Take a train to reach some of Sweden’s most accessible hiking trails and discover the country’s varied nature and cultural sites. With train stations as your starting point, choose from a wide range of shorter day hikes and walks across Sweden.
Travel by train and enjoy hiking through Sweden’s forests, archipelagos, meadows and cultural landscapes. You’ll find a variety of shorter trails and loops. If you’re looking for longer adventures lasting three days or more, consider Sweden’s signature trails. These are often divided into sections, making them suitable for an easy day hike, perhaps as part of a city break.
Here are some of Sweden’s many idyllic trails, all close to a train station.
The Troll Lake, or Lake Trollsjön (Rissajaure) near Kiruna, is said to be Sweden’s clearest lake – a turquoise gem framed by dramatic mountain slopes.
Photo: Håkan Stenlund/Swedish Lapland
Låktatjåkka train station, near Kiruna, is the gateway to a striking natural landscape. The scenery shifts from mountain birch forests and dramatic rock walls to barren peaks and flower-filled meadows, making this Arctic Sweden destination a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts.
The five-kilometre trail to Lake Trollsjön, also known as Rissajaure, starts at the train station and follows the Kärkevagge valley to the lake’s remarkably clear waters, said to be the purest in Sweden. It’s worth lingering here before heading back the same way, perhaps enjoying a ‘fika’.
As the ascent is mostly gentle, the hike is considered easy and is suitable for families.
A peaceful stretch of the Isälvsleden trail in Västerbotten, where forest paths wind between pine trees and lakes.
Photo: Amanda Sveed/Visit Umeå
Discover Västerbotten’s nature reserves during the snow-free months and set off along the Isälvsleden trail, accessible via Hällnäs or Vindeln train stations. While the full trail covers around 60 kilometres, there are plenty of shorter sections to choose from.
From Vindeln, the trail follows a gentle gradient across Degermyrliden, continuing along the eastern edge of the village of Abborrtjärn before turning back. Starting from Hällnäs further north, you’ll find a shorter section across the undulating terrain of Hjuksåsarna, with views over the Vindelälven valley and the village of Hjuken.
The High Coast Trail offers a varied nature of meadows, mountains, lakes and forests.
Photo: Fredrik Lewander/Höga Kusten
One of Sweden's signature trails, the High Coast Trail runs through the entire UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Hornöberget to Örnsköldsvik. Divided into seven sections, the terrain includes a mix of steep cliffs, sandy beaches, deep forests, mountaintops and meadows.
Starting in northern Örnsköldsvik, you’ll pass several city landmarks, including the harbour, ski jumping hills and Stadsträdgården park. The trail then continues into the forests of Hörnsjön Nature Reserve.
The Örnsköldsvik–Svedjeholmen stretch of Section 7 is considered an easy hike and covers about 4.7 kilometres. To explore the full trail, continue south through all seven sections.
Åre is the largest and most advanced and divers alpine sports resort in Sweden and Northern Europe. In addition to great skiing, biking, hiking and paragliding, a variety of restaurants offering culinary experiences and shopping.
Photo: Niclas Vestefjell/imagebank.sweden.se
Åre in Jämtland is a well-known ski resort, and its hiking is just as impressive. There are trails for all levels, from one-hour walks to longer, more challenging hikes. Whichever you choose, you’ll be rewarded with views across the surrounding mountains and crisp mountain air.
Many trails start at Åre torg (Åre Square), near the train station. From here, you can hike to the summit of Åreskutan or take the cable car to begin your walk at a higher altitude. Åre also offers several family-friendly options, including trail 214b leading to the peak of Åreskutan and Toppstugan – Sweden’s highest café, where homemade waffles are served.
Flower meadow in the picturesque town of Tällberg in Dalarna, where all buildings are made of wood.
Photo: Visit Dalarna
Explore some of Dalarna’s most scenic spots on a walk around the idyllic village of Tällberg, set on a hillside overlooking Lake Siljan. The seven-kilometre trail winds through forests and village surroundings, offering a glimpse of the area’s cultural heritage.
Highlights include Digerberget – a good spot for a picnic with views over the lake – as well as the maypole field and Sturängen, a limestone-rich meadow where rare herbs and flowers thrive. For a swim in Lake Siljan, head to Tällberg beach.
Bruksleden Trail is divided into 27 sections of varying length.
Photo: Jonas Bilberg/Region Västmanland
Bruksleden Trail in Västmanland stretches from Västerås in the south to Avesta and Malingsbo in the north. Divided into 27 sections, the trail offers varied natural landscapes, peaceful lakes and extensive pine forests.
Section 6, an 11.4-kilometre stretch starting from Hallstahammar train station, is well suited to those interested in forest bathing. The trail continues along Lake Långsjön and leads to a shelter marking the end of this section, a good spot for a fika break.
The trail is also accessible from the train stations in Ramnäs, Surahammar and Fagersta.
Sörmlandsleden is a 1,000-kilometre hiking trail in Sweden's Sörmland region. It offers diverse landscapes and cultural sites. Here, hikers can enjoy camping, berry picking, and other activities. This is made possible by ‘allemansrätten’ – the right of public access – which gives everyone the right to enjoy Sweden’s outdoors. It is a right that comes with responsibilities – to treat flora and fauna and other people’s property with care. It can be summed up in the phrase ‘don’t disturb, don’t destroy’.
Photo: Emmie Bolmstedt/imagebank.sweden.se
Discover Sörmland, just south of Stockholm, via the Sörmlandsleden Trail. This diverse trail offers everything from deep forests and lakes to hills and meadows. The route is divided into several stages, many of which connect to train and bus stops.
Stage 6:1, for instance, runs from Huddinge train station to Hökärr and covers 13 kilometres. The slightly hilly route takes you through woodland and rocky terrain, with several medieval sites along the way, including castle remains and Gladö Mill, dating back to 1330.
This relatively easy hike offers a nature-rich experience with a strong sense of local history.
The popular destination Kinnekulle Grand Quarry is 40 meters deep and has its lowest layers of limestones from 400 million years ago.
Photo: Shauto/imagebank.sweden.se
Combine hiking with a scenic train journey in West Sweden. The Biosphere Trail runs for 140 kilometres along the southern shores of Lake Vänern, between Läckö Castle and Mariestad. It forms part of a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve and passes through forests and small towns.
Highlights include Läckö Castle and Stora Stenbrottet, a limestone quarry with sweeping views, locally known as the “Little Grand Canyon”. The trail is easily reached from Mariestad and Lidköping train stations and can also be combined with a journey on Kinnekullebanan, often described as one of Sweden’s most scenic train journeys.
In Sveafallen nature reserve you can walk past large boulders and craters formed by the ice age.
Photo: Degerfors kommun
On the border of Värmland, with Degerfors train station as your starting point, you’ll find the natural area of Sveafallen nearby. The five-kilometre loop trail 'Sveafallen runt' winds through pine forest in this nature reserve, encircling the small lake Bergtjärn.
The area features several traces from the ice age, including large potholes and boulders. Due to rougher terrain in some sections, the trail is rated moderate.
There is also an easier option – the one-kilometre Grytrundan loop – as well as a 250-metre trail suitable for people with disabilities.
Aerial view of the historical Kalmar Castle.
Photo: Malcolm Hanes/Johnér/imagebank.sweden.se
Kalmarsundsleden trail stretches across three municipalities and 200 kilometres along Sweden’s east coast. Sections through Kalmar are easily accessible and include landmarks such as Kalmar harbour, Kalmar Castle and Kalmar City Park.
Heading north or south from the city, you’ll find coastal routes along old country roads and former railway tracks. The trail is marked with orange signs on trees and stones, and passes several fishing hamlets, wind shelters and fireplaces.
The route also includes several popular swimming spots, including Vita Sand. It is well-suited to cycling, too, as much of the route is on paved surfaces.
Discover the beautiful surroundings while hiking different sections of the Skåneleden Trail.
Photo: Mickael Tannus/Tourism in Skåne
One of Sweden’s signature trails, Skåneleden, spans much of southern Sweden and covers around 1,600 kilometres. It is also well-suited to shorter walks, as the trail is divided into six subtrails.
Section 7 on the SL5 Öresund subtrail is an easy 16-kilometre hike from Helsingborg to Rydebäck. The route combines green urban areas with coastal scenery and medieval landmarks such as Kärnan Tower.
Örby Ängar Nature Reserve is one of the highlights, with meadows, heathland, wetland forest and sandy beaches. There are many more sections of Skåneleden that are easily reached by public transport, highlighting how easy it is to access hiking trails across Sweden.
