Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [31]
Be sure you are healthy and feel comfortable walking for a sustained period.
Obtain reliable, up-to-date information about physical and environmental conditions along your intended route, and stock up on good maps.
Be aware of laws, regulations and etiquette regarding wildlife and the environment, including Sweden’s allemansrätten (right of public access to the countryside; see opposite).
Walk only in regions and on trails within your realm of experience.
Be aware that weather conditions can change quickly in northern Sweden: even in summer, prepare for both cold and warm conditions.
Before you set out, ask about the environmental characteristics that can affect your walk and how local, experienced walkers deal with these considerations.
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THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC ACCESS
Allemansrätten, the right of public access to the countryside, is not a legal right but a common-law privilege. It includes national parks and nature reserves, although special rules may apply. Full details in English can be found on the website www.allemansratten.se.
You’re allowed to walk, ski, boat or swim on private land as long as you stay at least 70m from houses and keep out of gardens, fenced areas and cultivated land. You can pick berries and mushrooms, provided they’re not protected species. Generally you should move on after one or two nights’ camping.
Don’t leave rubbish or take live wood, bark, leaves, bushes or nuts. Fires fuelled with fallen wood are allowed where safe, but not on bare rocks (which can crack from the heat). Use a bucket of water to douse a campfire even if you think that it’s completely out. Cars and motorcycles may not be driven across open land or on private roads; look out for the sign ej motorfordon (no motor vehicles). Dogs must be kept on leads between 1 March and 20 August. Close all farm gates and don’t disturb farm animals or reindeer. Off-limit areas where birds are nesting are marked with a yellow or red-and-yellow sign containing the words fågelskydd – tillträde förbjudet.
If you have a car or bicycle, look for free camping sites around unsealed forest tracks leading from secondary country roads. Make sure your spot is at least 50m from the track and not visible from any house, building or sealed road. Bring drinking water and food, and don’t pollute any water sources with soap or food waste.
Above all, remember the mantra: ‘Do not disturb, do not destroy.’
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Equipment
Hikers should be well equipped and prepared for snow in the mountains, even in summer. Prolonged bad weather in the northwest isn’t uncommon – Sarek and Sylarna are the most notorious areas. In summer you’ll need good boots, waterproof jacket and trousers, several layers of warm clothing (including spare dry clothes), warm hat, sun hat, mosquito repellent (a mosquito head-net is also highly advisable), water bottle, maps, compass and sleeping bag. Basic supplies are often available at huts, and most lodges serve meals (but check first, especially outside of high season). If you’re going off the main routes you should obviously take full camping equipment.
Equipment can usually be hired from the STF, but don’t rely on this. If you need to replace gear, try the small STF lodge shops or the nationwide chain Naturkompaniet (www.naturkompaniet.se). It’s a Swedish-only website, but click on ‘butiker’ and you’ll find a list of stores.
Information
Information in English is scarce – the best source is the youth-hostel organisation Svenska Turistföreningen (STF; Swedish Touring Association; 08-463 21 00; www.svenskaturistforeningen.se), one of Sweden’s largest tour operators. Most of its publications are Swedish-only, but STF staff will answer questions and provide information in English by phone or email.
For nonmountain walking, address enquiries to Svenska Gång-och Vandrarförbundet (SGVF; Swedish Walking Association; 031-726 61 10; svenskgang@vsif.o.se).
MAPS
STF lodges sell up-to-date maps, but it’s a good idea to buy