July 29, 2023 | Posted by misfitwanders | Adventures, Hiking, Lifestyles, Nature, Sweden, Traveling, Trekking
Snuggled up in my sleeping bag, I begin to hear a chorus of birds waking up for the morning. Nature begins to fill with a buzz of life as we have morning tea and steaming hot oatmeal. Our small propane burner comes in handy on nights and day trips in nature. We relax while we listen to the music of the wilderness. Wild camping in Sweden really lets you take a breather from the day in and day out of a busy life. It’s so peaceful and a great way to step away from the bustling streets. Since Sweden is a country full of nature, it makes it easy to go on an adventure, like wild camping. Some of the great places may not be too far away from the city!
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Sweden is one of the Scandinavian countries, where Vikings used to roam. There are over 10.42 million people (2021) that reside in this country and 70% of it is covered in forests. With so much nature and over 100,000 lakes within Sweden, it would be hard not to go exploring in the nature. Since Swedes care a lot about nature, they have turned their electricity mix target into “100% fossil free” energy. Plus, 52% of Sweden’s trash is burned and is turned into energy. While the 47% is recycled, thus helping its’ wilderness even more. Only 1% of it of Sweden’s trash goes to landfills. If you talk with a swede, you’ll find that they tend to go on walks, or venture out, no matter the weather.
While you venture in Sweden, you may notice everyone speaks Swedish, but about 86% of the population is fluent in English. Which makes it easier to travel through the country if you don’t know Swedish. This country even has its own currency and it’s called Swedish crowns, or in Swedish, kronor (krow nuh). You might see it as SEK or kr and that also stands for their money.
The most common animals to see really depends on where you are in Sweden. In Northern Sweden, you can see reindeer pretty often since Sami people own them and let them roam free. But that also depends on the season. In the middle of Sweden, as long as you are out in nature, you’re likely to see deer and possibly even a moose. Since I moved to Sweden, I have seen moose at least five times a year. But I live out in the forests, so that makes a difference. We see foxes quite frequently too. Which for us, that wasn’t so great since we had chickens. I couldn’t stand them being slaughtered by a fox anymore. So we decided to give them away to some friends that live at a place that’s not infested with foxes. Nowadays, we live in another place in the forest, and here our neighbor is a farmer with cows. So, wildlife isn’t as common as it was before.
Wild camping in Sweden out in the nature will make your chances of seeing wildlife higher. Just be wary, the animals are wild. You should keep your distance. And if you have food, be sure to keep it contained and don’t litter.
This is my favorite law in Sweden. Allemansrätten means the right for public access or the right to roam. A person can go anywhere within nature as long as they keep their distance from houses and be respectful to the nature. You’re allowed to pitch up a tent in the same spot for up to 2 days, then you have to move to another place or finish your outdoor adventure.
There are restrictions to this rule though and that’s if you are on a protected area like a nature reserve, you can only camp in designated areas. The same can be for National Parks as well. Be certain that the area you are in isn’t someone’s yard as well. Stay at least 900 meters from homes. You can learn more about Allemansrätten at Visit Sweden.
If you plan on creating a fire, be sure there isn’t a fire ban at the time. In the case it’s okay, then use dead branches and sticks. A good saying that they have for this law is, “Do not disturb, do not destroy.” Check out the Crisis Information website to learn about which areas in Sweden have a fire ban. Once you leave a spot, be sure to take trash and all of your belongings with you. While you wander in the wilderness, you can bathe in the pristine lakes, berry pick, and mushroom pick when you’re wild camping in Sweden.
You may be wondering, what is wild camping in Sweden? Well, this when you’re out in nature and you camp out using a tent wherever you want as long as you have respect for mother nature. Since you’re camping in the wilderness, it’s considered wild camping. You might go on a day long hike or for several days, and in that case you would definitely need a tent and camp out in nature. While you do this, don’t forget that food and water are essential. Although, in Sweden you can drink just about any of the water because it’s so clean, don’t forget a water bottle. My hubby and I usually use lake water and boil it up for tea or to use in cooking while we wander through nature.
Make a plan for a camping trip and head to some of the wonderful nature spots within Sweden. When it comes to wild camping in Sweden, it works best if you have a dry ground. So, usually the best places for that would be in a forest. But many forests have mossy grounds. Or, if you really want to be adventurous, you can try to camp out in the mountains. But be aware, most of the ground is stone, so you won’t be able to stake in your tent to help it not fly away.
Sweden was actually the first country in Europe to make a National Park in 1909. Since then, they have created 30 National Parks. Turning an area into a National Park is the best way to protect the area and it’s seen as the strongest way to preserve it. Each one of these areas has a variety of nature and some even have different kinds of animals. There are swamp lands, to mountains, and of course, beautiful dense forests. But for wild camping, you must follow the signs and camp in the specified areas. This is to protect the wilderness and keep it preserved as much as possible with still letting people roam within it.
While you wander in a National Park, be sure to stay on the trails as much as possible. This is another way to help take care of the nature. If you go off the trail to find a good place to rest or have a meal, then that should be fine as long as you don’t litter or destroy the plantlife.
Some of the National Parks have caves waiting to be explored, while others have ancient forests that have been there for hundreds of years. Many of these places have information centers where you can sign up for a tour or learn more about the area. Check out NationalParksofSweden.se to learn more about all the National Parks.
There are over 5,000 nature reserves throughout Sweden. But you can only do wild camping in designated areas in these. This helps the nature stay untouched by humans and keeps it preserved. As you venture in a nature reserve, don’t forget this is a special land. Try to stay on the trails at all times and remember to not leave any trash behind or damage the wilderness. The reason that nature reserves are created is to help save the biodiversity there. If the area is left alone, it can repair itself from damage and this can help natural environments come back along with bringing back endangered species. If you see a sign or a post with a white star on it, that means the area is a nature reserve. Be sure to be aware of that when it comes time to do some wild camping in Sweden.
As of now, my favorite nature reserve is the enchanting Glaskogen. It’s in Värmland county, which is known for its abundance of nature. My hubby and I live in this county as well. So, it makes it easy for us to get to nature. Plus, I fell in love with this area because of the beautiful wilderness!
Glaskogen is one of those lovely places to visit if you love hikes, canoeing, or kayaking. If you plan on staying the night in this area and you want to use their showers, then there’s a fee. You can learn more about this place at Glaskogen Nature Reserve.
Wild camping in Sweden can get a bit chilly if you plan on seeing the northern lights. These are seen best in Northern Sweden. Many say the best place to see them is around the well-known town, Kiruna. You can learn more in my article, The Best Places for the Northern Lights in Sweden. Since winters in Sweden become long dark nights, it makes it easier to see the colorful dance in the sky from the northern lights. This light show can begin as soon as in September and last until mid-March. The weather really plays a huge role with being able to see them. So, try to plan your trip with that in mind. Clear nights around 10-11 pm can be the most playful time for the lights in the night sky. Another time that can possibly work to see them is 6am-2pm. But the times really depend when you visit northern Sweden and where you’re at. Winter solstice is December 21st, and it’s the shortest day, meaning that this is the time where it will be the darkest. During this time, it’s good to keep your eyes to the sky.
Värmland is a beautiful spread out area that’s covered in forests and lakes. Some of the most fantastic nature reserves are here along with some wonderful hiking trails. If you’re an outdoorsy person like me, then you’ll love this area along with all the great outdoor adventures you can have! You can check out a bit more about this place at Hiking Värmland, Sweden.
Venturing to this country isn’t fully experienced until you try out some wild camping in Sweden. Being surrounded by nature and living out in it will open your eyes to a new world. Take a journey into the wilderness and away from the bustling streets. This is a great way to calm your mind and connect with yourself as well. So, if you plan a trip to Sweden, don’t forget to go Wild camping!
If you’re wanting more things to do out in the wilderness, then check out Adventures in Sweden. I tell a bit more about the nature along with great places to visit. Including the Swedish tradition of berry picking or some of the great activities to do within some of the cities. Besides that, I talk about a Botanical Garden that’s in the city Gothenburg and about how it is to canoe/kayak in Sweden. Check it out here to learn about outdoor activities!
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