Thinking about mountain hiking?
“TAKE THE FIRST STEP – YOU’LL FIND SOMETHING TO SUIT YOU HERE!”
You can go mountain hiking in many ways and in many places and areas of the mountains. Take a day trip or hike marked trails between mountain huts. There are many opportunities and plenty of choices. The hiking season starts around Midsummer and continues into September.
Select mountain area
“DIFFERENT AREAS OFFER DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES”
The mountain area you choose to hike in will depend on the distance from your home, how you travel to the mountains and what accommodation you want. Different areas offer different opportunities, and it’s all about finding what best suits you. We’ll guide you to choose the right mountain and right starting point.
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Day and overnight hikes
“RENT YOUR OWN MOUNTAIN HUT AND DO DAY HIKES”
You can do day hikes in the mountains starting right outside your accommodation, or choose to hike between different mountain huts. Good signposting and marked trails makes it easy to find your way.
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Select accommodation
“MOUNTAIN HUT, MOUNTAIN STATION OR HOTEL?”
When you go hiking in the mountains, there’s a lot of different accommodation to choose from. Mountain hut, mountain station, guest house or hostel? Here are a few important things to think about when you book.
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Simple equipment
“DON’T OVERCOMPLICATE YOUR EQUIPMENT!”
You don’t actually need specific mountain equipment. The gear you use for outdoor activities at home is often fine for the mountains too. For all hikes, you need good footwear and to keep yourself warm, dry and fed. But we’ve created a simple equipment list for day and multi-day hikes.
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Be safe in the mountains
“PLANNING, COMPANIONSHIP, WEATHER AND GOOD HUMOUR”
Many things are done to help you feel safe in the mountains, but as a hiker you’re responsible for the biggest preparations.
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More good to know before your first mountain hike
Here you will find tips and good recommendations on recurring questions that are good to know before your mountain hike.
Mountain hiking with kids
“SHORT HIKES, SNACKS AND A LIGHT BACKPACK”
A mountain holiday – more than just hiking!
“MTB CYCLING, CANOEING AND FISHING”
Mountain hiking with your dog
“TAKE YOUR BEST FRIEND HIKING – ON A LEAD, OF COURSE”
Find your way easily
“MARKED TRAILS, SIGNPOSTS AND DISTANCES”
Frequently Asked Questions
If, after reading our information, you still wonder about something, maybe there are answers here.
How far can I hike in the mountains in an hour?
You can usually count on about three kilometres. But the terrain can affect this, as well as your fitness and how heavy your backpack is.
Can you drink water directly from the streams?
Yes, you can drink flowing water in the alpine zone.
Is there always mobile coverage?
The short answer is “No”. But in many popular areas, your mobile will work. The further out on the mountain you are, the greater the risk that you won’t have a signal.
Could I meet bears and wolves?
It’s very unlikely. Very few mountain hikers have ever seen a predator.
How much does a backpack usually weigh when you’re mountain hiking?
If you’re doing a day hike, just a few kilos. If you’re doing a multi-day hike, it depends on how long you’re walking for and what you’re doing about food. If you cook and buy food in the mountain hut shops, you save on the kilos. The weight of the backpack often varies a good deal between hikers. Some of them can handle 10 kg, while others can happily carry 15 kg. Try this for yourself at home. Never start a hike with a backpack that feels uncomfortable.
Do I have to wear hiking boots?
If you’re mountain hiking without a heavy backpack, you’ll manage fine with good training shoes. However, marshy areas can cause problems for people with low footwear. We recommend good boots if you’re doing a multi-day hike.
Are there always mosquitoes in the mountains?
Early in the season, there’s a bigger risk of mosquitoes than in the late summer. In the alpine zone there are fewer mosquitoes than in the birch forest. The problem of mosquitoes varies from year to year and from place to place.
How do I know if I’m on the right trail?
If you pay attention to the local signs, finding the right trail isn’t a problem. The signs show symbols for summer and winter trails. And for shelters, emergency telephones and mountain huts. There are also local information boards. And of course you’ll find a map useful.
Do I have to use a map and compass for mountain hiking?
No, you can hike calmly along marked trails in the Swedish mountains without a compass. And you don’t actually even need a map. But you’ll find the map useful in many other ways than finding your route.
Should I be worried about rapidly changing weather?
If you keep an eye on the weather forecast, a change in the weather shouldn’t come as a surprise. But of course here just like anywhere else a beautiful day can switch from sun to rain and it can suddenly be cold and windy. If you’re well prepared with rainwear and warm clothes, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Are there flowers on the mountains?
Early in the season, you’ll see amazing floral displays in the calcareous mountain areas. It’s recommended that you bring a small guide to mountain flora. Identifying mountain flowers is a fun part of the mountain experience.
When can I pick cloudberries?
This is impossible to answer, because in some areas you can’t pick any at all. When the conditions are right earlier in the year, you can usually find some in early August. But you also have to find them, and that’s not easy.
Will I see reindeer?
There’s a high chance of seeing reindeer. When you see reindeer, you must show consideration – don’t go too close to them or follow them.
