Hiking with a tent
Are you wondering what to consider when hiking with a tent, choosing a campsite, or perhaps buying new equipment? You will find advice and tips on hiking with a ten on this page.
The right to camp
The right of public access (Allemansrätten) is fantastic and allows you to temporarily stay overnight in the wilderness. However, the same rules always apply: do not disturb, do not destroy. To use already established campsites is preferred – this reduces the impact on nature. It is not suitable to camp within sight or hearing distance of inhabited houses. Nor is it suitable to camp in a way that disturbs the landowner or their activities. How long you can stay in one place is not strictly regulated, but one or a couple of nights is often acceptable. Also, check if there are any specific regulations in the area where you plan to camp. In nature reserves, national parks, and other protected areas, there may be special rules for camping. For instance, it might be prohibited to camp anywhere other than designated rest areas. Make sure to check the rules in advance! County administrative boards, municipalities, and the website Sverigesnationalparker.se have good information.
Camping in the mountain areas
In the mountains, there are large areas where you can camp without disturbing anyone. However, keep in mind that heather and lichen are delicate vegetation, so be cautious. Additionally, you must not camp in a way that disturbs reindeer. Many areas in the mountains are also within national parks and nature reserves, where the rules for camping and making fires vary. Read up in advance and feel free to ask for tips on good camping spots at STF’s (Swedish Tourist Association) mountain accommodations.
Camping near a Mountain station or a Mountain cabin
Beautiful camping spots can often be found both near and a bit away from STF’s mountain stations and mountain cabins, and you are welcome to camp with your own tent in their vicinity. However, if you want access to the guest kitchen, drying room, or other facilities at the STF accommodations, you will need to pay a service fee. If you do not intend to use STF’s services during your camping trip, please leave the camping spots closest to the accommodations for those who are utilizing the services. This helps other campers and ensures that everyone has the space they need. You can get more information about camping and services by talking to the staff or cabin hosts upon your arrival.
If you want to have dinner in the mountain station’s restaurant, you need to book in advance. You can do this no earlier than seven days before arrival by emailing bokningen@stfturist.se. Please provide your name, date, number of persons, and any special dietary requirements.
Remember not to set up your tent closer than 150 meters from a building or in a way that disrupts the operations. For example, you are not allowed to camp on the helipad. Always ask the on-site staff for suitable camping spots.
At our mountain stations, it is possible to rent tents and equipment, which means you can go on a day trip, stay overnight, and then return. Perfect for those who are inexperienced.
Read more about services and facilities on the respective web pages of the mountain stations and cabins.
View all accommodations in the mountains.
Where is it suitable to hike with a tent?
Are you unsure about which areas are suitable for hiking with a tent? Or do you want to try hike with a tent for the first time? Here are some tips on trails that are well-suited for this. The Jämtland Triangle is a classic for tent hikers – not too far and with many nice places to pitch a tent. Additionally, during this hike you have the option to book accommodation at one of our mountain stations, so you don’t have to sleep in a tent every night.
For those who have hiked and camped in the mountains before, the beautiful routes in the World Heritage site Laponia are enticing. Four national parks are included in the area. If you want to experience Sarek, you will need a tent, while in Padjelanta, you can also stay in a mountain cabin. In both Sarek and Padjelanta, it is important that you are well-prepared. Please read more about mountain safety before you set off.
Many of STF’s selected signature trails outside the mountain areas are also suitable for tent tours. For example, the Kinnekulle Signature Trail and the Bergslagen Signature Trail are good choices even for less experienced campers.
Choose your campsite carefully
Find a nice campsite with a flat, preferably soft surface that is dry. It should ideally be close to water for cooking and washing, but not so close that the sound of the water disturbs your sleep. It is good to place the tent in a sheltered spot behind a hill, tree, or similar, but if there’s a slight breeze, you can avoid mosquitoes. If rain is expected, it is especially important not to place the tent in a falter where water can collect. Make sure to stop in time. Start looking for a campsite before you run out of energy and your blood sugar drops. Setting up camp involves some work, and everything is much more enjoyable if you have a some energy left. This is especially important if you have children with you on the trip.
Camping with the family
Tenting is an excellent option for hiking with children. Most kids find it cozy and exciting to sleep in a tent. Compared to cabin trips, there are no set distances that must be covered. You can also decide how far to walk each day and when it’s time to stop. Let the person with the shortest legs decide! Consider making the tent a base camp and staying in the same place for a day or two. This provides variety and extra time for play and exploration. When camping with children, a good tip is to practice at home first. A night in a tent in the nearest forest area is an excellent first adventure.
Sleep in a shelter
There are plenty of open shelters along the trails in southern and central Sweden. Shelters often have a wooden floor to protect against the ground, but you will still need a sleeping mat.
Shelters retain heat less effectively than tents and are often located near water, which can cool down the air. Make sure your sleeping bag is warm enough and that you are properly dressed.
When staying overnight in a shelter, it can be nice to have an open fire. Use existing fire pits whenever possible and check if you are allowed to start a fire in this area—fire bans may be in place in protected nature areas or due to dry conditions. You are allowed to collect loose, small branches on the ground for firewood, but never break branches or twigs, fell trees, or take birch bark without the landowner’s permission. If you are hiking a short distance or if you are in a group that can share the load, feel free to bring a few dry logs in your backpack. Some shelters may have firewood available but check to see if it is meant for “cozy” fires or only for emergency use.
In need of outdoor equipment?
Rent instead of buying! As a member of STF you get a discount when you rent outdoor products and sportswear from Outdoor Buddies. Excellent for both your wallet and the environment.
Choose the right tent
When you’re looking for a new tent, there are a few things to consider. Start by determining during which seasons the tent will be used, how many people will sleep in it, and what kind of environments you will be in. In the mountains, you might need a robust tent that likely costs a bit more, while a tent for hiking in flat terrain doesn’t need to withstand as harsh weather conditions. Durability and low weight are two important aspects. Additionally, the tent should be easy to set up in all types of weather.
A family tent needs to suit the size of your family, the ages of the children, and your intended destinations. A classic tunnel tent often works well for a typical camping trip because it has spacious apses, meaning the front tent area. Rubber boots can dry here and extra gear can be stored away in this area. Another option is a dome tent, which may lack apses but has good interior space. Before buying a new tent, try to borrow one from a friend or rent equipment to see what suits you best and to avoid making a poor purchase.
Important with good ventilation
Ventilation plays a significant role in the comfort of the tent. During colder seasons, condensation can be a problem, which can at least partially be alleviated through good airflow. It is important that the tent has several ventilation openings and that they are positioned to allow air to circulate through the tent. Bring a regular dishcloth to wipe condensation from the sleeping bag and the inner tent ceiling. It absorbs well and weighs nothing. How you position the tent in relation to the wind direction also affects ventilation. You can influence the ventilation by how tightly you adjust the tent fabric to the ground – leaving a gap will make the air circulate more easily.
In the summer, it is nice to be able to open the tent properly and let in fresh air without letting mosquitoes into the inner tent. A door panel with a net insert allows you to have both airflow and a view during mosquito-heavy evenings.
Winter camping
Winter camping in the mountains is a fantastic adventure and requires some preparation. During the coldest months, you need a robust four-season tent with very good ventilation. The tent should ideally be spacious, including the apses, so you can avoid getting snow inside the inner tent and have room to store bulky equipment. Your sleeping bag and sleeping mat need to be winter-adapted, or you can use double layers. You will also need a different type of tent stakes that can anchor in the snow.
In short, it’s important to read up a bit and practice at home or with someone more experienced. The Swedish Tourist Association (STF) offers courses if you want to learn about winter camping or how to dig a snow bivouac, which is a type of snow cave. You can also try camping near a mountain cabin or mountain station the first few times. This way, you can warm up before crawling into the tent or bivouac for the night.
During a winter camping trip, your backpack should hold 60-80 liters. Another option in winter is to pull your gear on a sled. This way, you can bring more and heavier equipment. There are special sleds with harnesses and shafts designed for this purpose.
More tips for you
Skiing
If you love skiing, the winter mountains are a true paradise. Here, you can go cross-country skiing, zoom down the alpine slopes, or head out on a ski tour.
The right equipment
Equipment isn’t everything, but being well-prepared always helps. With good shoes and a comfortable backpack, you can go further.
Lists for packing
Are you wondering what you need to pack for a day trip in the mountains or for a longer hike? On this page you will find packing lists for both summer and winter.