Tyresta is Haketjernsleden, which is about six kilometers (3.7 miles) long with an elevation gain of about 250 meters (820 feet). This hike starts at GraÌŠsala, located next to a gravel road off Highway 141 near Tyresta Reservoir.
It’s possible to drive up to GraÌŠsala by following the signs from Tyresö or SkogskyrkogaÌŠrden cemetery if you don’t want to walk from either location. Another option is to take public transportation all the way to GraÌŠsala and then start your hike. There are four bus stops on the same gravel road, so make sure you get off at the right stop before walking over to the kiosk area next door.
A great route after this hike would be going back towards Gråsala and taking a right on one of the smaller roads towards Gröna Gata or Gejsninge. Both routes will lead back out of Tyresta National Park. If you take Gejsninge it will lead down towards Tyrasjön Lake, making for some excellent fishing spots along the way.
Vindelfjallen Nature Reserve
Vindelfjallen is not only a great place to hike, but it also happens to be one of the largest nature reserves in Europe, with more than 500 square kilometers of untouched mountain terrain. The area was once home to a thriving population of mountain hares that numbered at one point more than 100,000.
However, hunting and poaching took their toll on the population until there were fewer than 100 left. Today you can find over 5000 hares here living on the alpine meadows, so come and enjoy this fantastic animal while you are hiking!
The Pilgrim Path St Olavsleden – Hiking in Sweden
The Pilgrim Path St Olavsleden is a 400-kilometer-long hiking trail in Northern Sweden and Norway. It passes through the old and new pilgrim routes to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The trail starts in the south at Stavanger and ends in the north by the Arctic Circle, close to the Swedish border.
The trail passes many ancient monuments, churches, and ruins of castles. Hikers begin their journey at Stavanger’s harbor, where they will walk along the coast of the North Sea for a few days before passing through several small villages along inland streams.
Best Hikes in Sweden – Bonus Routes
Långsälns Fjällgård
If you’re looking for some solitude and adventure, LaÌŠngsälns FjällgaÌŠrd will be perfect for you. With eight different routes to choose from, ranging from one hour to twelve hours, no matter your fitness level or experience level there’s something just right for everyone. One highlight is the suspension bridge that stretches across Lake Ulvskalv; take your time crossing this one as the view is spectacular!
The Emigrant Trail (Utvandrarleden)
The Emigrant Trail (Utvandrarleden) is a hiking trail in Dalarna, Sweden. It follows the route that the first Swedish emigrants took when they left their homes in Dalarna and Värmland, to try their luck in America. Today, about 35 000 and 30 000 people go for a hike on The Emigrant Trail every year.
The trail is divided into various sections, each with varying difficulty. If you want to hike the whole trail, you can do so either from east to west or from west to east. It will take you several weeks to complete the whole journey.
Skåneleden Trail
Skåneleden Trail is the first cross-border long-distance hiking trail in the world. It runs through 15 counties across southern Sweden and Denmark.
The Skåneleden Trail is a network of trails, rather than one big trail, which makes it perfect for hiking, biking, and horse riding. The trail is well-marked with red-painted markers and information boards at regular intervals along the route.
It’s possible to buy maps and guides from each county that make it easier to plan an independent journey. Each year there are held events along the trail such as nature walks, bike tours, etc.
So, Which one is your favorite route for hiking in Sweden? Comment below.
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Great info about our beautiful country. Thanks for somehow accurate information.