2025-Exploring Scandinavia
- Zoltán Simon
- Jul 15
- 15 min read
Updated: Aug 28
My goal with this blog is to document my summer exploration tour in Scandinavia.
I plan to discover Swedish Lapland and the Kungsleden, the Lofoten Islands, and the Norwegian fjordland. After this journey, my aim is to create and offer at least three guided tours in these regions.
With this blog, I hope to inspire you and spark your interest in hiking these areas next year. Let’s explore them together in 2026.
I plan to publish my tours for 2026 online by the end of this year.
2025.07.15 – Preparation for the Tour
The first steps are done!
With the help of Anna, we managed to book several STF huts in northern Sweden, above the Arctic Circle. 🧭❄️
My plan: to hike the Kungsleden Trail in 7 days!
I’m so excited! ☺️☺️☺️☺️
In about 10 days, I’ll hop in my car and head north – a 5 to 6-day road trip across all of Sweden 🚗🇸🇪 Starting from my small home village in Bavaria, Southern Germany.
I’d be really happy if you followed me on this exciting adventure! 🥾📷
I’m sure I won’t have signal every day, but I’ll definitely share my experiences whenever I can get online.
Let’s kick off the preparation phase with a little motivation:
Here’s a video from my Scandinavia trip in 2023 🎥✨
2025.07.25 Afternoon - Let’s Go 😎😎⛰️🏞
What a start… 🙈🙄 Not exactly how I imagined it.
The original plan was to finish everything yesterday, ideally by noon, so I could pack in peace and get a good night’s sleep.
But packing wasn’t easy — I had to think ahead for the next 1.5 months: camping gear, multi-day hiking equipment, kitchen stuff, and more.
Reality reminded me that my time management… wasn’t the best.
I still had to sort out my tax stuff, which ended up taking 14 hours (!). I finally finished that around 4 a.m.
Then I started packing. I also wanted to re-impregnate my Gore-Tex jackets — gotta be ready for the challenges of nature, right?
In the end, I finished everything by 7 a.m.
The plan was to get 2 hours of sleep and then hit the road. I had 900 km to drive up to the Polish north coast — the ferry departs tomorrow before noon.
But… I only managed to sleep 2–3 hours. I was super tired, and there were still some last-minute things to do at home.
So I finally started my trip at 16:00.
And then… a "funny" surprise: on the way, I got a failure warning on my car dashboard. Not the best sign before an 8,000 km road trip 😅
Lost another 2 hours because ADAC (German roadside assistance) had to check the issue.
Luckily — it was just my old DPF issue acting up again. Nothing serious.
So, I finally arrived in Świnoujście at 4:00 a.m. and went straight to bed.
Tomorrow I need to be at the ferry checkpoint before 11:00, so I’ll set my alarm for 9:00.
I’m excited. Tomorrow’s a 7-hour ferry trip to Ystad, Sweden.
Hopefully I’ll be able to sleep a bit… and maybe even get some work done :-)
Good night!
📅 July 26, 2025 – Swinoujscie to Ystad to Volsjö
After a long night with barely any sleep, I had to get up early to catch the ferry from Swinoujscie to Ystad. It departed at 12:30, but check-in closed at 11:00 sharp – so no time to snooze.
To my surprise, the ferry turned out to be absolutely amazing. Everything was clean, modern, and spacious. The people around were friendly, mostly small European families, and the whole atmosphere was calm and pleasant.
I had taken other ferries before – like Lübeck–Malmö and Trelleborg–Rostock – and those tickets had cost around €300 including the car. This time, Polferries charged just about €110, and it was a much better experience.
The last time, the ferry was old and a bit chaotic, with a rather mixed crowd. But this time, it felt almost cozy – clean, family-friendly, and well-organized. Kids played in a little play area, and there were a snack bar, a full restaurant, and an open deck to enjoy the sea breeze.
One of the nicest touches was a seating area where you could eat your own food – very traveler-friendly!
I thought about napping during the 7-hour journey, but I ended up working instead. It was actually quite productive – calm surroundings and decent space to set up a laptop.
The only downside: hardly any power outlets to charge electronics. That could definitely be improved.
We arrived in Ystad around 7 PM, and by 8 PM I reached my cozy, family-run hotel in Volsjö. The owners greeted me with homemade berry cookies and kind words – a warm and lovely welcome after a long day.
I planned to work on a project deadline that evening, but my external screen was glitching, the Wi-Fi was weak, and I was absolutely exhausted. Eventually, I gave up and went to bed.
📅 July 27, 2025 – Volsjö to Karlstad
I woke up after about 7 hours of sleep, still unsure how I’d finish my project in time. I could’ve stayed longer in Volsjö, but I needed to make daily progress northwards if I wanted to reach Abisko by July 30.
So I hit the road. My destination: Karlstad.
What I didn’t realize: driving in Sweden takes longer than expected. Even on wide, perfect roads, speed limits are often 70–80 km/h, rarely reaching 100. I had to stop several times – for coffee, photos, and a few quick power naps.
Eventually, I arrived in Karlstad at 8 PM. The hotel was great: strong Wi-Fi and a quiet atmosphere. I finally got a new cable for my external monitor, so I could set up my mobile office properly.
But I was utterly drained from the past few days of travel.
My plan was simple: work until midnight to submit the design project. After that, maybe a bit more design work for another client.
Well… guess what?
I ended up working until 7 in the morning.
Totally insane. I had only 2 hours of sleep before the next day’s journey began.
📅 July 28, 2025 – Karlstad to Sveg
I was beyond tired when I got up. I couldn’t hit the road until around noon. But the weather was perfect – sunny with light clouds – and somehow I felt full of positive energy.
To kick off the day, I jumped into Lake Vänern, right in the middle of Karlstad. Although it’s a city lake, it felt wild and peaceful, like being deep in nature. The water was warm and refreshing, and I sunbathed for about 30 minutes.
Then came the duck.
I woke up from my nap because a female duck was staring at me, just 20 cm from my face. I burst out laughing. I laid back down – and suddenly she jumped/flew right onto my face!
At that moment I had no idea what was happening.
Was it an attack? A strange greeting? Or was the duck just romantically curious? I’ll never know.
But one thing’s for sure: it was the first time in my life I woke up with a wet duck in my face. 🤣
After that funny moment, I hit the road again. The drive was absolutely beautiful. I followed Road 26, then joined the E45, passing through a magical land of a thousand lakes. I had to stop constantly – the views, the peaceful rest areas, the untouched nature – all so stunning.
I arrived in Sveg at 10 PM and found a camping spot for the night.
And for the first time, I felt like my real Swedish roadtrip had begun – tent, canned food, gas cooker, solitude, and nature all around me.
I’m so grateful to be here, surrounded by endless wild beauty.
Tomorrow, the journey continues – hopefully up to Sorsele or Storuman.
And yes… the forecast says rain.
Good night from the tent – it was an amazing day.
📅 July 29, 2025 – Sveg-Östersund-Storuman
I am now on the way in heavy rain
2025.07.30 Storuman-Gälliven
Today the sun came out. The forests are not so dense anymore. The trees are smaller. And time by time I can see big fields aswell. I made a short walk aswell. And a raindeer was walking on the road 😍😍😍
5 days of roadtrip for a food Jokkmokk furniture :-))))
2025.07.31- Gälliven-Abisko
Today I have a shorter trip, the sun is shining, and hopefully the weather will be really nice in the naxt day. Tomorrow I will have time for an hour beach time hopefully. And tomorrow I start my 7 days hike on the Kungsleden between Abisko and Nikkaluokta. I am soo excited 😎😎😎
Nice camping spot on the way:
In the evening time I started to organise and pack my staff. I realised, 40l backpack will be not enough. I need to take my 70l backpack with me. I am sure I can optimise more the amount of the stuff I take with me. But safety firt. So I will carry a lot at the end.
2025.08.01. Starti g the 7 Days hike on the Kungsleden
I am very excited. My backpack is ready, my boots are on, my phone is charged. Theoretically i am ready :-) I think I just need to stand up and do the first steps.
Strange feeling. I am happy to be in the nature. After 6 days of sitti g in the car. But somehow is a strange feeling being by myself, without signal. Just me and the nature. I think, I feel now a bit alone. But i am sure I will like it :-)))
Wish me the best. In 7 days we see eachother.
This is my plan:
2025.08.01 – Kungsleden Day 01 / Abisko – Abiskojaure
Carrying the big backpack was a challenge again. It made the hike much more intense — something I already experienced in Iceland in 2024 on the Laugavegur trail. I had hoped to be more efficient this time, but unfortunately, even without a tent, foam mat, or large sleeping bag, I still needed the 70L backpack. Maybe next time I can reduce it to 55–60L.
I learned that STF huts do not take your food waste, so I had to carry all the dry food packaging with me. Another discovery: some huts have small shops where you can buy basic food items like canned goods, soups, dry foods, snacks, and chocolate. Not every hut has a shop, but at least every second one does. Next time, I’ll bring food for only two days at a time — this will help reduce volume significantly.
All huts are well equipped with drinking water and sleeping towels. A small sleeping bag liner is enough. Personally, I don't like wearing underwear on the trail — I sweat through it quickly, so that's something I can skip. The only essential for me is a clean pair of socks every day. Next time, I might wash them, so 3–4 pairs should be enough.
These are important learnings to reduce weight and increase comfort.
Big Gore-Tex boots are very useful because the terrain is constantly wet. However, I met two people wearing non-waterproof trail running shoes. I’m sure those are more comfortable, but also much wetter. I’m still undecided, but I feel waterproofness is crucial. The big, stiff boots are hard on my feet, though. I brought a massage ball to relax them, but maybe lighter, more flexible boots would be better in the future.
The first day started sunny, mostly through a sparse forest. Already in the first hours, I realized what it means to hike alone. At first, I made noise to keep bears away — a habit from past hikes. But I also remembered what a local told me: although bears might be in this area, no one has actually seen any.
I started late, around 11 a.m. I had only 12 km to the first hut, so there was no rush. It was warm — probably over 25°C — and the heavy backpack made it exhausting. Later, the sky darkened and I found a shelter — the perfect place for a break. Just then, the rain began. A nice group gathered there: four from Finland and one from Sweden. The Finnish group started cooking their dry food, which had an interesting name.
It rained, and wearing a rain jacket made me sweat even more. Eventually, the sky cleared, and I arrived at Abiskojaure mountain hut in good weather. I met some kind people, took a dip in the lake, and enjoyed the sauna. A beautiful ending to the first day.
2025.08.02 – Kungsleden Day 02 / Abiskojaure – Alesjaure
This was a 21 km hike, in beautiful weather. I was getting used to being alone and even started to enjoy it — such peace.
Gradually, I left the forest behind and gained some elevation. The landscape opened up, with stunning views of small lakes and rivers. Simply amazing.
After a few kilometers, I felt very exhausted. I’m not sure if it was due to the heat or the heavy pack, but the walk felt endless. I started at 11 a.m. and arrived after 6 p.m. Alesjaure lies at the end of a long lake in a beautiful setting.
I managed a short sauna session and a cold dip in the water. My feet were sore and tired.
I was in bed by 11 p.m. and slept for 8 hours — for the second time on the trail.
2025.08.03 – Kungsleden Day 03 / Alesjaure – Tjäktja
Waking up in such a beautiful setting, well rested, with no pressure to hurry through breakfast or packing, was a luxury. I started at 10:30 under nice weather, wearing a hat to shield my face from the sun. I found a good rhythm. During my first snack break, I felt a rare kind of inner quiet.
With no phone signal, I had no choice but to be present. No messages, no updates. Just simple routines: packing, drinking, refilling bottles. I realized I need to re-learn how to be still, how to sit quietly, watch my surroundings, and not be consumed by tasks or screens. If I wasn’t forced into silence, I’d likely fall back into old habits.
The huts were full of calm, open-minded people. Everyone was busy with basic things: cooking, finding water, drying clothes. There was no rush, no loud laughter — just quiet, friendly conversations.
I made good time today. After a river crossing, heavy rain and strong winds hit during the last 200 meters of elevation gain — the final 40 minutes of the walk. I was very glad to arrive around 3 p.m.
This hut was smaller, with no shop or sauna. When I arrived, most people in my room were taking an afternoon nap — so I did the same. Later, I dried my clothes and washed up.
Dinner was lively, and there were interesting people from various countries. A Portuguese-Vietnamese family with a small child arrived, and their joy was infectious. A Swedish guy started stretching in the kitchen, and I joined him. My knees appreciated it. I also noticed two blisters on my toes — inconvenient spots. I taped them, but they’ll likely hurt tomorrow.
Now it’s 10:53 p.m. and I’m not tired yet.
Tomorrow should be windy but partly sunny. The day after will bring a lot of rain.
Life on the trail has its ups and downs.
2025.08.04 – Kungsleden Day 04 / Tjäktja – Sälka
The day started with sunshine and a cold wind. I hadn’t slept well — my bed was on the third level, and it was too warm. I slept in just my underwear but still sweated through the night. A quick dip in the nearby 10°C waterfall woke me up.
Two English girls jump into every lake or river, morning and night — very inspiring.
This might have been my favorite day. After the first two hours and crossing the Tjäktja pass at 1120 meters, a stunning glacier valley opened up. The trail was rocky, the wind strong, and the weather a mix of sun and clouds — a dramatic sky, incredible light.
I started before 10 a.m. and arrived around 3 p.m., taking two solid breaks. My feet were okay despite yesterday’s blisters, but the pain returned toward the end.
At Sälka, I enjoyed the shop and sauna — especially the cold-water plunge right outside.
Evenings are my favorite part. During the day, I walk alone — a new experience for me — but I’ve come to really enjoy the solitude and my own pace. For 1.5 to 2 hours, I didn’t see a single person today.
Still, there’s comfort in seeing familiar faces at each hut. It creates a subtle feeling of community.
There is a young Israeli couple I spent dinner time with yesterday and today. We had some really good conversations — interesting insights about life in their country and stories from their travels. We laughed a lot. It’s always nice to share meals and stories with others on the trail. This kind of interaction creates a special kind of trust and connection. I’m grateful for these conversations and the quality time shared with people from around the world.
2025.08.05 – Kungsleden Day 05 / Sälka – Singi
In the hut, I talked with three Hungarian hikers from Galánta — older men with traditional hiking gear, eating sausage, paprika, and tomatoes instead of freeze-dried meals. It was refreshing to see the older generation hiking in their own style.
The weather today was wild — winds around 16 m/s (70 km/h), mixed with heavy rain. When rain came from side valleys, I could see it approaching. The wind often ripped off my backpack cover, so I tied it with a shoelace — and even that didn’t always hold.
The temperature hovered around 15°C, but when the rain stopped, I’d overheat under my rain gear. I had to constantly open and close jacket and trouser zippers. At times, the sun broke through, giving brief moments of warmth and incredible light. A dramatic and exhausting day, but a beautiful valley.
Singi hut was completely full — more people than beds. It was chaotic.
Tonight, I felt some inner tension. It’s likely our last hut without phone signal. On one hand, it’s nice to reconnect with the world. On the other, I fear slipping back into old habits — constantly online, distracted.
I want to define offline periods in my daily life to stay present.
Today, I also jumped into a freezing river with the English girls — it made me feel alive.
I've met people here who’ve done longer treks. Their stories inspire me to plan my next one already.
I’m grateful for the wild weather, the beauty, and even for the discomfort — it’s all part of this journey. It reminded me that I'm capable of hiking long distances solo, and that I find peace in both solitude and shared spaces.
Tomorrow: 14 km from Singi to Kebnekaise mountain hut.The day after: 18 km from Kebnekaise to Nikkaluokta, then a bus to Kiruna.On 08.08: I return to Abisko and prepare for the Lofoten Islands.
I'm excited for what’s next.
2025.08.06 – Kungsleden Day 06 / Singi – Kebnekaise Mountain Hut
Today felt strange. I didn’t want to leave the hut, even though it had felt too busy. The weather was worse than expected — colder, rainy, and with wind at around 30 km/h. I kept adjusting my rain gear with every change in weather: open zippers, close zippers, pack cover on, pack cover off.
The first part of the trail passed through dramatic hills — grey and rainy, which dampened my motivation. But I ran into the two English girls, whose energy lifted me a bit.
Later, the sun returned and the landscape softened, offering wide views into the valley. I started early, around 9 a.m., and arrived at Kebnekaise hut by 2 p.m.
The hut is more touristic, with modern kitchens, real toilets, and even beer and fresh bread. I bought two sandwiches and a beer — they tasted amazing. I hadn’t had bread in six days. I appreciated every bite.
After an afternoon nap, I visited the sauna. It had more of a party vibe — a stark contrast to the peaceful evenings I’d become used to.
In the evening, I had a beer and a nice conversation with Amir and Nitzah — the Israeli couple. We talked about the beauty of life, about our diaries and how we both sometimes write down reflections from our days. It was a thoughtful, inspiring exchange. They also generously shared their dinner with me, which was a lovely gesture.
I knew there was internet here, but I stayed offline until 11 p.m., not wanting to lose the calm. I briefly turned it on to organize something for Lofoten, then went back offline. I want to carry this practice into my regular life — staying grounded and present.
Now it’s midnight. I’ll get some sleep.
Tomorrow is my final walk: 18 km, possibly 6 km by boat.The bus from Nikkaluokta to Kiruna leaves at 16:45.I’ll start at 9:00 to make sure I have time.
Good night.
2025.08.07 – Kungsleden Day 07 / Kebnekaise Mountain Hut – Nikkaluokta – Kiruna
The last day was different.
It was more about saying goodbye to my new hiking friends. In the morning, I had a delicious breakfast at Kebnekaise Mountain Station. It felt less wild now — more civilized, more crowded.
I knew I had to catch the boat around noon, and there were 8.5 km to walk before that. The path led me back into a bushy, forested region. I had breakfast with the two English girls — they were always cheerful, full of good vibes, and fun to be around. Amir and Nitzah had already taken an earlier boat.
So, I walked the first 8 km alone. Then I caught my boat, which spared me 6 km of walking. The ride itself was stunning, offering breathtaking views of the big mountains from the water.
At the boat’s final stop, there was a nice little restaurant serving reindeer burgers, great coffee, and cookies. I met Amir and Nitzah there, and we walked the last 5 km together. Time passed quickly in deep and funny conversations. I didn’t even track my last 5 km — I didn’t realize, in that moment, that these were my final steps of the journey.
There wasn’t a single intense emotional moment when I thought, This is the end. Maybe because the whole hike had been so special from the beginning, we had been grateful every single day for the experiences.
I feel deeply thankful for the chance to be completely offline, in peaceful connection with nature. That was something truly special for me. I’m sure I will come back — I need to.
Thank you for the peaceful moments.
Thank you for the mindful presence.
Thank you for the wonderful friends I met along the way, with whom I could share every experience.
If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend it: be offline, be peaceful, and be fully present in the moment — connected to nature.
2025.08.08 – Kiruna-Abisko, the way back to my car