Sweden's Wild Side Part I - Getting Started

Part I of the Scandinavian Interior Series

In this article:

• Introducing Sweden's backcountry

• Best times to visit

Introducing Sweden's Wild Interior

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!

Swedish Lapland

Glaskogens Nature Reserve

Considering the large area of Sweden’s vast interior, exploring the areas of Swedish Lapland in the far north, Härjedalen in the remote mountains of central Sweden, and the Värmland backcountry in southern Sweden 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 lie some of Scandinavia’s most remote and largely uninhabited areas where you can experience spectacular landscapes and enjoy some unparalleled peace and quiet that can be found almost nowhere else within Europe.

While many national parks, nature reserves, and wilderness areas can be easily reached by car, it is important to keep in mind that the access roads only take you to the park’s boundaries. Unlike in the U.S. or in some parts of Canada, most of Scandinavia’s National Parks have not experienced such heavy development, with paved roads leading deep into the wilderness areas, and numerous developed campgrounds situated along the way. Instead you will find large networks of hiking trails and some mountain huts out here. Besides 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 when visiting these regions and parks. However, don’t let this discourage you from exploring as much of Sweden’s remote interior as you can as you will be rewarded with spectacular landscapes where you can experience some true Scandinavian solitude and - if you are lucky - lots and lots of moose and reindeer!

In the following sections I will take you on a journey through the stunning landscapes of my favorite National Parks and nature reserves, exploring the vast interior of two out of Sweden’s three wider regions: Norrland (Northern Sweden) and Svealand (Central Sweden). Along the way I will highlight the best places to spot Scandinavia’s iconic wildlife, or to simply enjoy some peace and quiet, based on personal experiences from my recent outdoor adventures. Over the past years I have returned several times to enjoy the pristine wilderness of Scandinavia - something that can be found nowhere else in Europe. During these visits I have done it all to explore Sweden’s stunning outdoors, including hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing.

Planning your visit & getting there

There are several airports as well as long-distance routes connecting Sweden’s interior globally. In Swedish Lapland you are 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 and Sarek National Park.

Östersund is one of the largest cities in Sweden’s interior and offers an international airport that is located near E45. Besides that E14 connects Östersund with Trondheim in Norway and with Sundsvall out east. Here you are closest to Västerbotten & Northern Jämtland as well as the Härjedalen area.

Scandinavia’s busiest airports are located near Oslo, Stockholm, and Gothenburg, all of which can be reached from the remote interior of central Sweden within a few hours. This includes the Glaskogens Nature Reserve as well as Dalsland.

While the entire region can make for a spectacular visit at any time of 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 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 may 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 no longer is the peak season for mosquitoes. Winter on the other hand guarantees 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.

Winter in Härjedalen

Aurora Borealis

For a visual guide and some ambient inspiration check out my videos below. For more detailed information feel free to continue reading through the next parts of this series at the bottom of this page.