HIGH COAST HIKE
Come solo.
Hike with newfound friends.
It’s time for a new adventure!
Do you yearn for an adventure amidst breathtaking nature where you can also join fellow wanderers whenever the spirit moves you? Look no further. Each year, the High Coast Hike draws adventurers from every corner of the globe, with many returning time and again for the wonderful camaraderie.
We’ve gathered some tips for you traveling solo.
What is the High Coast Hike? »
The High Coast Hike is one of Europe’s most popular hiking adventures, taking place every August and attracting hundreds of participants from around the world. Many come alone to experience the wonderful sense of community – naturally forming small groups where you walk and chat, yet there’s also room to walk solo if you prefer.
You choose between two distances – the classic The Original and Wanderlust, which is slightly shorter, allowing for more time for breaks. You can also opt for Wanderlust Light, where you receive assistance with transporting some equipment, enabling you to hike with a lighter backpack.
You’ll find more information about each experience at the links below.
Over three days, we explore the absolute highlights of the World Heritage Site High Coast. We hike at our own pace through the spectacular nature, carrying our own gear and tents to our communal night camps.
The adventure includes buses, guides, food, workshops, after-hike activities, and plenty of fun shenanigans.
In the evenings, we can relax, hang out with others by the campfires, or attend one of the outdoor schools where you’ll meet some of Sweden’s leading outdoor companies.
The adventure kicks off with a cozy pre-adventure evening and concludes with a lively After-Hike in FriluftsByn.
More information about each experience:
Who typically participates?
People from all over Sweden and the world. Before you know it, you’re sitting on a cliff chatting with folks from Gothenburg, Östersund, Berlin, Washington, and Tokyo.
Those who come alone are typically between 25 and 60 years old. However, there are also younger and older participants.
Look what previous participants have to say about the adventure.
”This is my second year coming here solo, meeting loads of amazing people..”
Sofia Nilsson
”We’ve crafted an adventure that we ourselves love to embark on. This is gonna be a blast!”
Jerry, FriluftsByn
”A major reason for returning is the incredible vibe. It sort of just happens when you set out on a journey like this.”
Paul Wright
Gorgeous Nature
Over three days, we’ll experience some of the absolute highlights of the World Heritage site.
Chose your adventure
Pick from three distances – The Original, Wanderlust, and Wanderlust Light.
Chill Community
We hike at our own pace to communal campsites where we unwind, take a dip, or join workshops.
Camping life
Bonfires, just chilling on a cliff, or scaling a scenic peak. It’s your call.
Outdoor Schools
During the hike, we’ll be visited by outdoor companies sharing tips and tricks.
After-Hike
We wrap up at the top of the World Heritage site before descending and continuing the celebration at the Outdoor Village.
Experience nature your way
We embark together, yet we hike at our own pace to our communal night camps. However, it usually naturally forms small groups where, of course, you can also choose to hike alone when you feel like it..
A delightful mix of people
The High Coast Hike attracts participants from all over the world. Those who come alone are typically between 25 and 60 years old. Some are experienced but enjoy the company, while others are beginners who appreciate a bit of support along the hike.
10 BEST TIPS
for those of you venturing solo
1. Join the participant group on Facebook. Here, you’ll put faces to fellow solo adventurers. We also share ongoing tips that will make your adventure smoother. More info: High Coast Hikers »
2. Choose a distance you think suits you. If you opt for the Original and find it too tough, you can take a shortcut on day two, while those choosing Wanderlust can opt for ”experience loops” if you want to hike a bit longer than the planned route.
3. Review your gear – what you already have and what you need to buy new, borrow, or rent. More info: Mandatory Equipment »
4. Check out travel and accommodation. If you enjoy company, you should stay in or near the Outdoor Village. Many choose to camp both before and after the adventure, but there are also cabins available to book. More info: Travel, accommodation & food »
5. Learn to handle your gear and prepare physically. It’s important that you can handle your tent and outdoor kitchen. It’s also important to prepare yourself physically, primarily your back and knees by hiking with a backpack regardless of which distance you choose. More info: Tips before Hiking »
6. Join the pre-party on Wednesday evening. It’s a relaxed opportunity to get to know other hikers. An estimated half of all participants come solo. More info: Pre-party »
7. Attend the briefing. If you’re one of the many returning, this may not be as relevant. But if this is your first time joining, you should attend the briefing on Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM. We hike along clearly marked trails and there will be guides at the front and back of each adventure as well as along the trail. But it can still be helpful to get acquainted with the map and some tips before the adventure.
8. Adapt the hike to your daily form. It’s good to know that if you choose the Original and find it too tough on the first day, you can take a shortcut on day two, while those choosing Wanderlust can opt for ”experience loops” on both day two and day three if you find the hike too easy or too short.
9. Dare to ask. During the briefing, we’ll go through the adventure and the common questions. But even before the adventure, you can ask questions in the participant group on Facebook. There, you’ll get answers from both us organizing the adventure and previous participants. During the adventure, you’ll also meet several guides who are there to answer questions that may arise. In other words, there are many opportunities to ask questions.
10. Attend the After-Hike – one of the highlights of the adventure. The hike ends at Skuleberget and the peak of the World Heritage High Coast. There’s usually a great atmosphere already at Toppstugan before we continue down to Friluftsbyn for the after-hike with live music. More info: After-Hike »
Bonus: Experience more of the High Coast while you’re here anyway. If you come by car, Wednesday or Sunday are perfect opportunities to explore the High Coast. If you stay in the Outdoor Village, you’re also close to the boats to the archipelago, the High Coast Kayak Center, and the Via Ferrata.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Borrow together gear, learn how it works, then head out for hikes with your pack a few times a month. The rest will fall into place when you arrive at the Outdoor Village for the pre-party.
You choose a distance that you think suits you. But it’s worth knowing that you can adjust during the adventure – the Original has shortcuts if it gets too tough, and Wanderlust has ’experience loops’ if you feel like hiking a bit farther and experiencing more.
The High Coast Hike begins and ends in the Friluftsbyn, right in the heart of the High Coast. You can choose between two distances – the Original and Wanderlust – where we hike at our own pace and at the end of the day reach our communal campsite.
The Original »
The Original Adventure is a journey that requires some preparation but offers more vistas. We hike 10 - 16 kilometers per day before reaching our communal campsite.
Wanderlust »
For those who want to hike shorter distances and take more breaks while still experiencing magnificent nature. Approximately 10 km of hiking per day, still offering a challenge.
Wanderlust Light »
For those who want to hike with lighter gear as you receive assistance with transporting tents and sleeping bags to the campgrounds. Perfect for the curious beginner.
The High Coast Hike is one of Sweden’s most popular hiking adventures and has been attracting both curious beginners and experienced hikers from all over the world since 2013. Welcome to a wonderful experience filled with breathtaking nature, outdoor schools, and delightful camaraderie in the World Heritage Site of the High Coast.
I read about the High Coast Hike on Facebook and decided to join. It turned out to be an absolute blast of an adventure, where I alternated between hiking solo and tagging along with other participants.
Jenny Green, Stockholm
I read about the High Coast Hike on Facebook and decided to join. It turned out to be an absolute blast of an adventure, where I alternated between hiking solo and tagging along with other participants.
Emma de Jong, Amsterdam
I read about the High Coast Hike on Facebook and decided to join. It turned out to be an absolute blast of an adventure, where I alternated between hiking solo and tagging along with other participants.
Jonas Nilsson, Luleå
THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO JOIN
The magnificent nature, the pleasant atmosphere, the opportunity to learn something new, and just to relax. There are many reasons to join the High Coast Hike. Click below to find out more.
Press play and get a feel for what you are about to experience.
WHAT ADVENTURE SUITS YOU BEST?
Many come alone and return year after year for the pleasant camaraderie. Others bring friends, family, or partners and combine time together with participating in the community. Here, we have gathered some tips just for you.
COME BY YOURSELF, MEET NEW FRIENDS >>
Many come alone, but meet new hiking friends along the way.
COME BY YOURSELF, MEET NEW FRIENDS >>
Many come alone, but meet new hiking friends along the way.
BRING YOUR FRIENDS>>
This is the adventure you always talked about that you should do. Here are our best tips!
BRING YOUR FRIENDS>>
This is the adventure you always talked about that you should do. Here are our best tips!
CONVINCE YOUR PARTNER >>
You are going to have a really great time. But let us help you with a few tips along the way.
CONVINCE YOUR PARTNER >>
You are going to have a really great time. But let us help you with a few tips along the way.
ADVENTURE WITH KIDS >>
Bring your kids along for the adventure you all will remember for a lifetime. Here are our best tips for you.
ADVENTURE WITH KIDS >>
Bring your kids along for the adventure you all will remember for a lifetime. Here are our best tips for you.