Not everyone expects to find such outstanding natural wealth so close to the densely populated countries of Central Europe, barren mountains, turbulent rivers, spellbinding primeval forests, miles and miles of beaches and vast, glittering archipelagos.
Sweden has an abundance of experiences of nature for all occasions and tastes, from extreme adventures to utter peace in the wilderness.
Canoeing in the light of dawn over mirror-calm bays, trip skating from the heart of the capital, Stockholm, out to deserted exquisitely-beautiful icescapes, scooter safaris through the cold arctic night under skies filled with the spectacular Northern Lights, snowboarding in shorts under the midnight sun or tranquil hiking tours with refreshing swim breaks in rippling mountain streams – the only limit to your level of adventure is your own imagination.
In Sweden nature is sacred
Swedes have a particularly intimate and loving relationship to their treasured nature, which has involved us working hard over a long period in order to make it conveniently accessible to everyone. One feature of the special relationship Swedes have to nature is our unique, deep-rooted Right of Public Access which gives all people the right to stay virtually anywhere in the countryside, as long as you behave in a respectful and responsible manner.
Swedish nature is easily accessible, whether you are travelling in a group or by yourself, regardless of whether you are an experienced wilderness adventurer or a regular city dweller in pursuit of a moment’s relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
You can choose from staying in your own tent, in a modest mountain cabin, in a family resort with access to all conceivable types of service. The variety and options are endless. Perhaps this is the reason why so many of the visitors that have discovered Swedish nature decide to return year in year out.
Laponia is a conglomeration of four national parks in western Lapland, included on Unesco´s World Heritage List for its unique nature and as a historic site for Sami culture.
As the current solar storm makes the skies light up in northern Europe now is the time to head to northern Sweden to view the spectacular Northern Lights. Experts predict that the Northern Lights will shine at the brightest levels seen for 50 years in 2012!
Hiking and trekking in Sarek National Park rewards the visitor with magnificent, unspoiled vistas. It lies in the Laponia World Heritage Site in northern Sweden and is one of Europe’s last remaining wildernesses.
The King’s Trail (Kungsleden) is the legendary 425 km-long hiking, trekking and skiing trail that winds its way from Abisko in the north to Hemmavan in the south, taking in the high alpine terrain and Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain. Abisko is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.
Stockholm Archipelago – a vast, fan-shaped maritime world of more than 24,000 islands, islets and skerries, of which only about a thousand are inhabited.
Hundreds of canoeing routes criss-cross Sweden from north to south. Endless archipelagos await those seeking the adventure of sea kayaking. Swedish waterways offer everything from serene gliding to white-water adventure.