Sweden is a fabulous country, famous for its clean air and picturesque landscapes. Evergreen forests, clear lakes and mysterious mountains - what could be more beautiful? Knowingly with the onset of summer, thousands of Swedes clean up business suits in the closet, collect backpacks and go on the most interesting trips around their country. Numerous opportunities for hiking and hiking attract more and more foreign tourists in search of privacy and harmony. In this article we will talk about the peculiarities of trekking in Sweden and the most popular routes.
The best trails in Sweden
As in any other country, in Sweden there are both more popular routes, and less famous ones. Consider the 5 best hiking trails for travelers:
- Padelantha (Padjelanta). The name Padjelanta means "highlands" in the local language of the Saami, and the route passes through several summer settlements of this people and the pastures of their deer. "Padelanta" is one of the most popular hiking trails in Northern Sweden. The starting point of the route is the small village of Kvikkjokk, then the path lies through the national park and the route ends in Ritseme. The total length of the trail is 140 km. Usually the trip takes 9-10 days, although one additional day may be required for planning breaks and in the event of a sharp change in weather. The trekking also includes tasting of smoked goat (a popular Saami delicacy) and visiting a local church in the village of Staloluokta, in which the altar is made of wood, and instead of benches lie deer skins.
- Kungsleden. The most famous trekking in Sweden is, of course, Kungsleden (Royal path). The famous path is about 440 km in length, and most of this distance is beyond the Arctic Circle. Traditionally the whole route is divided into 4 segments, each of which is interesting in its own way. So, the most popular among tourists enjoys the way of Abisko - Nikkaluyuot, which suggests a passage through the valley of Laporten, as well as rest at the foot of the highest mountain of Sweden, Kebnekaise . If you prefer a more secluded vacation , choose the path from Quixquiocca to Ammarsnäs. All 166 km of trails run along lakes and small villages - an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with local culture . The disadvantage of this route is that there are very few places to stay over the entire route, so a tent is required.
- High shore (Höga Kusten). Honorary 3 place in the ranking of the best tracks takes the route "High Coast". The name is symbolic: since the Ice Age, the land on this site has risen by about 800 meters, which gives all travelers the opportunity to enjoy amazing landscapes and see first-hand the earth's most interesting processes. At the beginning of the XXI century. The unique natural area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, the route "Vysoky Bereg" passes through one of the most beautiful national parks in Sweden - Skulskugen . Located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, the reserve is famous for its unusual rock peaks, rising directly from the water, and its main attraction is a 40 m deep rock rift.
- Skåneleden. Traditionally it is believed that the best trekking trails in Sweden are in the northern part of the country, but tourists who have traveled along the Skoneelen route may disagree with this statement. The famous road, through which thousands of travelers from all over the world travel every year, is located in the southernmost part of the country. It consists of 5 separate trails, the total length of which is 1000 km. By the way, it is the Skåneleden track that is part of an international trail along the North Sea coast that passes through 7 countries and covers about 6000 km. The whole route runs through small towns and villages. Extremely picturesque places are constantly found here: rocky coasts, undulating crests, deep forests and white sandy beaches. In addition, you can visit Dalby-Söderskog - the oldest national park in the south of Sweden, which is famous for its rich flora and fauna.
- Upplandsleden. The city of Uppsala , in honor of which the following route is named, is located about 70 km from Stockholm , thanks to which the track is very popular with tourists. It is ideal for both day-long rest and a week-long hike. A path of 450 km long runs mainly through pine forests, small villages and farms with windmills. In addition, you will have the opportunity to consider the habitats of deer, moose and black woodpeckers in the wild (the largest species in Europe).
Tips for beginners
If you are just starting your acquaintance with the world of travel and have never been in a hike in your life, the following tips are just for you:
- Traditionally, the trekking season in Sweden lasts from June to September, in the south of the country - for a couple of months longer. On the routes "Padelanta National Park" and "Royal Trail" in the first month of the summer there is still a lot of snow, but tourists in this period are few, so if you prefer to travel in seclusion, June is the best time for trekking.
- When going on the road, be sure to take with them protective equipment from mosquitoes. The greatest number of mosquitoes and other insects is observed in the northern part of the country at the very beginning of summer, so many tourists choose August-early September for the rest.
- Before you go to trekking in Sweden, get special walking boots, preferably with a waterproof sole. If your path is in the northern part of the Kingdom, where the wind is more severe, and the rainfall is more abundant, give preference to rubber boots-Wellingtons.
- In the spring and early summer, be especially careful: after several months of hibernation, snakes creep up in the sun, some of which may pose a great threat to human life.
- Despite the fact that on all routes there are specially equipped places for spending the night, experienced tourists advise to take a tent with them. Thus, you can not only decently save on living, but also plan for yourself privals, tk. the distances between camp sites sometimes reach 10-20 km.