Hiking in Sweden's national parks
Choose a national park that suits your experience, with practical guidance on routes, local rules, and planning for forests, coastlines, and mountains.
Updated
A woodland walk, an island with sea-facing rocks, or a longer mountain journey: Sweden’s national parks offer very different experiences. Start with a place and a route that suit your experience, the time available, and the season.
Choose the park before packing
Sweden has 31 national parks, according to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s national parks website. They protect different landscapes, and each has its own rules. Check the local requirements for camping, fires, dogs, and fishing instead of assuming the same rules apply everywhere.
A short marked circuit with a generous picnic break can make a better first visit than a long hike. Study the map before travelling: where does the trail start, how will you return, and is there a shorter option if the weather changes?
Söderåsen: choose a route for your group
Plan a visit using Söderåsen’s trail map. It shows different routes and helps you choose a circuit that suits your companions. Check the park’s current visitor information before setting out, too.
Blå Jungfrun: plan for an island visit
Blå Jungfrun is an island in Kalmarsund. Expect rocks, uneven ground, woodland, and views over the sea. Check boat connections, the weather, and your return arrangements before planning the day. Choose footwear for rough ground and leave time for breaks.
Sarek: for experienced mountain hikers
Sarek calls for a different level of preparation. The Swedish Tourist Association describes an area without marked trails or overnight cabins. It requires experience, navigation skills, and careful planning. If you are new to mountain walking, an established trail is a better starting point than choosing Sarek for its views alone.
Keep the first outing simple
Bring footwear you have already walked in, layers for changing weather, water, food, and a map you can use without mobile reception. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Plan around the person in your group who needs the greatest margin.
Take your litter home and give wildlife space. Distance need not be the goal. A walk that leaves time to stop, look around, and want to return is a good beginning.
