Practical hiking guides for Scandinavian trails — written by someone who walks them.
This blog is about hiking in Scandinavia, plain and simple. Fjords, mountain ridges, forest tracks, and the weather that tries to ruin all of it. I write for people who want to get out there without the fluff — the practical stuff that keeps you safe, comfortable, and coming back for more.
If you're new to hiking, you'll find clear starting points. If you've been at it a while, you'll find details that matter, like how to treat a blister before it ends your trip or which water filter actually works on a cold Nordic stream. No gatekeeping, no gear snobbery.
The site is organized into five sections, and I'm adding to them as I go.
Beginner Guides & Basics covers the fundamentals. The ten essentials, map and compass navigation, how to plan your first multi-day trip. Also the stuff people forget: trail etiquette, who yields on a steep climb, and Leave No Trace done properly.
Food & Hydration is about staying fueled. High-energy snacks that survive a pack, water purification options for Nordic streams, a three-day meal plan, and one-pot stove recipes that beat another freeze-dried pouch.
Gear & Packing cuts through the marketing. Boots vs. trail runners, layering for unpredictable weather, how to pack a backpack so your shoulders don't hate you by noon, and whether trekking poles are worth the hassle. Spoiler: mostly yes.
Niche & Culture gets into the Scandinavian specifics. Friluftsliv, the open-air philosophy. Allemannsretten and wild camping rules. Winter hiking, hiking with dogs, and taking decent photos without hauling a camera bag the size of a small fridge.
Safety & Health is the section I hope you read before you need it. Blister prevention and treatment, wilderness first aid basics, wildlife encounters, bad weather navigation, and solo hiking precautions.
The writing is practical and tested. I've hiked these trails for fifteen years, in Norway, Sweden, and Iceland. I know what works when the fog rolls in and the temperature drops. The Scandinavian context matters — our weather shifts fast, our terrain is rugged, and our right to roam comes with responsibilities. I write about what I've actually done, not what looks good in a catalog.
I'm Erik Lindqvist, a Scandinavian trail guide and outdoor writer based in Norway. Fifteen years of fjord paths, mountain ridges, and forest tracks across Norway, Sweden, and Iceland. That's the short version.
Grab a map, pack some snacks, and check the weather forecast. Then head out. If something here helps you have a better day on the trail, that's what this site is for.