Part I of the Scandinavian Interior Series
In this article:
Know before you go
Sweden’s vast interior - a wild and rugged stretch of land that contains some of Europe’s last unspoilt wilderness areas and is characterized by the towering mountains, impressive plateaus, deep canyons, and endless forests of the Scandes mountain range. A place unlike any other region in Scandinavia this area offers some of the most diverse landscapes of Europe’s far north, marking the transition from the high mountains in the west towards the endless plains and rolling hills in the east and further covering several climate zones from subarctic in its far north to temperate in the south. Much of it remains sparsely populated until this day. Besides Östersund - one of Sweden’s few cities not situated near a coast - there are mostly smaller settlements scattered throughout this vast region. This leaves more than enough space for some of the country’s largest and most beautiful national parks, nature reserves, and wilderness areas that protect a wide range of landscapes and are home to many of Northern Europe’s iconic wild residents!
Considering the large area of Sweden’s vast interior, a road trip from Swedish Lapland in the north to the North Sea in the southwest means traveling large distances through some very remote stretches. The main road running through Sweden’s interior is European Route E45 - one of Europe’s longest continuous routes connecting Norway with Italy. Within Sweden, E45 runs for a total of 1.700km from Karesuando in Swedish Lapland to Gothenburg and the North Sea. In between you will traverse some of Scandinavia’s most remote and largely uninhabited areas where you will experience spectacular landscapes and enjoy some unparalleled peace and quiet that can be found almost nowhere else within Europe.
Depending on your exact travel route you will cover most of those long distances traveling along E45. However, it is well worth it to plan for one or the other detour along the way which will lead you even further into the endless forests and the rugged mountains. While many of the national parks, nature reserves, and wilderness areas covered in this guide are easily accessible by car, it is important to keep in mind that many secondary roads in Sweden’s remote backcountry are unpaved dirt roads. Even though most of them are in very good condition this means that you will have to allow for some extended travel times. Also, most of the sections along E45 will only be a two-lane road with minor parts around major cities resembling four-lane highways. Combined with the country’s strict speed limits, traveling the roughly 1.700km along E45 alone will most certainly take you several days - so allow for at least a full week in order to make the most out of this road trip and to allow for one or the other detour outlined in the following sections.
If you decide to take on the entire trip described in this guide and include all of the following attractions you will add roughly 700km to the entire trip which means that you should allow for at least 10 days to cover the 2.400km one-way! However, don’t let these distances and travel times discourage you from visiting as many of the described attractions as possible as you will be rewarded with spectacular landscapes that will let you experience some true Scandinavian solitude and - if you are lucky - lots and lots of moose and reindeer! And whatever kind of outdoor adventures you are looking for - be it hiking, canoeing, fishing, mountain biking, or skiing - be prepared to find it all right here along the way!
Planning your visit & getting there
In the following sections we will be traveling the E45 route southbound, starting in Lapland and finishing in Gothenburg. There are several opportunities along the way to cut this road trip short if you choose to only travel along a particular section of this route. With several airports located along the way and a variety of major roads intersecting E45, connecting it to major points of interest throughout both, Norway and Sweden, you will be able to include various individual sections of this road trip into your particular itinerary.
The Far North (detailed description in Part II):
In Swedish Lapland you will be able to start your trip at one of the region's two major airports flying into either Lulea or Kiruna, and then taking a rental car from there. E12 offers another point of entry, intersecting E45 near the Vindelfjällen nature reserve and connecting it with Umea airport. These access points are closest to a number of attractions described in detail in Part II, including:
Muddus National Park
Sarek National Park
Kungsleden: Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk
Central Sweden (detailed description in Part III):
Östersund is one of the largest cities in Sweden’s interior and offers various points of entry: The city’s international airport is located near E45, and E14 connects Östersund with Trondheim in Norway which is situated along E6 and with Sundsvall which is situated along E4 via a 3.5hrs or 2.5hrs drive respectively. These access points are closest to a number of attractions described in detail in Part III, including:
Västerbotten & Northern Jämtland
Östersund & Are
Härjedalen & Fulufjällets National Park
The South (detailed description in Part IV):
Near Karlstad E45 intersects E18 which connects this route with Oslo via a 2hrs drive and Stockholm via a 3.5hrs drive and therefore offers a direct link to two of Scandinavia’s largest international airports. The southern terminus of this road trip is situated in Gothenburg - Sweden’s second largest city - which offers another international airport as well as a ferry terminal connecting the city with Frederikshavn in Denmark and the European mainland. These access points are closest to a number of attractions described in detail in Part III, including:
Glaskogens Nature Reserve
Dalsland & Gothenburg
Best times to visit
While the entire region can make for a spectacular road trip throughout the year, both the large distance between Sweden’s far north and south as well as the large variety of terrains bring with it some distinct climatic differences. The mountainous regions of the far northwest in between Abisko and Hemavan are characterized by very cold winters and considerably cooler summers than the rest of Sweden. This means that those of you planning to hike in these remote regions should always be prepared for sudden weather changes and cold spells - even in the more popular summer months from June thru August. However, warm and sunny periods do exist and can last well into September.
As for the rest of Sweden, summer can bring extended periods of warm and sunny weather during those long summer days. And speaking of long days - those will also last well into September especially the further north you travel! While the summer weather can be quite pleasant throughout Sweden keep in mind the two following facts: First, when spending time outdoors remember that the sun will be out for a long time and can be quite intense, so make sure to pack enough sunscreen! Second, remember that summer in Scandinavia means all kinds of hungry bugs - so either pack enough bug spray or plan your trip for late summer or early fall around the end of August and early September as this will no longer be the peak season for mosquitoes. Winter on the other hand will guarantee you the best snow conditions for all types of winter outdoor activities as well as exceptional chances to spot those iconic northern lights! And no matter when you are visiting this area, keep your eyes open for moose along the way as they are active year round.
For a visual guide check out my video below. For more detailed information feel free to continue reading through the next parts of this series at the bottom of this page.
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