Hiking in Sweden: The 6 Most Beautiful Trails

The best thing about hiking in Sweden is the sheer range of trails on offer. You'll find them among the rocky mountains of northern Sweden all the way down to the sweeping beaches of the southern coasts. Here we've gathered six of Sweden's most beautiful trails, from shorter coastal walks in the south to week-long mountain treks in the north, with facts on length, difficulty and the best starting point.

Every season has something unique to offer. A crisp autumn day or a winter walk with lightly falling snow can bring truly wonderful experiences in nature, just like a bright summer night in the mountains. Some parts of Sweden are also better suited to colder seasons, while southern Sweden is often at its most beautiful in early spring or late autumn.

Skåneleden is one of Sweden's largest trail networks and stretches across virtually all of Skåne. The trail is around 1,300 kilometres long and divided into six sub-trails with more than 100 day stages. Here you're surrounded by open sea, majestic beech forests and wide open plains. Walk through the Pingånge forests in the north or Söderåsen National Park surrounded by beautiful beech woodland, or make your way along Kullaberg and Stenshuvud National Park. Read more about Skåneleden here

Facts about Skåneleden

- Starting point: several, including Kullaberg and Bjärehalvön in northwestern Skåne

- Length: around 1,300 km, six sub-trails

- Over 100 day stages

- Good public transport along large parts of the trail

- Connects to Blekingeleden in the east

Between the medieval town of Sölvesborg in the west and Bröms northeast of Karlskrona lies Blekingeleden. Here you make your way along small paths, charming gravel roads and through lush woodland, often called Sweden's garden for its deciduous forest and blooming meadows. If you enjoy fishing, Mörrumsån, one of the world's most famous salmon rivers, runs right alongside the trail. Read more about Blekingeleden here

Facts about Blekingeleden

- Starting point: Sölvesborg (or Olofström on the alternative route)

- Length: 255 km, 15 stages

- Ends at: Bröms/Brömsebäcken, connecting to Torsåsleden

- Wind shelters and fire pits along the whole trail

- Connects to Skåneleden in the west

Experience some of Sweden's wildest forests and a real sense of wilderness when you hike in Tiveden. Here you'll pass between giant boulders and deep rift valleys, shaped by the ice age. The signature trail between Stenkällegården and Ramundeboda is 47 kilometres long and is perfect if you're after a more rugged nature experience, with enchanted forests, deep ravines and beautiful wilderness lakes. Read more about Tiveden here

Facts about Tiveden

- Starting point: Tiveden National Park main entrance, near Stenkällegården

- Length: 47 km between Stenkällegården and Ramundeboda

- Shorter loop trails from 1–12 km inside the national park

- 30 km of riding trails for horseback fans

- Rest areas with wind shelters along the trail

The classic Vasaloppsleden runs between Berga village in Sälen and Mora in Dalarna, largely following the same route as the famous Vasaloppet ski race. The trail is easy to walk, with a longer climb at the start towards Risberget that then eases into a gentle downhill stretch all the way to Mora. Stop by the Vasaloppet Museum in Mora, and pick cloudberries, lingonberries or mushrooms in autumn. Read more about Vasaloppsleden here

Facts about Vasaloppsleden

- Starting point: Vasaloppet start line, Berga village, Sälen

- Length: 90 km

- Duration: about 5 days

- Difficulty: easy terrain, great for beginners

- 9 overnight cabins along the trail

Höga Kustenleden is considered one of Sweden's most beautiful hiking trails and is one of STF's signature trails. It's around 129 kilometres long and split into 13 stages, with elevation changes of nearly 300 metres. You'll hike through nature areas rich in flora and fauna, past old mountain farms and churches, Skuleskogen National Park, and a unique mix of archipelago and enchanted forest along the world's highest coastline. Read more about Höga Kustenleden here

Facts about Höga Kustenleden

- Starting point: Hornöberget, near the Höga Kusten Bridge, Härnösand municipality

- Length: around 129 km, 13 stages

- Difficulty: ranges from easy to demanding per stage

- Ends at: Värnvik/Örnsköldsvik

- Overnight options at every stage

Kungsleden, or the King's Trail, is one of Sweden's most famous and classic hiking routes. It runs through the majestic mountains of Swedish Lapland, from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south, a stretch of around 440 kilometres. Along the way you'll pass through four national parks: Abisko, Stora Sjöfallet, Sarek and Pieljekaise. The hike offers everything from alpine terrain and glittering lakes to mountain birch forest and small mountain villages. If you're lucky, you might even catch the northern lights. Read more about Kungsleden here

Facts about Kungsleden

- Starting point: Abisko Tourist Station, Kiruna municipality (or Hemavan in the south)

- Length: around 440 km (full trail)

- Duration: 1–4 weeks depending on the stage

- Highest point: Tjäktjapasset, 1,150 m above sea level

- STF mountain cabins along the entire trail

After a long day on foot, it can be nice to rest up somewhere other than a wind shelter. Several of the trails above are close to unique places to stay right in nature. If you're curious about combining your hike with a stay, take a closer look here:

Stays in Skåne, near Skåneleden

Stays in Blekinge (Götaland)

Stays near Tiveden (Västergötland)

Stays in Dalarna, near Vasaloppsleden

Stays near Höga Kusten (Norrland)

Stays in Lapland, near Kungsleden