The tranquility and presence found on the hiking trail is difficult to find anywhere else. The silence coincides with the rippling of the river rapids and the song of the birds in the trees. Every step you take brings you a little closer to those mysterious mountains far away.
“Hiking has an incredible depth. There are everything from those who do trail running and run on shorter day runs to those who go on a short hike to sit on a tree trunk and watch the scenery while drinking a cup of coffee from their backpack. The beautiful thing is that they all have equal joy to gain from nature, they just have different hobbies and prerequisites.”
Anders Ejdervik, author of many hiking books, among them Grövelsjöfjällen – gränslösa fjäll.
Are you new to hiking? We recommend hiring a guide to ensure an enjoyable mountain experience without having to worry about navigating with a map. However, there are plenty of great beginner-friendly trails around Idre Fjäll. Many are marked, and some even start right from the village square.
Preferably, don’t hike alone. Let someone back home know that you’re heading out and share your planned route with them.
When it comes to mountain hiking, we recommend using the map at a scale of 1:50,000. It provides a good overview of streams, elevation changes, and trails, making navigation easier by offering a clear view of the terrain as a whole. You can purchase the map at places like ICA.
The map is now also available as an app, making it perfect for planning your hike and getting a comprehensive overview. However, keep in mind that there may not always be mobile coverage in the mountains, and your battery could run out. Therefore, always bring a paper map as well.
3 km/hour is considered an average hiking pace in mountainous terrain with a backpack. This allows time to enjoy the views and take a photo or two. Of course, you can hike faster or slower. If you're going uphill, especially with a backpack, it may take more than an hour to cover three kilometers.
A typical day hike is usually between 10 and 20 km, depending on your experience, the terrain, and the amount of gear you're carrying.
Here’s a list of useful items to pack in your backpack for a day hike:
Last but not least – hiking boots! One of the most important things to consider when mountain hiking is wearing good footwear. Blisters can ruin an entire hike, so it's crucial to break in your boots properly. Start by wearing your boots around the house, then take shorter walks, gradually increasing the distance until you’ve covered the same length you plan to hike on your trip.
