Discover locals' nearby favourite places

West Sweden is filled with lots of wonderful hiking trails, where you can experience nature in its ever-changing splendour. Flowering meadows, deep forests, walking paths close to the city, and sparkling granite cliffs - West Sweden has something for everyone.

To make it easier for hiking fans who also want to do something a little different, here are some of our Locals that are close to hiking trails in West Sweden.

 

Biosfärleden

The Biosfärleden trail stretches through the UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve, along the southern edge of Lake Vänern, from Läckö Castle to Mariestad. The trail takes you through a beautiful and varied landscape with viewpoints, fresh-water archipelago, cosy villages, history, cafés, and protected forests.

Meet Sara at the family farm on Kållandsö

If you want to meet a Local along this hiking trail, you can contact Sara. She lives on Kållandsö, not far from Läckö Slott, where she has taken over the family farm Ekebo. She and her husband run the organic farm with an apple grove of 120 trees. So if you visit Sara during September or October you can try your hand at pressing apples and take home some fresh apple juice.

• Distance from walking trail: 0 km

Hyssnaleden

The lovely Hyssnaleden trail takes you through the municipality of Mark, in the south of West Sweden. Along the 40km hiking trail you can gaze into the giant potholes in Ansered and enjoy tranquil beech forests in the beautiful Stomsås nature reserve.

Twelve trees in 50 square metres with Gun

In Hyssna you can also visit Gun through Meet the Locals and visit her ‘mini garden’. The plot is only 50 square metres, but still manages to fit twelve trees and eighteen shrubs from all over the world. Gun loves to meet people who share her interest in gardening and to swap tips on how to get the most out of a small area.

• Distance from walking trail: 400 metres

 

Cast your own candlestick at Pia's place in Hyssna

You’re spoilt for choice of gardens in Hyssna. At home with Pia you get to walk around her lovely garden, greet her turtles, and even cast a concrete candlestick in her studio. Of course you round off the visit with a fika that includes bread baked with flour from Lockö Mill and jam from Skafferiet in Hyssna.

• Distance from walking trail: 400 metres

Kuststigen

The Kuststigen coastal path is a hiking trail of contrasts. Barren cliffs and the windswept archipelago are interspersed with picturesque villages and historic remains. Kuststigen stretches from the island of Tjörn in the south, along the West Coast and all the way up to Oslo.

Explore picturesque Hönö with Sara

Out in the Gothenburg archipelago, at the southern end of Kuststigen, Sara has been living in her family home on Hönö for almost seven years. She runs a gallery in the converted barn and holds courses in old-fashioned photography. Sara is passionate about her Hönö and would like to share her experience of the island with you. You could take a short walk down to the harbour where you can visit a café, browse the shops, or visit the fishing museum? Or set out on a longer tour to the nature reserve Ersdalen with its barren cliffs and windswept forest. Regardless of the time of year Sara is ready for a dip - so bring your swimsuit if you want to cool off!

• Distance from walking trail: 1 km

Gotaleden

The Gotaleden trail stretches from Kungsportsplatsen in central Gothenburg to the square in Alingsås, 71 kilometers north. Different stages are easily reached by train to nearby stations along the route. The trail passes some smaller towns and villages but is mainly through forest and countryside.

History walk through Gothenburg with Cecilia

Would you like to learn about Gothenburg's history by walking through the middle of it? Send a Meet the Locals request to 56-year-old Cecilia, an English teacher with a passion for travel, language, and culinary experiences. Cecilia's walk stretches from Linnéplatsen via Feskekörka (The Fish Church), Esperantoplatsen and Kungshöjd to the market hall Saluhallen, Kopparmärra and Stora Teatern on Avenyn. This is for everyone who is interested in history and who loves a walk.

• Distance from walking trail: 2 km

 

Guided Gothenburg walk with bus and taxi driver Peter

Peter describes himself as a Gothenburger by birth and by habit. As a former taxi driver there aren’t many nooks and crannies in Sweden's second largest city that he doesn’t know. Peter's guided tour is about two hours long but can be adjusted to suit. You will hear stories from Gothenburg's history and how the fortress and moat around the city centre are reminders of its past. Read more and hear from Peter here:

• Distance from walking trail: 0 km

 

Meet Mikael and Malin in Norsesund

Just 30 minutes by train from Gothenburg, Norsesund is right on the Gotaleden trail. Mikael and Malin live in Norsesund with their three children. They are interested in outdoor life, travel, and food, and would like a visit if you want to enjoy a food experience in Swedish nature. If you book a visit to Mikael and Malin you will take a 2-3 hour walk on small paths through the forest to Lake Mjörn, where you can enjoy the surroundings and grill sausages over an open fire.

• Distance from walking trail: 1 km

 

Hike a section of the Gotaleden trail or bake Swedish cinnamon buns with Anna

If you book with our Local Anna, you can visit a special part of the Gotaleden. There is a beautiful stretch between Norsesund and Västra Bodarna and Anna will take you on a quiet walk just off the usual route. After the walk you are welcome to come home and bake Swedish cinnamon buns or chocolate balls, which you can enjoy in Anna's beautiful garden overlooking the lake.

• Distance from walking trail: 1.2 

 

More inspiration for hiking in West Sweden 

Hiking in West Sweden