Wade safely

Along marked trails, there are usually bridges over larger waterways. If you hike in unmarked terrain, river crossings are one of the biggest risks. The force of moving water can make you lose your footing, and the icy water quickly cools your feet and legs.

Assess the risk before crossing

When you reach a stream or river that seems difficult or impossible to cross, consider the following to find the safest option:

1. What does the upstream flow look like?
Can you avoid the difficult section by going upstream and crossing several smaller streams instead?

2. What is it like downstream?
Streams are often widest – and therefore shallowest and less forceful – near where they flow into a larger body of water.

3. Can you camp nearby and wait for lower water levels?
If the stream is fed by snowfields or glaciers, water levels are almost always lowest early in the morning before the sun begins to melt snow and ice.

How to cross safely

1. Start by packing away any loose items attached to your backpack so you don’t risk losing them. Don’t keep your camera hanging on your chest.
2. Loosen your hip belt so you can quickly remove your backpack if you fall.
3. Cross at the widest point – this is usually where the water is shallowest and the current weakest.
4. Do not cross where the water reaches above your knees.
5. Never cross barefoot. Your feet will quickly go numb in cold water, increasing the risk of injury. Wear trainers or sandals.
6. A wading pole can provide valuable support – for example, a sturdy stick.
7. Move diagonally against the current to reduce the risk of your feet being swept away.
8. Walk on the riverbed and make sure you have solid footing. Balancing on stones can be risky if they are slippery or loose.

More pages about the mountains

Mountain guide

Find important information about mountain safety, waste management, and what it’s like to stay in a mountain cabin.

Mountain safety

With the right knowledge, your time in the mountains will be both safer and more enjoyable. Learn about avalanches, find out how to prevent injuries, or read about how to ford rivers safely during your hike. You’ll find all our related pages on mountain safety further down.

Mountain hiking

The Swedish mountain range stretches from Treriksröset in the north to Dalarna in the south. Here, you’ll find breathtaking landscapes and hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking trails.