Swedish Nature

Nature for everyone

With 68 million acres of forest, nearly 100,000 lakes, and a patchwork of mountains, rivers, coastlines and islands, Sweden has the great outdoors well and truly covered. In fact, just a sliver of the country is built up – the rest is ready to roam.

You’ll find around 400 registered hiking trails, perfect for exploring everything from lush woodlands to snowy peaks. But more than that, nature is deeply rooted in Swedish life. We know being outdoors boosts our wellbeing – it’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s a way of life. Our 72 Hour Cabin case study proves just how powerful a Swedish escape can be.

And thanks to Allemansrätten – the Right of Public Access – visitors are free to hike, cycle, swim, paddle, pick berries and even pitch a tent almost anywhere in nature. It’s a beautiful freedom, and one we’re proud to share.

Nature meets city life

Even in the heart of Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö or Luleå, nature is never far away. You’re rarely more than five kilometres from a national park, nature reserve or conservation area. In Sweden, urban blends seamlessly with green spaces – and often blue ones too. You can kayak through the city, cycle to a moose safari, or hike from your hotel door to the nearest forest or island.

Nature is also deeply woven into our accommodation options. From the Ice Hotel in Kiruna to The Wood Hotel in Skellefteå, and from Sami eco-lodges to stylish forest cabins, Sweden’s most unique stays are inspired by their surroundings – both in design and materials.

Activities in nature

From North to South, Sweden is rich in trails for every level of hiker or cyclist. Routes are clearly marked, and the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) looks after hundreds of rustic places to stay along the way. Long-distance paths like the 390 km Kattegattleden coastal cycle route or the legendary Kungsleden (King’s Trail) are divided into sections, making it easy to customise a trip. You can find more national cycle routes here.

Top tip: Look out for experiences with the “Nature’s Best” label – a mark of quality and sustainability.

If water’s more your client’s thing, Sweden’s got plenty of that too. Canoe or kayak through mirror-like lakes, wild northern rivers like the Torne or Lule, or explore the west coast’s fjord-like archipelagos. Bohuslän’s fishing villages are a seafood lover’s heaven, while the Stockholm archipelago’s 30,000 islands each offer their own character and charm. And don’t overlook Gotland – Sweden’s largest island with 800 kilometres of coastline and a blend of nature, culture and history.

Winter wonderlands

When the snow falls, the scenery shifts but the adventures keep coming. Åre and Östersund in Jämtland, Idre and Sälen in Dalarna, and Swedish Lapland’s Björkliden and Riksgränsen are home to top-notch ski resorts and thrilling winter experiences – they’re also Moutain biking meccas in the summer and autumn.

But it’s not all downhill – your clients can try cross-country skiing, long distance ice skating on frozen lakes, or a husky-led sled tour in the wilds of Vindelfjällen, Europe’s largest nature reserve. Cosy fires and hot drinks await at the end of the day, of course.