Where to go in Sweden

[emrock]

I'm planning on taking a trip next summer to some Swedish Wilderness, but not having been to Sweden before I'm not sure where to go. I plan do some reasonably long distance walking/backpacking with my lavvu, and had thought of doing a section of the Kungesleden. However I want to go somewhere with plenty of forest (partly for my stove, partly because I love woods) and where I might be able to hire a canoe for a couple of days? Any ideas?

Emma

 

[CACTUS ELF]

Hi
Never been to Sweden so cant help really, but it looks really nice.

Have a look here:

http://www.travelnotes.de/scandi/kungs/kungs1.htm


Have a great time and post some pics if you get chance

Google has the answer to getting a canoe, or just bulid one in the woods you'll be in

 

[Twodogs]

Beware of the naked flame fire ban in summer , sorry for the negative reply

Twodogs

 

[DavidJT]

Beware of the naked flame fire ban in summer , sorry for the negative reply

Twodogs

Is that in national parks? I might be wrong, but my understanding was that in summer it was generally ok in Sweden, but not in Norway?

 

[emrock]

what about a box stove with a chimney?

Anyway back to the question at hand. Has anyone any recommendations? Has anyone here got any experience of Swedish Lapland?

 

[Martti]

However I want to go somewhere with plenty of forest (partly for my stove, partly because I love woods) and where I might be able to hire a canoe for a couple of days? Any ideas?

To my mind, "plenty of forests" plus "canoe" equals Finland. You could find Saimaa and Päijänne lake districts quite suitable for your needs.

 

[emrock]

To be clear, I meant the canoe merely as an option for a day or two. mainly I intend to do hiking, as I really enjoy long distance walking.

 

[PropThePolecat]

Take a look at Glaskogan National Park. It's pristine forested wilderness with many lakes to paddle on and big enough for long distance hikes.

Swedish Lapland, ie. Kungsleden, is generally speaking more of a tundra/sub-arctic kind of wilderness.

 

[Labrador]

Hi Emma,
Sweden's a big country & generally has something for everyone although I would recommend either Halsingland or Dalarna, lots of forest, plenty of water & a realistic possibility of seeing some amazing wildlife (moose, bear, etc). I've noticed you're from East Anglia, there are good connections from Stansted to Stockholm Vasteras (Ryanair) from where you can easily get to the "near north" & across to the Karlstad area (where a certain Mr Mears is known to vist with a film crew).
If you have a look at my blog you'll get an idea about Halsingland & don't forget a telescopic fishing rod or better still, a multi-section fly rod!
All the best,

Martin

 

[horsevad]

I'm planning on taking a trip next summer to some Swedish Wilderness, but not having been to Sweden before I'm not sure where to go. I plan do some reasonably long distance walking/backpacking with my lavvu, and had thought of doing a section of the Kungesleden. However I want to go somewhere with plenty of forest (partly for my stove, partly because I love woods) and where I might be able to hire a canoe for a couple of days? Any ideas?

Emma

Long distance walking:
In the National Parks in Swedens Far North you could (with some ease) do a 14-day hike without meeting another person. Padjenta (198,400 ha) and Sarek (197,000 ha) are some of the more mountainous, Muddus (50,000 ha) and Sjaunja (285,000 ha) are deep and ancient woodlands with endless forests crisscrossed with lakes and streams.

Avoid Muddus in the height of the mosquito season - they can be quite intense there.

Kungsleden traverses some of the most beautiful swedish nature; but can be rather crowded at some places. If you set out to enjoy solitude you will probably not enjoy the more popular stretches of Kungsleden.


The "unsung" canoe "paradise" of Sweden is Rogen National Park. Vast areas with lakes and streams, but the terrain requires some portages.



Google Map Links:

Canoe launching point / Parking Place at "Kjäringsjövällen" near Rogen:
http://goo.gl/maps/IpdnK

Center Valley of Sarek - "Rapadalen". Some say it is the most beautiful piece of nature in Europe:
http://goo.gl/maps/pe3el

Padjelanta (Which in Saami means "the high land"):
http://goo.gl/maps/e7Hh7

Muddus:
http://goo.gl/maps/kSI5n

Sjauna:
http://goo.gl/maps/mZMdB


General Information about the National Parks in the Far North of Sweden (Lapponia) :
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Lapponian_Area,_Sweden
http://pinterest.com/PinsofSweden/swedish-lapland-europe-s-last-wilderness/



Let me know if you want more specific information about any of the places....


//Kim Horsevad

 

[norm]

Hi
Abisko national park in lappland - good for hiking the kungsleden and straight forward to get to - just don't do what we did and "illegally" wild camp in the park! turned out we were only 100 metres from the boundary marker... The woods up there are mainly the birch alder scrub woodland of the arctic tundra - the real trees are a few hundred miles south. we travelled around by train though and it was very easy (and pretty good value in 2009...) there are lakes there too - don't know about canoe hire?

There are many lakes in the forests further south - mora and östersund were on our trip.

enjoy

jamie.

 

[RonW]

There's plenty of water and woods around all over the country, as long as you avoid urbanised areas.
Since it will be your first trip here I'd suggest the Värmland/Dalarna/Jämtland-areas. Plenty of possibilities for hiking, hiring canoes, small, quite campings (usually NOT the kind you'd see in mainland Europe) and touristorganisations who can help you with your search for info and it is relatively easy to reach. Plane to Oslo or, as said, Skavsta, than hire a car and drive for an hour or 3.
Generally there is not a problem with open fires, as long as you use common sence. It might be in dry periods though.

 

[emrock]

I think I'm warming to the ideal of a week or two of walking and canoeing in Varmland. Any recommendations for specific areas?

Also couple more questions. Can you wild camp in Swedish National Parks? and is it generally ok to hire a canoe alone?

 

[DavidJT]

Have a look here...

http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/Things-to-do/Nature--Outdoors/Swedens-national-parks/

and here

http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/en/Inspiration/1/Hiking-trips1/

 

[emrock]

thanks! i'll check them out