HIGH COAST HIKE
Experience the World Heritage.
All you need to know about the hike.
8:th – 10:th August 2024
High Coast Hike has evolved over more than ten years into one of Europe’s most popular hiking adventures. Whether you hike the Original or Wanderlust routes, you’ll experience the nature that has been voted Sweden’s most beautiful and the absolute highlights of the High Coast World Heritage Site.
On this page, you’ll find a more detailed description of the three days of hiking.
”This is the second year I come here alone and meet a lot of wonderful people.”
Sofia Nilsson
”We’ve put together an adventure that we ourselves love to embark on. This is going to be fun!”
Jerry, FriluftsByn
”The pleasant atmosphere is a major reason for coming back. It sort of happens naturally when you embark on a journey like this.”
Paul Wright
What is the High Coast Hike? »
Höga Kusten Hike is one of Europe’s most popular hiking adventures, taking place in August every year and attracting hundreds of participants from all over the world.
You can 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 the transport of some equipment, allowing you to hike with a lighter backpack.
You can find more information about each experience at the links below.
Over three days, we experience the absolute highlights of the World Heritage Site of Höga Kusten. We hike at our own pace through the spectacular nature, carrying our own equipment and tents to our shared campsites.
The adventure includes buses, guides, food, courses, after-hike activities, and lots of fun.
In the evenings, we can relax, socialize around the campfires, or attend one of the outdoor schools where you’ll meet some of Sweden’s leading outdoor companies.
The adventure begins with a cozy pre-evening and ends with a fantastic After-Hike in FriluftsByn.
More information about each experience:
The Original »
Wanderlust »
Wanderlust Light »
WEDNESDAY
Most people arrive on Wednesday for the Pre-evening in FriluftsByn to check in, pick up food and a map, and enjoy some social time.
At 8:00 PM, there's a briefing for the adventure where we go through everything you need to know. We also hold a digital briefing in the "High Coast Hikers" group before the adventure.
THURSDAY
You can check in in the morning if you haven't already done so, then the buses depart from FriluftsByn to the starting point. You hike at your own pace.
In the evening, we gather at Camp Tärnättholmarna, where you'll also get to meet Woolpower.
FRIDAY
You leave the campsite between 08:00 and 10:00. Then, you'll encounter mountains, sandy beaches, and deep forests in a delightful mix until you reach Camp Gyltberget.
In the evening, Naturkompaniet will hold an outdoor school session at the viewpoint Gyltberget.
SATURDAY
If you start hiking before 09:00 and follow the High Coast Trail towards the finish line at the summit of Skuleberget, you'll arrive shortly after lunch.
At the summit, we begin the celebration, and we meet again at the After-Hike in FriluftsByn from 17:00 to 23:00. The atmosphere only gets livelier as the evening progresses.
SUNDAY
The adventure includes a tent pitch in FriluftsByn between Saturday and Sunday, and most people choose to stay for the After-Hike.
Sunday morning, there's the option for breakfast in FriluftsByn, and it usually turns into a wonderfully relaxed hangout. Around lunchtime, some start heading home. Others stay longer to explore more of the High Coast.
What does previous participants have to say? Take a look.
FriluftsByn
Äventyret inleds och avslutas i härliga FriluftsByn mitt i hjärtat av Höga Kusten
Kustnära Berg
Under vandringen tar vi oss till några av världsarvets mest populära utsiktsberg.
Djupa Skogar
Vi inleder med att ge oss in i mäktiga Skuleskogens Nationalpark
Hav & Sjö
Vi vandrar i egen takt och det finns gott om tid för pauser och sköna dopp.
Kurser & Workshops
Under vandringens andra dag passerar vi flertalet små sandstränder.
Skön Gemenskap
Vandringen avslutar på toppen av världsarvet, därefter fortsätter firandet i FriluftsByn.
We hike at our own pace
We set out together, but we hike at our own pace to our shared campsites. However, it usually naturally forms into small groups where you can also choose to hike alone whenever you feel like it.
A nice mix of people
High Coast Hike attracts participants from all over the world. Those who come alone are usually between 25 and 60 years old. Some are experienced but enjoy company, while others are beginners and appreciate some support along the hike.
HIGH COAST HIKE
Pre-evening
Prepare for the adventure.
The adventure begins and ends in FriluftsByn at the foot of Skuleberget in the heart of the High Coast World Heritage Site. Most people arrive on Wednesday evening to settle in, check-in, collect their meals, pack their backpacks, attend the briefing, and relax with other participants.
HIGH COAST HIKE
The Hike Day 1.
Coastal mountains, ravines, lakes, and coastline.
On the first day, the Original and Wanderlust start from two different locations, but you will meet during the day and, of course, at the campsite. You will enjoy breathtaking views from coastal mountains and Slåttdalsskrevan. Perhaps you’ll take a dip in both lakes and the sea. This will be a fantastic start to our adventure.
Already on the first day, both The Original and Wanderlust routes take you to some of the absolute highlights of the High Coast – Slåttdalsberget, Slåttdalsskrevan, and Tärnättholmarna. The Original route also starts by ascending Stampberget.
Thursday morning, we board the buses that take us to the starting points of each route. Participants in The Original start from the Western Entrance to Skuleskogen National Park and head towards Skrattabbortjärnen and Stampberget before climbing Slåttdalsberget. Wanderlust starts from the South Entrance and goes directly up towards Slåttdalsberget.
Both routes converge at Slåttdalsberget, where we continue down towards Tärnättvattnet and out to the coast to our overnight camp at the beautiful Tärnättholmarna.
Best lunch spots: Stampberget, Slåttdalsberget, and Tärnättvattnet.
Best dinner spot: Tärnättholmarna.
Buses:
Buses depart from FriluftsByn to the respective starting points. The Original: 08:00AM Wanderlust: 08:30AM
Distance:
The Original: 16 km
Wanderlust: 8 km
Time: approximately 7 hours of hiking (excluding breaks)
Additional: Outdoor school with Woolpower.
When you arrive at the campsite, make sure to check in at the checkpoint. Then, just choose a lovely spot for your tent. After that, you can enjoy outdoor classes and activities with Woolpower, take a swim, relax by the campfire, or sit on the rocks right by the sea.
The first night, we camp out at one of the most delightful tent sites in the World Heritage Site – Tärnättholmarna. There’s plenty of space, and you can choose whether you want to camp near others or in a more secluded spot.
Tips: Have a cozy night under the stars »
At the first night camp, you can also meet Woolpower, who will share more about the benefits of wool and invite you to a crafting workshop where you can make your own outdoor products from leftover materials.
More info: Courses & Workshops »
Seating pads, slippers, mobile phone cases, or whatever else you can think of. There’s something meditative about crafting in the forest. Woolpower brings tools and leftover materials to the night camp.
Some people craft, others bathe, or lie on a rock stretching. Some scroll through the day’s photos while others gather in small groups, chatting and enjoying each other’s company. With participants from all over the world, there’s plenty to talk about.
The first arrivals usually start to reach the campsite around 4:00 PM, while those taking more breaks tend to arrive around 6:00 PM. The evenings are bright, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the campsite.
HIGH COAST HIKE
The Hike Day 2.
Bathing coves, deep forests, and mountains with breathtaking views.
We wake up by the coast and have another wonderful day ahead of us with new viewpoints, deep forests, and several sandy beaches inviting us to swim.
The Original and Wanderlust take different routes in the morning, but both groups meet around lunchtime at Kälsviken, a beautiful shallow lagoon perfect for swimming. We then continue together into Skuleskogen National Park before reaching the campsite at Dal. In the evening, we hike up Gyltberget for breathtaking views and meet with Naturkompaniet.
You start your hike from the campsite when you feel ready, but no earlier than 08:00 and no later than 10:00.
Participants in The Original begin the day by ascending through ”Lilla Slåttdalsskrevan” to Tärnättgrottan and Tärnättutsikten before descending back towards the coast.
Participants in Wanderlust continue along the coast, passing several small sandy beaches. Both groups meet at Kälsviken, which is a perfect spot for lunch.
We wake up with the sea as our neighbor. You have plenty of time, and you check out from the campsite and start hiking at your own pace between 08:00 – 10:00. There’s no group start; you simply set off when you feel ready, but no later than 10:00.
After checking out from the campsite, if you’re hiking The Original, you head up towards Tärnättutsikten through ”Lilla Slåttdalsskrevan” and past Tärnättgrottan. It’s a fairly steep start, but the reward comes when you hike with a view towards the campsite you just left and the archipelago of the High Coast.
If you’re hiking Wanderlust, you follow the coast and several beautiful small beaches until you reach Kälsviken’s long shallow sandy beach, where The Original also joins. This is where most people have lunch before we hike into the forest towards the campsite at Dal.
After setting up our tents, we hike up Gyltberget for an outdoor school session with Naturkompaniet and enjoy absolutely breathtaking views from Gyltstenen. This will be another fantastic day.
Best lunch spot: Kälsviken
Best dinner spot: Campsite at Dal
Distance:
The Original: 13 km
Wanderlust: 9 km
Time: Approximately 6 hours of hiking (excluding breaks)
Other: Outdoor school session with Naturkompaniet
Shortcut:
If you’re hiking The Original and find the first day too challenging, you can take a ”shortcut” and join the Wanderlust route.
Discovery Round:
If you’re hiking the Wanderlust and feel that the first day was too short, you can join The Original route up to Tärnättutsikten.
Around lunchtime, both The Original and Wanderlust routes usually arrive at Kälsviken, which is a perfect spot for lunch before we head towards the campsite.
Our second campsite is located in an open area at the foot of Gyltberget just outside Skuleskogen National Park. Here, we set up a mini-festival and kick off with some relaxed outdoor games.
Från nattlägret kan du ta en cirka 30 minuter promenad upp för Gyltberget där du även hittar den mäktiga Gyltstenen varifrån du har milsvid utsikt i alla riktningar. Direkt nedanför stenen håller Naturkompaniet sin kurs.
Some people unwind down at the camp, but most make their way up to the top of Gyltberget.
Our second campsite has access to running water. You can also take a hike to Dalsjöfallet for a natural shower.
At the top of the lookout mountain near the campsite, Naturkompaniet holds a course in outdoor life. Get loads of wise tips and tricks there.
HIGH COAST HIKE
The Hike Day 3.
The High Coast Trail, Skuleberget, and After-Hike
The final day and the shortest stage, but also one of the more challenging ones. Today, both The Original and Wanderlust follow the same route as we set out on the High Coast Trail towards Skuleberget. Feeling energetic? You can take a detour up to Getsvedjeberget, otherwise, you’ll soon reach the base of Skuleberget. Here awaits a steep ascent, but the reward is some of Sweden’s most beautiful views, and soon you’ll reach the finish line at the top of the World Heritage Site. After enjoying some time at the summit cabin, we head down to FriluftsByn for the After-Hike with campfires and live music.
We prepare for the final stage. Just like on the previous days, participants in Wanderlust Light have their equipment transported, this time back to FriluftsByn. However, on the third day, participants in both The Original and Wanderlust can also have parts of their equipment transported to FriluftsByn to facilitate the ascent of Skuleberget.
After about 5 kilometers, if you feel like you have more energy left, you can leave your backpack and take a 3 km detour up Getsvedjeberget, round trip. The views are reminiscent of halfway up Skuleberget, but what attracts hikers to this place is the ”Pulpit of the High Coast”.
We follow the High Coast Trail to Skuleberget. Then begins the dramatic conclusion. Choose between the Cave Trail or the Eastern Mountain Trail to the Top.
Grottstigen trail is much steeper and includes sections with stairs. You’ll manage it by encouraging each other and taking plenty of breaks. Soon, you’ll reach the top.
You can also leave your backpack with the guide before you start climbing Skuleberget. You’ll get your backpack back when you return to FriluftsByn.
That feeling. We’ve been out for three days, and now we’re here. It’s going to feel like a week with all the experiences and new acquaintances.
The final stage but the most dramatic ending a hike can have. From the campsite in Dal, we follow the High Coast Trail towards the mighty Skuleberget. You decide whether to hike the steep Grottstigen past the King’s Cave (not suitable with a dog) or the Eastern Mountain Trail which runs on the northern side of Skuleberget.
Once at the top, the reward awaits in the form of perhaps the most beautiful views of the World Heritage Site. After reaching the summit, we hike down the High Coast Trail to FriluftsByn where we celebrate the achievement at the After-Hike.
Distance:
The Original: 10 km
Wanderlust: 10 km
Time: approx 5 hours hike (exl breaks)
Discovery Round:
If you’re feeling energetic and eager for an extra excursion, after about 5 kilometers, you can take off your backpack and make a detour up and down Getsvedjeberget.
The first 7 kilometers are relatively easy to walk as we follow the winding path of the High Coast Trail. The last kilometers mark the emergence of Skuleberget.
After about 5 kilometers, if you’re feeling up to it, you can leave your backpack and take a 3 km detour up and down Getsvedjeberget.
The views from the top of the World Heritage Site are among some of Sweden’s most beautiful.
The Finish line. Hugs, photobombing, cheers, and sitting down with something tasty in the Top Cabin.
After enjoying the views from the top of Skuleberget, we hike down to FriluftsByn to celebrate our achievements.
High Coast Hike is one of Europe’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 great camaraderie in the High Coast World Heritage Site.
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.
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.