All about mountain safety

With the right knowledge, your mountain trip will be both safer and more enjoyable. Learn about avalanches, find out how to best prevent injuries, or read about how to safely ford rivers during your hike. You can find all our related pages on mountain safety at the bottom of this page.

In the mountain areas, it is essential to be prepared to think for yourself and take responsibility for your own safety. Remember that advanced equipment can never replace common sense, experience, and knowledge.

Inform a relative about your route

You should always inform someone about your mountain trips, whether the hike is long or short. Tell a relative which route you plan to take, what time you start, who is in your group, and what equipment you have with you that could assist, for example, mountain rescue operations if someone goes missing.

In the mountain cabins and shelters, there are special guest books where you should sign in when you pass by. However, these entries are not checked until someone is reported missing. Writing route messages is a way of showing consideration for yourself and others!

Emergency phone

Emergency phones are available in all mountain cabins, with a few exceptions. The specific cabins with emergency phones can be found on each cabin’s website. Emergency phones are also available in some of the shelters along the trail system. The map of the mountain area also indicates which locations have emergency phones

Through this phone, you get direct contact with the police communication center and mountain rescue. You can use the phone to report any incidents. It is also good to inform them if you are delayed on your trip so that relatives do not become worried. The police and rescue management are happy to help pass on information. This can potentially prevent unnecessary mountain rescue operations. You can and should also use the phone to inform and seek advice.

Mountain rescue

Each police district with mountains within its area has a mountain rescue organization. This includes police officers and local residents experienced in mountain terrain, totaling around 350 people.

Mountain rescue operations are not just about searching for missing skiers and hikers. Equally often, they are called out to help transporting someone  who has been injured or fallen ill.

Mountain rescue can be reached directly via the emergency phones located in many places in the mountain areas and by regular phones through the emergency number 112.

We collaborate with the Mountain Safety Council and recommend that you read through their information before your mountain visit, regardless of the season and activity.

All pages about mountain safety

Avalanche danger

Avalanches also occur in the Swedish mountains. The marked trails are designed to avoid avalanche-prone areas.

Wade safely

Along the marked trails, there are often bridges over the larger watercourses. When hiking in unmarked areas, wading is one of the biggest risk factors.

Mobile coverage in the mountain areas

In the mountain regions, it is not certain that you will be able to use your mobile phone! This is partly because you are moving through rugged terrain with large distances and because the telecommunications networks are not fully developed.

Map and compass

Along a marked trail, you can hike without constantly checking the map or using the compass. However, you should always carry a map and a compass with you. If you venture off marked trails, the map becomes crucial for planning your route, making wise decisions, and navigating correctly.

Prevent injuries

An important detail in your packing going to the mountain areas is a first aid kit and the equipment and knowledge to handle the most common situations: blisters, frostbite, and sunburn.

Weather in the mountains

The weather in the mountains can change quickly and make your trip tougher than you expected. Therefore, it is important to keep track of the latest weather forecast.