The Kuststigen Coastal Path – Discover the west coast by foot
Kuststigen is a trail of contrasts, where rugged cliffs and dramatic archipelago scenery alternate with picturesque villages and historic remains.
Length: The trail is 376 km and is divided into 44 stages.
Timing: The trail can be hiked as day stages.
Difficulty: From easy to difficult – different levels on different stages.
Terrain: Very varied, from coastal bedrock, forest paths and animal pastures to smaller gravelled and asphalt roads.
Stretching from Svinesund in the north to Gothenburg in the south, the trail passes fishing villages, boathouses, broadleaf forests, and open coastal landscapes.
Kuststigen is also a journey through time. Along the route, traces of ancient settlements and natural phenomena can be discovered along the trail’s many stages.
Photographer: Lukasz Warzecha LWimages Studio
13 places to explore along the Kuststigen Coastal Path
1. Strömstad and Kosterhavet
Two of the northernmost stages of Kuststigen begin around Strömstad, where the trail moves between the sea and the town centre, with marinas, restaurants, and island life never far away.
Boats also leave from Strömstad for the almost car-free Koster Islands, where marked trails wind through granite landscapes, coastal heathland, and sheltered swimming coves. Stay overnight at Kläpphagen and don’t miss Naturum Kosterhavet, where you can learn more about the area’s unique marine environment.
The Strömstad–Daftö stage is around 10 kilometres long and follows a varied route through rocky terrain, forest paths, and waterside walkways. Along the way are swimming spots and viewpoints including Röseberget, with open views across the archipelago, and Hålkedalskilen, where shallow inlets attract seabirds.
Our accommodation tips in Strömstad:
2. Tanum’s UNESCO World Heritage rock carvings
From the stage between TanumStrand and Tanumshede, you can follow the Vitlycke Trail between Valbrets Grave and Vitlycke Museum. The route connects the coast with the UNESCO World Heritage rock carvings of Tanum and passes through a landscape rich in ancient remains and stories.
At Valbrets Grave — a 4,000-year-old stone burial chamber from the Late Stone Age — you can still see traces of the region’s earliest farming communities. Along the trail are Bronze Age rock carvings and burial cairns before reaching Vitlycke Museum, where the famous Vitlycke Rock Carvings offer a glimpse into life in the Bronze Age.
3. Kungsklyftan in Fjällbacka
Walk up Vetteberget in Fjällbacka for spectacular views across the archipelago. The trail is steep in places, but stairways along the route make the climb easier.
Running through the mountain is Kungsklyftan, a dramatic 200-metre-long ravine named after a visit by King Oscar II in 1887. The ravine was also used as a filming location in Ronia, the Robber's Daughter, where it became the Wolf’s Gorge.
Our accommodation tips in Fjällbacka:
4. Ramsvikslandet Nature Reserve – the kingdom of granite cliffs
One of the most dramatic stretches of Kuststigen passes through Ramsvikslandet Nature Reserve, also known as the Kingdom of Cliffs. Here, red Bohus granite spreads out in vast smooth formations beside the sea.
The landscape still carries traces of the Ice Age, including giant’s kettles and glacial striations carved into the rock by the ice sheet.
Ramsvikslandet combines open granite landscapes with coastal heathland and flowering meadows, creating one of the west coast’s most distinctive natural environments.
Our accommodation tips in Ramsvikslandet:
5. Mediterranean lagoons on Bohus-Malmön
Several stages of Kuststigen run across islands and form circular trails that are ideal for day hikes. On Bohus-Malmön in Sotenäs Municipality, the trail passes rugged granite landscapes and lagoons with white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water reminiscent of the Mediterranean.
Take a swim at the popular Pärlane beach, surrounded by water on both sides, or find a warm rock and bask in the sun.
Our accommodation tip on Bohus-Malmön:
6. Stångehuvud Nature Reserve’s rugged granite landscape
It is quietly thrilling to step out onto the granite cliffs of Stångehuvud Nature Reserve, where smooth granite formations meet the crashing sea to the west.
At the outer edge of the cliffs stands a small white lighthouse building that at first glance seems almost unremarkable. Built in the late 19th century, it guided countless fishing boats safely towards land, first with kerosene and later gas-powered light.
Today, the lighthouse is one of Lysekil’s most photographed landmarks and has been named one of the seven wonders of West Sweden.
Our accommodation tips in Lysekil:
7. The Island of Skaftö
Kuststigen makes a detour onto the island of Skaftö, passing through the coastal communities of Fiskebäckskil and Grundsund.
Both communities have a long history connected to the fishing industry before growing into popular seaside resorts. Along the way are picturesque boathouses, grand captains’ villas, and wooden jetties from different periods.
Enjoy a meal at Brygghuset Krog in Fiskebäckskil, a popular restaurant and whisky bar.
Our accommodation tips on Skaftö:
8. The islands off Orust
Between Orust and Skaftö, Kuststigen passes several smaller islands that are perfect for island hiking. A ferry takes you to Malö, before the trail continues across a bridge to Flatön. These charming islands feel quite magical, with a long series of marked cultural and natural sites along the route.
Hiking across the islands means the sea is always close by, greenery grows between the cliffs, and around almost every corner are wooden houses and traditional boathouses.
9. Gustafsberg – Sweden’s oldest seaside resort
Swimming is a constant along Kuststigen, which passes beaches, bathing spots, and old seaside resorts along much of the west coast.
The oldest of these is Gustafsberg on the outskirts of Uddevalla. People travelled here as early as the 17th century to drink from the health spring, and over time the area developed into a popular bathing resort with elegant bathhouses and villas.
Today, Gustafsberg is one of the highlights along Uddevalla’s beautiful waterfront walk.
Our accommodation tips in Uddevalla:
10. Ljungskile and the old resort of Lyckorna
Along Kuststigen in Ljungskile, the trail follows the shoreline past historic bathhouses from the town’s days as a seaside resort. Salt air, pine forest, and sheltered waters still give the area the atmosphere that first attracted spa guests to Lyckorna.
Today, the old clock tower is home to Musselbaren, where locally harvested mussels are served overlooking the water.
Our accommodation tips in Ljungskile:
11. Sundsbyleden on the island of Tjörn
Kuststigen makes several shorter detours on Tjörn, including the 4.5-kilometre circular trail Sundsbyleden, where, smooth granite cliffs and windswept pines give way to quiet beech forest.
Views across Stigfjorden are spectacular, and in places the trail passes through narrow passages and caves that require a little scrambling.
Stop at Sundsby Säteri for fika or lunch before continuing your walk.
12. The mouflon sheep on the island of Dyrön
Like many stages of Kuststigen, the Dyrö Trail works just as well as a route in its own right. The popular island between Tjörn and Marstrand is encircled by a beautiful but demanding hiking trail.
Keep an eye out for the island’s distinctive mouflon sheep, which roam freely across the landscape. A great tip is to book the island sauna for after your walk – it’s one of the best on the west coast.
Our accommodation tips on Dyrön:
13. Northern Gothenburg Archipelago
Kuststigen also stretches across the islands of the northern Gothenburg archipelago, where the trail moves between the islands of Fotö, Hönö, Öckerö, Hälsö, Hyppeln, and Knippla.
The full Gothenburg Archipelago Trail is 35 kilometres long and divided into five stages. Read more here: Göteborgs Skärgårdsled – Hike through the Gothenburg archipelago.
Our accommodation tips in the northern Gothenburg archipelago:
MORE HIKING TRAILS IN WEST SWEDEN
Length: The trail is 376 km and is divided into 44 stages.
Timing: The trail can be hiked as day stages.
Difficulty: From easy to difficult – different levels on different stages.
Terrain: Very varied, from coastal bedrock, forest paths and animal pastures to smaller gravelled and asphalt roads.