The best walks and hikes in Sweden

Top regions to hike in Sweden

In the northeast, Skuleskogen National Park is a beautiful place to explore some of the best hiking trails in Sweden. Set on the edge of the Baltic Sea, this national park has mountains, spruce forests and fantastic sea views over the neighbouring islands. 

Down in Småland in the south east, the hiking is flatter with lakes, forests and coastal walks added into the mix. You’ll still find hills here in the South Swedish Highlands, where you can explore the forested uplands and gentle valleys. Hikes in Sweden’s southern heartland include the innumerable trails out from Jöngköping where you’ll trek through magical woods and see quintessentially Swedish houses. 

In the far north, near the Norweigen border, you’ll find Abisko National Park. This phenomenal area is a great place to spot the aurora as well as hike through mountains and boreal forests. A little further south is Sarek National Park, complete with waterfalls, mountains and wide valleys. Remote and breathtaking, you could hike for a lifetime here and never get bored. 

Right to Roam in Sweden

One of the most amazing things about walks in Sweden is that they can be taken anywhere. The country has a right to roam law, making it legal to walk and wild camp almost anywhere you choose. This doesn’t extend to gardens but when it comes to walking, it does include farmland. 

This is an incredible freedom so you should always take care not to abuse it by leaving litter or damaging any crops. In national parks, the rules may be different so it’s worth checking the local situation. 

Sweden’s abundant wildlife

As such a vast and sparsely populated country, it’s no wonder that the wildlife here is abundant. Whilst adventuring in the wilds of Sweden, you’ll spot animals like reindeer, moose and deer with relative ease. 

The nation’s predators are perhaps the most sought after animals to catch a glimpse of while hiking. Lynx, bears and wolves are all residents here but these majestic creatures tend to stay away from humans. Walk enough though and you may see signs of them, perhaps even spotting them in the distance. 

You should always give wild animals a wide berth and while most pose no threat to hikers, no animal responds well to feeling threatened. 

Other animals to keep an eye out for are golden eagles, grey seals and beavers. Wherever you go in this incredible country, you’ll see wildlife at every turn.