Tips for a circular hiking tour using public transport

Hiking trails Bohusleden and Kuststigen

With just over 50 kilometres of scenic and varied walking, Bohusleden is the perfect trail for anyone wanting to explore Bohuslän’s wild and beautiful landscapes. Along the way, you can stay in a tree tent, cook over an open fire, visit historic fortresses and idyllic seaside villages, and spend your nights in charming accommodation.

The Kuststigen coastal trail adds a different flavour of Bohuslän, with pink granite cliffs, open horizons, and stunning sea views.

Spring and autumn are wonderful times to hike in West Sweden, when the landscape changes colour and both trails and villages are at their most peaceful.

The route is easy to adapt. Linger a little longer in places you like, make room for local food, culture, and nature experiences, or add extra stops to turn the trip into a longer adventure.

Stop one

Welcome to Gothenburg – Sweden’s second city. There’s plenty to experience here, and to get a genuine feel of the place, we suggest getting some expert help from a local. Meet Peter or Anton and explore Gothenburg on foot – hear about the city’s history, find hidden gems, and enjoy a Swedish fika together. 

If you’d rather explore by yourself you could go for a walk in lovely Änggårdsbergen, fika in historic Haga, or take a trip to stately Gunnebo House and Gardens.

 

There’s a huge selection of great restaurants and lovely accommodation. Maybe dinner at Sjöbaren in Haga would suit, followed by a cosy stay at Comfort Hotel Göteborg. You’ll find more tips here.

Stop two

Bohusleden is the perfect trail to pick up from Gothenburg. Some stretches feel wonderfully wild, and there’s plenty to discover along the way, from dramatic waterfalls and panoramic views to castles, brooding fortresses, and peaceful forest paths.

Take bus X3 from Polhemsplatsen in central Gothenburg to Angereds Kyrka (church). The bus journey takes around 25 minutes and you can buy tickets at one of Västtrafik’s ticket booths or on the Västtrafik To-Go app. Hike half of stage 6 of the Bohusleden. At Skyrsjön there’s a detour that takes you onto the Pilgrim Path Göta Älv. Follow the signs all the way to Björsjöås and Björsjöås Vildmark in Vättjefjäll.

Vättlefjäll is a wild and beautiful nature reserve surprisingly close to the city. Its rolling, hilly landscape is a mix of heathland, bogs, deciduous woodland, coniferous forest, and lakes.

It’s a lovely place to hike, fish, swim, paddle a canoe, pick berries and mushrooms, or simply enjoy the tranquillity. After your 11-kilometre hike, stay overnight or round off the experience with a tailor-made package.

6 The church in Angered - Fontin 17 km

Stop three

After a night under the stars, it’s time to hike the second half of stage 6 of Bohusleden, a stretch of around 10 kilometres. The trail passes through the town of Bohus, where the ruins of Bohus Fortress stand on a small island in the Göta Älv river. Built in the 14th century, when Bohuslän was still Norwegian, the fortress can be explored on a guided tour filled with stories of kings, saints, power struggles, traitors, and prisoners.

From here, the trail continues to Kungälv, home to a 17th-century church and former courthouse. Östra Gatan, lined with turn-of-the-century houses, leads into the town centre.

Bus 841 from Kungälv Resecentrum takes you north to the coastal town of Lysekil in around two hours. Check in at Strandflickornas Havshotell, then enjoy a wonderful dinner and a good night’s sleep. With time to spare, we recommend an evening boat trip over to the idyllic seaside resort  

Stop four

If you have booked a hiking package at Strandflickornas Havshotell, you’ll receive a packed lunch to take with you on the day’s walk.

Stage 12 of Kuststigen starts in Lysekil, and if you’d like a guide for this stretch, you can book one through Salta Guiden. The trail passes Havets Hus Aquarium before reaching Stångehuvud Nature Reserve, where fantastic sea views open out across a dramatic landscape of granite rocks and boulders.

When you reach the end of the stage, in a little over 13 km, take the bus to Brodalen. Your evening meal and accommodation will be at Villa Bro.

12 Lysekil – Skal, 12,5 km

Stop five

You’ll be provided with a packed lunch before continuing along stage 16 of the Kuststigen, between Brodalen and Nordens Ark Zoo. This stretch is 16 km long and contains Lysekil’s highest point, Sötorpsberget, with a fantastic view of the coast and Åby Fjord.

Check in at Nordens Ark, where you can choose between hotel and cabin accommodation, and relax after the day’s’ lovely but slightly more demanding hike.

16 Brodalen – Nordens Ark, 16 km

Stop six

Finish your trip with a visit to Nordens Ark Zoo. The zoo is home to around seventy of the world’s endangered species and Nordens Ark dedicates their work to giving these animals a future. You can meet all sorts of animals, from wolves to snow leopards and Amur tigers.

From Nordens Ark take the bus back to Gothenburg (bus 860 to Torp Terminalen in Uddevalla, change to bus 841 to Gothenburg).

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