Sweden’s EPIC Road Trip You’ve NEVER Heard Of

Sweden’s EPIC Road Trip You’ve NEVER Heard Of

What if I told you there was an incredible road trip in northern Sweden that you’ve never heard of? A trip that will take you to some of the most beautiful waterfalls, rapids, hikes, and panoramas in all of Sweden. We just finished traveling the wilderness road or Vildmarksvagen in Swedish, and we’re ready to share 
everything that we learned so that you can have an off-the-beaten path, incredible adventure and culture-packed road trip through northern Sweden. Having traveled extensively, I 
actually think the Wilderness Road is one of the best places to visit in all of Europe. The Wilderness Road or Vildmarksvägen in Swedish is a road trip in northern Sweden that was created to guide tourists 
through some of the most stunning scenery. The 500 km circular route starts in Stromsund, 
a small town 6 and 1/2 hours north of Stockholm. From there, it goes west and runs alongside 
the Norwegian border before going across the Stekenjokk Mountain Plateau, which has some very 
unique claims to fame. It then turns to the east, running alongside multiple stunning lakes 
towards Vilhelmina. We spent 5 days driving the Wilderness Road, and we could easily 
have spent twice that amount of time. But the itinerary that we’ve laid out in 
this video will take you to all of the main sites and it can be done in 5 days as 
long as you’re okay with a few longer days. Now, let’s get into the good stuff and talk about all the places that you should 
visit along the wilderness road. The first stop on your road trip is going to be 
Hallingsafallet. This is an incredible waterfall that plunges into a canyon at a 90° angle before 
flowing into a huge lake that stretches all the way back to Stromsund town. I’ve been to Niagara 
Falls and I can honestly say that Hallingsafallet is way more impressive. There’s a bridge that 
goes right across the top of the waterfall, so you can get a sense of the drop and intensity 
of the water. On both sides of the bridge, there are plenty of easily accessible 
viewpoints, so you can fill up your phone with pictures of the waterfall from 
every angle without even breaking a sweat. 99% of the visitors we saw never left the top 
of the falls, but they were all missing out on an easy but topnotch hike that runs along the 
canyon. Just take a left before the bridge and follow the little path that runs all the way down 
to the lake. It’s only about 2 km each way, but there are so many little viewpoints along the way 
that you’ll want to pop into. And with those, I think you can easily add an extra kilometer to the 
hike. Once you’ve reached the lake, you can reward yourself with a refreshing dip in the crystal 
clear, cool water. You’ll have most of the hike to yourself, and I’d be surprised if more than one 
or two people actually made it down to the lake. We’ve covered a lot of important 
information in this video so far, and the best parts are still to come. To help you save time, planning, and to not miss out on any of the 
highlights of the Wilderness Road, we’ve created a travel guide that includes 
our custom Wilderness Road Google Maps. This guide gives you access 
to all of our recommendations and tips that we learned along the way. Our custom map can be easily uploaded 
into your own personal Google Maps. That way, you can find all the 
best spots when you’re on the go, just at the tap of a finger. The map includes the road trip 
route and over 30 location pins for the top attractions, viewpoints, and hiking trails. Our map also includes pins for campgrounds, and wild camping spots where 
you can spend the night. You can find the link to our 
guide in the description below. The next stop on your wilderness road adventure 
is the extremely creatively named Stora Blasjon or Big Blue Lake in English. And if you’ve ever 
watched Muppets Treasure Island, then that name is going to have you singing Sailing for Adventure 
on the Big Blue Wet Thing over and over again. Okay, now that you have a Muppet song stuck in 
your head, let’s talk about what there is to see around the Big Blue Lake. There is a ton to see 
and you could easily spend a week just traveling around this massive lake, swimming and exploring 
new places all the time. But since I promised you a 5-day road trip, we’re going to limit ourselves 
to one day. The first place you should visit is Brakkafallet, which if you remember your Swedish 
from our first stop, is a waterfall. In this case, it’s actually two waterfalls, the upper and the 
lower waterfall. It’s a somewhat strenuous hike if you’ve been spending too much time on the couch 
realizing how fantastically inappropriate Always Sunny in Philadelphia is. But luckily, it’s short 
and there are plenty of opportunities to pause along the way to take pictures of course and not 
to catch your breath. Once you’ve completed the obligatory hike to the top, you can show off your 
manliness or womanliness by going for a dip in the refreshing aka cold pools at the bottom of the 
lower waterfall. Unless you enjoy being covered in itchy bumps though, I really recommend that you 
go swimming in the earlier part of the day just so you don’t get any mosquito bites in awkward 
places. The area around Stora Blasjon is known for hiking and there are several other hiking 
trails that you could visit if you have more time in the area. Some of these hiking areas are 
the Korallgrottans and Bjuralvens nature reserves. Now that you’re all clean and refreshed after 
your swim at Brakkafallet, it’s time to head off to the Sami church town of Ankarede, which 
is also located along the shore of the Big Blue Lake just a bit further east. Here you can 
explore the old church along with the traditional Swedish cottages that are situated around it. A 
little bit further along the lake, you will find several recreations of the traditional Sami 
huts that are a little bit reminiscent of the Native American teepees. But the Sami huts are 
designed to be permanent. Although the church and the town are pretty in their own right. The main 
reason I recommend visiting Ankarede is that you can hike to Lejarfellet, which is, you guessed 
it, another waterfall. To get to the waterfall, you need to cross a bridge where there’s a little 
museum. Don’t worry. If museums are as appealing to you as a dinner alone with your mother-in-law, 
you can politely avoid making any eye contact with the museum staff and just speed walk across 
the bridge. Once you’re across the bridge, make sure you turn left and then you’re all set. 
The hike runs along one of the tributaries to the Big Blue Lake with lots of little boardwalk 
sections and great views of the water. Once you reach the falls, there’s a little 
bench where you can enjoy a well-deserved picnic with an incredible view. If you’re feeling 
really adventurous, you can continue along that path for quite a distance and you’ll eventually 
reach Ankavatnet, which is another large lake. The next stop on your wilderness road adventure 
is the Stekenjokk Mountain Plateau in Swedish Lapland. It’s the highest paved road in Sweden, 
reaching an elevation of 867 m above sea level. As soon as you start gaining elevation, you’ll 
notice the landscape changing from the dense pine and birch forests into an arctic tundra. 
The contrast is so vivid that even if you never left the car, the drive itself would still be 
a highlight of this trip. Apart from the views, this landscape also holds importance for the 
indigenous Sami people. Stekenjokk is a summer feeding ground for reindeer and the Sami herd 
the reindeer into the area during the spring and summer months. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a 
chance to spot some reindeer when you’re there. If you’re wondering where all the trees went once 
you hit the plateau, well, Stekenjokk sits in a subarctic climate due to its high elevation. The 
distinction is surprisingly clear. And even when the trees are able to grow, you’ll notice that the 
birch trees especially are more stunted and they rarely grow straight. This is partially due to the 
high winds that can occur on the plateau. In fact, the highest wind speed ever recorded in Sweden 
was on the Stekenjokk plateau. As a side note, you can only drive the complete Wilderness 
Road loop between the 6th of June and the 15th of October. The rest of the year, the road 
going through the Stekenjokk Plateau is closed, and that’s just due to the heavy amount 
of snowfall. Unlike the previous stops, there isn’t a big waterfall hike on the Stekenjokk 
Plateau. But don’t worry, there is still ample opportunity for you to stretch your legs. There 
are two great areas that you can explore right from the main parking lot at the old Stekenjokk 
Mine. Depending on how fit you’re feeling, you can either choose to cross the road from the parking 
lot and hike up the hill to get some fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. 
There aren’t any defined hiking trails here. So, just follow the snowmobile paths to the top and 
you’ll recognize those because they’re denoted by a red X on a pole. And if you follow those, you 
really can’t get too lost. If you want a more high-tech solution, then the hike is also marked 
in the AllTrails app. If you want pretty views, but without the leg burn and insist on having 
a daily dose of waterfalls, then option number two is your friend. From the parking lot, follow 
the gravel path that leads towards the old mine. Once there, you’ll reach what looks like a huge 
lake, but it is in fact part of the old mine. There are several gravel paths that crisscross the 
lake, but I suggest that you start by following the path that heads north. As you get nearer 
the main road, you’ll come across Stikkenfall, which is a small waterfall with a small lake, and 
that’s perfect for a quick dip. It is a bit of a scramble to get down to, but when we were there, 
a mom and her two kids had made it down. So, even those of us who have indulged in one too many 
ice creams should be able to make it down safely. If you still have energy to burn, then you can 
head back the way you came. But instead of going to the parking lot, you can cross the dam and head 
towards the wide open alpine meadow. Once there, you can pretty much walk for as long as your heart 
desires and then just turn back. One thing to note about hiking in Stekenjokk is that you need to 
be on the lookout for signs regarding special protection areas for ground nesting birds. The 
hiking ban normally only applies for one month between June and July, and there’ll be plenty of 
signs about it, so you really can’t go wrong. Even when there are protections in place, you can 
still do the two hikes that we just mentioned. If you want to discover hidden 
gems and save time planning, then make sure to subscribe to our channel. Our insider tips will help 
you find all the best spots and get the most out of each location. If you can tear yourself away from the 
stunning alpine landscape of Stekenjokk, your next stop is going to be Klimpfjall 
in order to visit, well, you guessed it, another waterfall. But this time, you’ll also 
get to see seven rapids and perhaps even a troll along the way. To make it to Kullafallet, 
which is the waterfall you’re aiming for, you are going to have to do some hiking. The good 
news is that the hike is very pretty and not busy at all. When we were there, we only ran into 
one other couple. The hike also incorporates a cute little trail created by the locals in the 
area which is called Trollstigen or the troll path. Along the way, you’ll find lots of rocks 
painted by local children to look like trolls, hence the name. You can choose to just hike 
to the waterfall and then backtrack if you want the shortest hike. We opted to make it 
a loop by combining the waterfall hike with another trail and that was definitely worth it. 
The loop is not very well marked in the area, but it is plotted on the AllTrails app, so 
you can just follow that and avoid getting lost. Because the area is quite moist, there are 
a ton of mosquitoes and biting flies around. So, this is a hike that should definitely be finished 
before 5:00 p.m. And even then, you really should wear long trousers and long sleeves. If you don’t, 
you’ll end up looking like me and spend the hike slapping yourself silly and still end up with 
legs that look like you contracted chickenpox. The Sami church town of Fatmomakke really caught 
me by surprise with its cultural richness and absolutely stunning location. Getting to the 
town involves driving 6 km on a gravel road, which initially made us debate whether we should 
visit Fatmomakke at all since we didn’t want to risk damaging our friend’s trailer. Thankfully, 
we decided to go for it and the dirt road was actually in really good condition. And 
whilst we were only going 40k an hour, everybody else was doing 80. The town of 
Fatmomakke is one of the most prominent Sami church towns in Sweden. And the community 
has done an incredible job of preserving the historical buildings. If you’re like me and 
enjoy learning about the history of an area, you’ll also be happy to know that there are plenty 
of signs explaining the historical usage of the different buildings along with more general 
information about the Sami and also the local area. In fact, there was so much information that 
my wife had to put a time limit on how long I was allowed to spend in each building. Let me know 
in the comments if you’re also a history nerd. Fatmomakke also has several reconstructions 
of the traditional huts that the Sami used to live in when they were visiting the town. We were 
lucky enough to see one that’s under construction and it was fascinating to see the engineering 
behind what from the outside looks to be a very basic structure. The centerpiece of the town is 
of course the church, the current iteration of which was built in the late 1800s. Although the 
design can’t compete with the famous cathedrals of Europe, it has a view over the lake that even 
Notre-Dame can only dream of. As you return to the parking lot, there is a hike that you can do which 
follows the lake through the Marsfjallet Nature Reserve. We did about 30 minutes of the hike and 
then turned around. It’s a pretty enough trail, but once you gain an elevation and leave the 
side of the lake, there’s just not much to see. If you’re up for a multiple day hike, there is 
some spectacular scenery, but it’s just way too far for a day hike. Nevertheless, if you need 
some exercise, there are many worse places to go for a walk, even if you just go for a little 
bit. If you have any questions about traveling the Wilderness Road or just visiting Sweden in 
general, then make sure you leave a comment below, and I will answer all your questions. Our next 
stop is a quickie but definitely worth stopping for. Trappstegsforsen or step ladder rapids is an 
impressive set of cascading rapids that straddles the Kultsjo river. We actually saw these rapids 
for the first time 3 years ago in the middle of the winter when they were completely frozen over. 
The contrast between the winter and the summer is huge. In the winter, I was able to stand in the 
middle of the road and take pictures to my heart’s content. That is most definitely not the case in 
the summer where the parking lot is usually full and there’s a little kiosk as well, just in case 
you need an ice cream. While Trappstegsforsen is considered to be one of the main highlights of 
the Wilderness Road, and it is very impressive, there just isn’t much to do here apart from taking 
way too many photos, of course. Since there aren’t really any hiking opportunities here to get to 
a different viewpoint, we recommend moving on to our next stop. And once you’re there, you’ll 
get to hike alongside another set of impressive rapids. The Dimforsen rapids are a bit of a bonus 
round, but after hiking the short trail along the river that leads to them, you’ll definitely feel 
like you’ve discovered a hidden gem. The trail is fairly hidden and a bit overgrown, but there are 
a few small signs that’ll point you in the right direction. There’s also a sign saying that you 
hike the trail at your own risk, which sounds ominous, but as long as you don’t jump in the 
river, I don’t really see what makes this trail warranty that disclaimer. The rapids are really 
pretty and you can even walk pretty far out into the river along the cliffs. So it feels like 
you’re standing in the middle of the rapids. Although not as large as Trappstegsforsen, 
these rapids are way more our cup of tea. Dimforsen doesn’t have an official parking 
lot. So just park in one of the pull-offs along the road. These are always denoted by 
a big blue sign with the letter P in white. If you download our custom map, we’ve also marked two great spots along the rapids where you could even wild 
camp with your motorhome. If you’re planning a Europe road trip, you should 
definitely try and add the wilderness road to your itinerary. But before you pack your swimsuit 
and plug in the first destination on your GPS, you should pause and think about when you want to 
travel the Wilderness Road. As we mentioned, the whole Wilderness Road loop is only open between 
the 6th of June and the 15th of October. The rest of the year, you won’t be able to pass over the 
Stekenjokk Plateau due to the heavy snowfall. Although you can, and we have inadvertently 
driven other parts of the Wilderness Road during the winter, it’s really not the same experience. 
Most campgrounds are closed, and most hikes are completely inaccessible unless you want to go 
snowshoeing. The busiest time of year is going to be August. This is when almost every single 
European country is on vacation. Scandinavia and especially the Wilderness Road is a very popular 
travel destination with German and Dutch camper vans. So, if you’re a bit flexible on your dates, 
I would recommend traveling around the middle of July. The weather will have warmed up nicely and 
all the snow will be gone from the hiking trails and the trails will have had a bit of a chance 
to dry from the snow melt. We traveled the road in the middle of July and had perfect weather 
the entire time with warm but not hot days and nights that were cool enough so that we could get 
a good night’s sleep. It was a bit busy since a lot of Swedes were on vacation, but as soon as we 
got past the parking lot or the main attraction, we usually had the hikes to ourselves. In June, 
there’ll be less tourists, but the weather will be very hit and miss. There’s also a good chance 
that there’ll still be some snow in Stekenjokk and some of the hiking trails might also still 
be a bit soggy from the snow melt. September and October will be the least busiest times, but the 
weather will be cooler, which is great for hiking, although less ideal for swimming. If you 
push it to the very end of the season, there’s also a good chance that you’ll be running 
away from the snow as you drive back south. Now, let’s talk about what clothing you should 
pack for this road trip. Don’t worry, this is most definitely not fashion advice, but unless 
you want your arms and legs to look like you have an infectious disease, then I strongly recommend 
that you keep watching. Trust me, I know Northern Sweden is beautiful, but if you’re planning on 
spending any amount of time outdoors, you need to know that some of the local residents are a bunch 
of blood suckers. We all know about mosquitoes, and they’re both ample and large in the north. But 
there are also several types of biting flies. Now, these flies aren’t satisfied with just doing their 
job discreetly and leaving you with an itchy bump. Instead, they use their razor-like mouths to bite 
into your skin in order to drink your blood. Now, if that sounds like it hurts, it does. It’s not 
in an emergency room kind of way, but more like if your sibling thought it would really funny 
to pinch you kind of way. The good news is that there’s a really easy way to cheat those flying 
monsters off a meal. All you have to do is cover up your arms, legs, and feet. For your top half, 
I recommend a thick long-sleeved cotton t-shirt. If it’s too thin, the flies can still bite through 
it. And that’s something I’ve learned firsthand. A cotton flannel shirt just like this is also 
part of the standard uniform up north and it does a great job of keeping biting bugs off you. 
For your bottom half, I really recommend steering clear of shorts. I’m absolutely a shorts guy 
myself, but I had to constantly soak my legs in cold water for 2 days after we got back just 
because they had been destroyed by biting insects. So, do yourself a favor and invest in a pair of 
good hiking trousers. Every single outdoor shop in Sweden sells them, and you can get all kinds 
of different price ranges and fits. For your feet, I would steer clear of wearing sandals and stick 
to thick hiking socks, ideally wool, and a pair of good hiking boots or hiking shoes. Now, none 
of the trails that we mentioned in this video are particularly technical, but a little bit of 
extra grip definitely comes in handy when you’re leaning over the edge of the riverbank trying to 
get a better picture of the rapids. I would also recommend bringing some warm clothing. The north 
of Sweden tends to get one heat wave a year where the temperatures will get up to about 30° during 
the day. But as soon as that heat wave is over, the nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 7° 
with daytime temperatures sometimes struggling to break 20°. These are the temperatures that 
we’ve seen in August, and you should absolutely expect cooler temperatures if you visit in 
September or October. Last but not least, make sure that you pack swimwear and remember 
to take it with you when you go exploring. There are so many great spots to go swimming 
along the Wilderness Road and to quote van life YouTubers Philly and Keely, you never regret a 
swim. Driving Vildmarksvägen is an incredible trip. But if you’re visiting Europe as a US 
tourist or even Canadian or Australian tourist, then there are a few things that you need to be 
aware of before planning a European road trip. Watch our video to learn about 
some of the big differences between driving in North America 
versus driving in Europe. Some of the differences are small, but others could land you with a hefty fine. Or in the worst case, you 
could even ruin your car.

Travel Sweden’s Wilderness Road (Vildmarksvagen) and discover the ultimate Sweden travel adventure that few travelers ever see.

✅ Save time planning your Wilderness Road trip with our custom Google Map & travel guide 👉 https://hopefulexplorers-shop.fourthwall.com/products/save-time-planning-your-trip-to-swedens-wilderness-road

Discover the best Sweden road trip you’ve never heard of: the breathtaking Wilderness Road (Vildmarksvägen). If you’re traveling to Sweden or planning a future Sweden trip as part of your Europe travel plans, this is a route you cannot miss on your vacation. The Wilderness Road is one of the most unique ways to travel Sweden, passing through dramatic mountains, wild landscapes, and hidden gems in Northern Sweden and Lapland. From pristine lakes to spectacular viewpoints, it’s among the most beautiful places in Sweden and easily one of the best places to visit in Sweden. Whether you’re visiting Sweden for the first time or looking for Sweden travel tips, this travel guide will show you everything you need to know for this top travel destination. Perfect for US tourists and international travelers, this journey is a hidden highlight of Europe travel for American tourists, and an unforgettable Europe road trip. In this travel video you’ll discover why the Wilderness Road, or Vildmarksvägen in Swedish, is a must-see on any Sweden trip. Learn about the best places to go in Sweden along the route and practical Sweden travel tips and advice for visiting Sweden. Find out about stunning nature, epic viewpoints in Lappland, and unique things to do in Sweden, along with why a Vildmarksvagen in Sverige road trip belongs on your next Europe trip itinerary. Whether you’re traveling to Sweden to the first time, or you’re a seasoned traveler looking for something new to explore on your next trip, find out why this region of Sweden is one of the best places to visit in Europe. Check out our Sweden travel guide and map to make planning your visit to Sweden quicker and easier. Don’t just visit Sweden, experience it in a way few travelers ever do!

0:00 Travel the Wilderness Road
0:38 Northern Sweden road trip route
1:35 Visit Hallingsafallet waterfall
2:20 Hiking at Hallingsafallet
3:58 Stora Blasjon (Big Blue Lake)
4:52 Hiking to Brakafallet waterfalls
6:01 Ankarede: Lejarfallet waterfall
7:35 Stekenjokk in Swedish Lapland
9:08 Hiking at Stekenjokk
12:38 Klimpfjall
13:14 Fatmomakke
15:40 Trappstegsforsen
17:42 Best time to visit Sweden’s Vildmarksvagen
19:52 What to pack for a Wilderness road trip & Sweden travel tips

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