West Sweden offers a wide variety of hiking, from coastal trails and island walks to deep forests, lakes, cultural landscapes and trails close to Gothenburg. You can choose between easy day hikes, circular walks and longer multi-day trails, with routes to suit different levels of experience.

Some of the most popular hiking trails in West Sweden are the Kuststigen Coastal Path, Bohusleden, Gotaleden and the region’s pilgrim trails. Kuststigen is ideal for coastal scenery, Bohusleden for forests and wilderness, while Gotaleden combines nature with easy access to cafés, restaurants, accommodation and public transport.

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Bohuslän and the Gothenburg archipelago offer some of the best coastal hiking in West Sweden. The Kuststigen Coastal Path follows the west coast through rocky landscapes, islands, fishing villages and nature reserves, with routes ranging from short circular walks to longer stages.

Yes. There are several hiking trails in and around Gothenburg. Gotaleden starts in central Gothenburg, the southern stages of Bohusleden are easy to reach by public transport, and you can also hike on islands in the Gothenburg archipelago.

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Bohusleden, Kuststigen, Gotaleden and several pilgrim trails are good choices for multi-day hikes. Many routes are divided into stages, making it easy to plan a hiking holiday lasting anything from a weekend to several days.

West Sweden has many islands that are perfect for hiking, particularly along the Bohuslän coast and in the Gothenburg archipelago. Explore circular trails on islands such as Dyrön and Bohus-Malmön, or follow the Gothenburg Archipelago Trail.

15 islands with great walking trails

You can hike in West Sweden throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn are particularly good for cooler temperatures and colourful landscapes, while summer offers long days and is a popular time for family and island hikes. Winter hiking offers a quieter experience, but conditions and daylight hours should always be checked before setting out.

Yes. Several hiking trails can be reached by train, bus or ferry. Gotaleden has numerous train stations along the route, while parts of Bohusleden, Kuststigen, the pilgrim trails and other trails can also be reached by public transport.

Read more about hiking trails next to public transport

Yes. There are hiking packages that combine hiking with accommodation, meals and other services, making it easy to plan a multi-day hiking holiday without arranging everything yourself. You can book through Swedish or UK tour operators.

Read more about hiking trips by tour operators here

There is a wide range of accommodation close to hiking trails, including hotels, B&Bs, cabins, hostels and campsites. Some trails make it possible to walk from one comfortable accommodation to the next.

Read our top list of stays close to hiking trails

Yes. West Sweden has accessible trails and nature areas suitable for visitors with reduced mobility, as well as routes with good accessibility for wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

Find accessible hiking trails in West Sweden

Sweden’s Right of Public Access, known as Allemansrätten, gives you the freedom to explore nature, including hiking and spending time outdoors. With this freedom comes a responsibility to respect wildlife, nature, landowners and other visitors, and special rules may apply in nature reserves and national parks.

Learn more about The right of public access