Self-guided Hiking on the High Coast (Sweden)

An established network of hiking trails make the High Coast a great destination for walkers

The needs of hikers are now served by established trail networks, clearly marked and well maintained:

• The High Coast Trail (Höga Kustenleden): A 135km-long trail running from Hornöberget in the south to Örnköldsvik in the north, the High Coast Trail is one of Sweden's Signature Trails. It's divided into 7 sections, all of which make wonderful day walks, and covers the whole of the Unesco World Heritage Area of the High Coast region.
• The World Heritage Trail (Världarvsleden): A 100km-long trail which offers alternative hiking routes through the High Coast regionunning from Hornöberget in the south to Örnköldsvik in the north, the High Coast Trail is one of Sweden's Signature Trails. It's divided into 7 sections, each of which make wonderful day walks, and covers the whole of the Unesco World Heritage Area of the High Coast region.

From rolling hills to steep valleys and sweeping archipelago vistas, the High Coast region offers some of Sweden's most beautiful and dramatic landscapes. Photo: LF.

Cosy base at the hiking centre and sauna each night

Your base will be a simple hostel-standard cabin at the hiking centre. All meals are included, with breakfast and dinner served in the hiking centre restaurant, and packed lunch made from the breakfast buffet to enjoy during each day's hike.

There is a strong focus on home-made food and local produce. Along with the warm welcome and hospitality of your local hosts, this may be as much a memorable feature of your trip as the walking!

You will be transferred each day to the start point for your day's walk, exploring different aspects of the High Coast region each day. Depending on the route, you will either walk back to end your tour at the hiking centre, or have transfer from the end point.

Each evening, a wood-fired sauna by the lake is available to soothe your muscles and prepare you for the next day's adventure, along with opportunities for wild swimming (the Swedes just call it "swimming"!) in the lake, a central feature of any Swedish summer holiday.

The four itinerary options showcase the variety and beauty of the High Coast area. Photo: A. Säterberg.

A choice of itineraries to suit your plans

Self-guided Hiking on the High Coast offers a choice of four itineraries, with duration from 4-7 days:

• Option 1 (4 days/3 nights): Two days of hiking, one on the High Coast Trail and one on the World Heritage Trail.
• Option 2 (5 days/4 nights): Three days of hiking, including both Option 1 hikes plus a day to climb the might Dalsberget for dramatic views over the surrounding landsape.
• Option 3 (6 days/5 nights): Four days of hiking, including the High Coast Trail, Dalsberget and two sections of the World Heritage Trail.
• Option 4 (7 days/6 nights): Five days of hiking, including the High Coast Trail, Dalsberget and three sections of the World Heritage Trail. Really immerse yourself in the landscapes of the High Coast region with this week of varied hikes!

Daily distances vary from around 12-20km. See under "Itinerary" for details.

In addition to beautiful scenery, the High Coast also has a rich cultural heritage, with attractive fishing villages to explore. Photo: LF.

NB: As for all our self-guided tours, min. 2 persons are required for safety reasons. For solo travellers, please see our range of options for guided hiking.

Daily Hikes:

Each day you will prepare a lunch packet from the breakfast buffet for lunch while out hiking. Each day's hiking ends with two-course dinner at the Hiking Centre and possibility for wood-fired sauna and dip in the lake to soothe your legs after a day on the trail.

Hiking on the High Coast Trail from Hårsäng to the Hiking Centre (all tours)

Start around 09.00 with vehicle transfer to the village of Hörsång, just north of the High Coast Bridge. Today's route follows the popular High Coast Trail, a varied hike over both hilly and flatter terrain, through forests, over hills, along gravel tracks and next to the sea.

There are a number of wonderful viewpoints over the water. Those with extra energy can make a detour to the hill viewpoint at Rödklitten, with its Iron Age fort remains. Your hike ends back at the Hiking Centre.

Distance: approx. 20km.

Hiking on the World Heritage Trail from the Coast to Bönhamn (all tours)

After breakfast, a vehicle transfer brings you to the coast to begin your hike on the World Heritage Trail through the "Rotsidan" nature reserve, with its landscape of beautiful, smooth cliffs dating from the Ice Age. Visit the 17th century chapel in the small fishing village of Barsta and take a coffee at the boathouse cafe in picturesque Bönhamn.

If you'd like to hike a little further, you can extend the tour with a 2km loop along the "Blue Trail", following the coast with views of the lighthouse.

When your walk is finished, you will be met for transfer back to the Hiking Centre.

Distance: approx. 12-14km.

Hiking from Dalsberget to the Hiking Centre (options 2, 3 & 4)

After breakfast, a short vehicle transfer brings you to the mighty Dalsberget. A path, steep at times, especially at the start, leads to the top, 333m above sea level, where you visit five dramatic viewpoints. As you ascend, the path becomes less steep, with the last part leading through beautiful old-growth forest.

On a clear day, from the top you can see the whole Nordingrå peninsula, with its landscape typical of the High Coast archipelago. You return down the hill the same way before hiking back to the Hiking Centre, first on a small road and then along the High Coast Trail.

This can be quite a challenging day, but overall time taken will typically be a little less than for some other day hikes.

Distance: total approx. 10km (climbing Dalsberget and return + 3.5km back to the hiking centre).

Hiking on the World Heritage Trail from Bönhamn to Själand (option 3 only)

After breakfast, a transfer brings you back to the fishing village of Bönhamn to continue your hike along the World Heritage Trail. The trail goes in the forest and along gravel roads, with possibilities to turn off to two beautiful viewpoints looking out to sea and the characteristic High Coast landscape around Nordingrå, Älgsjöberget och Själandsklinten.

You reach the village of Själand, with its popular garden centre, restaurant and shop. A transfer brings you back to the Hiking Centre.

Distance: approx. 12km.

Hiking on the World Heritage Trail from Norrfällsviken to Mjällom (option 4 only)

After breakfast, a transfer brings you to the fishing village of Norrfällsviken on the northern side of the peninsula. Parts of the walk today can be demanding, as you hike through the exposed and beautiful nature reserve right by the sea. You continue on the World Heritage Trail to Villmyrans nature reserve. Here in early summer the rare "nornan" orchid grows. You continue to end your hike in the village of Mjällom for transfer back to the Hiking Centre.

Distance: approx. 13km (possible to extend a little with alternative trail in the Nature Reserve).

Hiking on the World Heritage Trail from Mjällom to Högklinten (option 4 only)

After breakfast, you have transfer to Mjällom to continue your hike from the day before, for a climb to the top of Högklinten at 281m above sea level. Follow the new path to the top and take the gravel path down, which leads over one of the largest pebble fields in the world.

Parts of the hike today can be demanding. At the top there is a circular path giving views in all direction. When you return from your climb, transfer brings you back to the Hiking Centre for celebratory 3-course dinner for your last night.

Distance: Variable 5-10km (10km route is a variation, hiking up Högklinten and down the other side along the World Heritage Trail).

Included

• Accommodation:
  • 3-6 nights (depending on itinerary chosen) in the Annexe cabin at the hiking centre. Accommodation is hostel standard. The Annexe is divided into two cabins, each with one bedroom (sleeping 3-4 persons in bunk beds) and kitchenette/dining area. The two cabins share shower/WC facilities.
  • Bedding, towels and end cleaning are included.
  • Wood-fired sauna and lake swimming are available at the hiking centre after each day's hiking (sauna is not included on arrival day).
• Meals: All meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day. Lunch is a packed lunch prepared from the breakfast buffet to have while hiking. Dinners are two courses (except for final night of Option 4, which is three courses). Meals are served in the hiking centre restaurant overlooking the lake and food served has a focus on Nordic and locally sourced ingredients as far as possible. Drinks are not included but are available to purchase locally.
• Transfers:
  • Daily transfers to start point (and from end point if appropriate) for each day's hiking as per itinerary.
  • Transfer from Norgindgrå or Ullånger in connection with arrival and departure.
• Activities: 2-5 days' hiking as per itinerary. Maps and route descriptions are provided.

Cabin accommodation at the hiking centre (the Annexe is the middle of the three larger buildings in top photo). Photos: LF

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Alcoholic and other drinks (available to purchase at the accommodation).

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Suitable for adults with general good health and level of fitness who are used to walking in mixed terrain.

Hiking is generally moderate, but you should be comfortable hiking with light daypack at own pace for distances of up to 20km, including some hilly terrain (the hikes up Dalsberget and Högklinten, and also some parts of the Norrfällsviken-Mjällom hike, can be demanding).

What makes this "Easy-Medium"?

A choice of itineraries offers varying daily distances and level of challenge - some of the day hikes can be demanding. Hiking is from fixed base, with transfers as required to the start/end point of each day's hike and trails are clearly marked/easy to follow. Your local hosts will give additional advice each day before beginning your hike.

You will hike with only a daypack during the day, walking at your own pace, but the terrain is undulating/hilly and can be steep in parts or on certain day's routes.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Combine This With

This experience makes a good combination with the following:

• Self-guided Kayaking on the Ångerman River (3 or more days, 45 mins by bus)

Groups

This experience is also suitable for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a detailed written environmental policy.