HIKING IN SWEDEN –GUIDE– Last updated: 28 September 2017. Contact: welcomeprogramme@gu.se Outdoor maps of the Gothenburg area are available both for your smartphone, and printed on waterproof and highly durable Tyvek. • Calazo: Southern Gothenburg and Northern Gothenburg. Available on Tyvek or digitally through the Calazo iPhone app. • The National Land Survey of Sweden terrain map: Available on Tyvek under the name Utekartan (GG03/ GG04 covers Gothenburg, GG01/GG02 covers surrounding areas) or digitally through the app Topo GPS. FINDING YOUR WAY IN THE OUTDOORS Ticks become active as soon as the temperature rises above 5°C (41°F), usually from March until the end of October or later in the Gothenburg region. Swedish ticks may carry and transmit diseases such as Borrelia and, in rare cases, TBE (Tick-borne Encephalitis). Avoiding tall grass and wearing clothes with long sleeves and trousers with the legs tucked into your socks reduces the risk of being bitten by a tick. Always check yourself for ticks after spending time in the outdoors. TICKS THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC ACCESS (ALLEMANSRÄTTEN) Swedes and visitors to Sweden have the right to roam freely in the Swedish outdoors thanks to Allemansrätten, so long as we do not disturb, and do not destroy. Sometimes it is difficult to know what that means in practice. Not leaving any trace behind is a good start, but here are some additional guidelines. We may not: • damaging living or dead trees, for instance by breaking off twigs or branches for a camp fire • approach and disturb animals, especially nesting birds • make loud noises (play loud music etc.) that can disturb animals or other people • make a camp fire when the municipality has issued a fire ban (camping stoves are usually okay) • make a fire on a cliff surface (the heat may cause the cliff face to split) • fish in lakes and rivers (you can buy a temporary license, “fiskekort”, though) • approach private homes or walk in private gardens or on cultivated land • pick berries or fruit from private gardens or cultivated land • leave any rubbish behind – everything we bring into the outdoors, we must also bring back with us when we leave We are allowed to: • Pitch 1-3 tents and stay for 1-2 nights in the same spot • Pick wild berries and mushrooms • Collect fallen twigs and branches • Walk, cycle, swim, ski, paddle canoe etc. almost anywhere Special rules may apply in city parks and in protected nature such as nature reserves and national parks. Common rules in specially protected areas include prohibition to pitch a tent, light camp fires (camping stoves are often accepted), cycling, and canoeing. The rules depend on what kind of nature is being protected, though, so be sure to check the local rules ahead of time before heading into a nature reserve or national park. Welcome Services does no accept liability for any printing errors, omissions, or changes. Always check opening times, especially during holidays. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this guide.
Outdoor maps of the Gothenburg area are available both for your smartphone, and printed on waterproof and highly durable Tyvek.
• Calazo: Southern Gothenburg and Northern Gothenburg. Available on Tyvek or digitally through the Calazo iPhone app.
• The National Land Survey of Sweden terrain map: Available on Tyvek under the name Utekartan (GG03/GG04 covers Gothenburg, GG01/GG02 covers surrounding areas) or digitally through the app Topo GPS.
FINDING YOUR WAY IN THE OUTDOORS
Ticks become active as soon as the temperature rises above 5°C (41°F), usually from March until the end of October or later in the Gothenburg region. Swedish ticks may carry and transmit diseases such as Borrelia and, in rare cases, TBE (Tick-borne Encephalitis). Avoiding tall grass and wearing clothes with long sleeves and trousers with the legs tucked into your socks reduces the risk of being bitten by a tick. Always check yourself for ticks after spending time in the outdoors.
TICKS
THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC ACCESS (ALLEMANSRÄTTEN)Swedes and visitors to Sweden have the right to roam freely in the Swedish outdoors thanks to Allemansrätten, so long as we do not disturb, and do not destroy. Sometimes it is difficult to know what that means in practice. Not leaving any trace behind is a good start, but here are some additional guidelines.
We may not: • damaging living or dead trees, for instance by breaking
off twigs or branches for a camp fire• approach and disturb animals, especially nesting birds • make loud noises (play loud music etc.) that can
disturb animals or other people • make a camp fire when the municipality has issued a
fire ban (camping stoves are usually okay) • make a fire on a cliff surface (the heat may cause the
cliff face to split) • fish in lakes and rivers (you can buy a temporary
license, “fiskekort”, though) • approach private homes or walk in private gardens or
on cultivated land • pick berries or fruit from private gardens or cultivated
land • leave any rubbish behind – everything we bring into
the outdoors, we must also bring back with us when we leave
We are allowed to:• Pitch 1-3 tents and stay for 1-2 nights in the same spot • Pick wild berries and mushrooms • Collect fallen twigs and branches • Walk, cycle, swim, ski, paddle canoe etc. almost
anywhere
Special rules may apply in city parks and in protected nature such as nature reserves and national parks. Common rules in specially protected areas include prohibition to pitch a tent, light camp fires (camping stoves are often accepted), cycling, and canoeing. The rules depend on what kind of nature is being protected, though, so be sure to check the local rules ahead of time before heading into a nature reserve or national park.
Welcome Services does no accept liability for any printing errors, omissions, or changes. Always check opening times, especially during holidays. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this guide.
The outdoors occupies a very special place in the lives and hearts of most Swedes. Thanks to Allemansrätten (the right of public access), the Swedish outdoors are incredibly accessible and many Sweden enjoy the peace and free mushrooms and berries that nature has to offer.
Änggårdsbergen is a roughly 3.2km² centrally located nature reserve with many walking paths and varied nature. Some paths are pram-friendly, although the nature reserve is hilly. There are no marked hiking trails, but signs at major trail intersections point to entrances/exits and larger lakes. Maps are available for free (nature reserve folder) or for purchase (detailed map and orienteering map) in the store by the Botanical garden main entrance. Enter through the Botanical garden, or any of several other entrances.
www.goteborg.com/en/anggardsbergen
Vättlefjäll is a large nature reserve north of Gothenburg a short walk from bus stop “Kryddnejlikegatan”. There are several well-marked hiking trails in the area of various lengths. You are allowed to pitch a tent within the reserve and there are several shelters if you want to spend the night. Maps are sold at Akademibokhandeln in Nordstan and at the Tourist information office at Kungsportsplatsen.
www.goteborg.com/en/vattlefjall
Stora Amundön is an island connected to the main land via a bridge. A hiking trail runs its circumference. It is a popular place for barbecues and swimming, including snorkelling along an underwater snorkelling route. Nearest bus stop: Lillövägen (Göteborg).
Skatås/Delsjöarna is a popular area for running and walking. Many trails to choose from of varying lengths, several of them pram friendly. It is possible to rent a canoe in Delsjön.
www.goteborg.com/en/delsjon
Bokedalen is a nature reserve north-east of Gothenburg, roughly 12 minutes by train. Beautiful beech tree woods in the autumn. A 4.2km hiking trail with take you through the best parts of the reserve. Take the commuter train to “Jonsered” and walk from there. Bohusleden section 5 passes through this area. See what a fellow international student has to say on the University’s blog.
https://goo.gl/Pxh8vy
Sandsjöbacka is a large nature reserve south of Gothenburg with lots of well-marked hiking trails for shorter or longer day hikes. Sandsjöbacka is easiest to reach from bus stop “Askims Svartmosse”, but there are other options as well. The 22km Sandsjöbackaleden (trail) runs the length of the nature reserve, but for the greatest experience include a detour to see Bräckan. Maps are sold at Akademibokhandeln in Nordstan and at the Tourist information office at Kungsportsplatsen.
https://goo.gl/nn2FQH
Vildmarksleden (the wilderness trail) is a 42km hiking trail between Skatås and Hindås. Walk it in sections or spend the night in your tent or in one of several shelters along the trail. The trail is well marked, but it is always advisable to bring a map. You are never far from civilisation on this trail and mobile phone reception is generally good. It is best to start in Hindås as there are only a few trains stopping there each day. The eastern terminus is just across the street from Hindås train station and very easy to find.
http://vildmarksleden.eu/home_ny
Extensions: Vildmarksleden connects to Sjuhäradsleden in Hindås, for those who want to continue hiking east towards Borås and onwards.
Bohusleden is a 370km long-distance hiking trail on the west coast of Sweden, running from Lindome just south of Gothenburg to Strömstad. It is divided into 27 sections that work well for day hikes. In the north where it runs close to the Norwegian border it connects with Norwegian hiking trails. Bohusleden is generally well marked, but it is always recommended to bring a map. Sections 1-6 are easy to reach by public transport from Gothenburg. After that it gets progressively more difficult. If you are looking for a wilderness experience, however, you may nevertheless want to try sections 8-9 through Svartedalen nature reserve.
http://bohusleden.se/
Easy to reach sections (three day-hikes or one overnight hike)1. Section 4 (Kåsjön–Jonsered) - 9km2. Section 5 (Jonsered–Angereds kyrka) - 11km3. Section 3 (Skatås–Kåsjön) - 8.5km(we recommend that you finish in Jonsered or Skatås due to more frequent tram and train departures.)
INTRODUCTION DAY HIKES AND OVERNIGHT HIKES
RECOMMENDED OUTDOORS
N MB OK
OK
OK
OK
Beach
NMB
OK
Beach
Beach
Beach
Sandsjöbacka:Sisjön:(Sandsjöbacka)
Beach
N
MB
OK
High wildernessrating Camping allowed Orienteering
