But what should you think about when you go out to the mountains, beech forests or farmlands? What do you need to pack and what is superfluous? Here are some tips and advice that can hopefully inspire more people to get out and experience our rich natural environments.

TRAILS FOR ALL LEVELS

Even if you want to go all in with your project, you should probably be a bit realistic. So look for easier hiking trails with shorter segments and where you can spend the night in a cabin or hostel. If you decide to hike in the mountains and are a beginner, a good alternative is to choose day trips that start from a mountain station. This way, you don’t need to carry your entire kit. 

PACKING LIST

Once you’ve hiked a few times, you have a better idea of what you need to bring and what you can leave at home. There are many good websites with lists of what to pack depending on where you hike, but here are some obvious things that need to be included in your kit:

• Warm clothes, extra clothes, rainwear
• Double layer socks to avoid abrasions 
• Properly fitting footwear
• Soap for washing, cleaning and doing dishes
• Food, drink, hiking stove, cutlery (spork), backpacker mug
• Plastic bag for trash
• Mosquito repellent, sunscreen and cap
• Basic medical supplies
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Knife, matches/fire striker
• Map and compass
• Toilet paper and gardening shovel
• Needle, thread and duct tape

RIGHT OF PUBLIC ACCESS

The right of public access is found in Sweden and in a few other countries and means that you can pass unhindered in rural areas. You must show consideration to landowners, animals and natural features, as well as to other people. There are certain restrictions, such as respecting private property and private property boundaries in the vicinity of housing. In national parks and preserves, the right of public access can be extended but sometimes also limited. Find out what applies before you leave. You can camp on private land, but away from property boundaries, cultivated fields or arable land. You can also fish with a rod in the Swedish lakes Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Storsjön and along the coasts. Salmon fishing along the Norrland coast is excluded. In other places, you may need the landowner’s permission or a fishing license. Remember to show consideration to nature and always pick up after yourself. Find out what rules apply in your country and where you should hike before you go out.

WHY SHOULD YOU HIKE?

In addition to fantastic nature experiences and even challenges with mosquitoes and blisters, hiking has many positive effects on the body. A stay in natural surroundings causes the heart rate to drop and the amount of the stress hormone cortisol to decrease. Hiking is both easy on the body and simple. Regular walking increases the burning of body fat, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and lowers your blood pressure. If you hike in more difficult terrain, more muscles are activated and your heart rate increases.

See all the main trials in Sweden (only in Swedish).

Have a great summer and good luck with your hike!