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The Bohusleden trail

The Bohusleden Trail begins south of Gothenburg and ends in Strömstad, 340 kilometers later. It offers varied natural and cultural landscapes typical of the classic Bohuslän region. The trail is described below in three sections divided into southern, central, and northern parts. However, there are many options for starting and finishing points along the Bohusleden. Choose what suits you and your group!

The Bohusleden trail in short

Length: 340 kilometres
Number of stages/hiking days: 1-27
Length of stages: 5–19 km (4–8 hours of hiking per day)
Water/food along the trail: The trail passes through some communities where you can restock food and water. Check the available services on your chosen route before departure.
Accommodation during the hike: Shelters, tents, cabins, hotels, hostels
Map and more information: Västsverige.se och Uddevalla.se

Map of the Bohusleden trail

This map is a planning tool and should not replace a physical map and compass. The service “Naturkartan” is operated by a company called “Outdoor map”. Please note that trail information is owned and updated by the respective trail administrator (e.g. municipality or county administrative board).

Discover the Bohusleden trail

The Bohusleden trail stretches from Lindome in the south to Strömstad in the north. In the south, Bohusleden connects to the Hallandsleden trail. In central and northern Bohuslän, there is the possibility to connect to the Kuststigen trail, which also leads into Norway (Kyststien). Even though you are in one of Sweden’s most densely populated areas, the interior of Bohuslän is the right place to find peace. Just a few kilometers from the coast, you hike through quiet forests and across barren marshlands.

Parts of the hike give the impression that you are in northern Sweden’s mountainous region, despite being only a few kilometers from the west coast. The trail is mostly easy to walk, but some areas have larger elevation changes and are therefore a bit more demanding. Bohusleden is part of both the North Sea Trail and European Trail E1.

During sections 1–18, you are often close to towns, making it easy to start and end your hike as well as find accommodation. From the end of section 18 and through the final sections, you hike through Bohuslän’s largest continuous wilderness area. Therefore, you will need to bring food and camping gear. Shelters are available on certain stretches.

See and do along the trail

During the first sections, you are close to Gothenburg and the city’s range of attractions. The further north you hike, the more nature experiences and activities await, with fishing, berry, and mushroom picking taking the lead.

Don’t miss

In the middle of the Bohuslän wilderness lies KynnefällsNatur, an excellent starting point for your hike on the Bohusleden. During section 19, there is a connecting trail that leads you here.

Transport to the trail

To reach the southern starting point of the Bohusleden, take the train to Gothenburg. From there, you can travel by train or bus with Västtrafik to Hjälmared. Once in Hjälmared, follow the Hallandsleden north for a couple of kilometers, and the trail becomes the Bohusleden near Lake Blåvättnerna.

Trail markers

Orange paint on trees, rocks, and trail posts.

Hiking tips for Bohusleden

Here are some hiking tips for those who want to hike a part of Bohusleden. The tips include several day sections. You can read more information about each section on Bohusleden.se.

Of course, it is perfectly fine to hike in the opposite direction from the order of the tips.

Section 1–9: Blåvättnerna–Lysevatten

109.5 kilometers, 4–8 hours of hiking per day over nine days

The first seven sections are close to urban areas and take you in an eastern arc around Gothenburg, while the final two sections lead you into the wilderness. From Stensjön to Grandalen, sections 2–7, you hike along one of STF’s signature trails, Signaturled Södra Bohuslän. Despite the trail’s proximity to Sweden’s second-largest city, you walk in silence through several nature reserves, past fish-rich lakes, and under dense beech forests. The distances are short, and at the end of each day, there is accommodation. During section three, the trail runs along dramatic ravines and rock formations in the Knipeflågsbergen Nature Reserve, home to exciting wildlife such as moose, deer, and fox. Between Grandalen and Lysevatten, sections 8–9, you walk through Svartedalen, southwestern Sweden’s largest continuous forest and wilderness area. The landscape is hilly, with beautiful lakes between the hills. Here, you hike in uninhabited terrain.

Section 10–18: Lysevatten–Lunden

122 kilometers, 4–8 hours of hiking per day over eight days

Bohusleden continues through a landscape of bogs and forests, dotted with many lakes. South of Uddevalla, you begin to encounter the Bohuslän mountains, such as Bredfjället and Fågelfjället. North of Uddevalla, you pass Herrstadsfjället and Hattefjäll. During section 16, you walk past the Öreskils River, Bohuslän’s largest watercourse and a popular fishing spot. Section 18 follows a pleasant country road through farmland and forest areas. Forest roads, winding trails, and a few stretches along paved roads await during the central part of Bohusleden.

The gateway to Kynnefjäll can be said to be the road junction at Lundens Vaktstuga on Bohusleden’s section 18, about 15 kilometers north of Svarteborg. The next section, number 19, takes you all the way to the heart of the wild Kynnefjäll.

Section 19–27: Lunden–Strömstad

119 kilometers, 4–8 hours of hiking per day over nine days

From here to Strömstad, wilderness awaits. You begin by hiking into the central parts of the wild Kynnefjäll. Kynnefjäll is a 20-kilometer long and 10-kilometer wide plateau in northern Bohuslän. The plateau stretches between the Bullare Lakes’ rift valley in the west and the Örekilsälven River valley in the east, with Kornsjöarna as the northernmost outpost near the border with Norway. The area offers beautiful hiking in a unique landscape. The topography of the land has allowed species typically found further north to thrive here, such as dwarf birch, northern lichen, and Norwegian moss.

Take the opportunity to hike up to the highest peak, Vaktarekullen, 206 meters above sea level.

Continue with sections 20–23, past Holmen, Daletjärnen, and Nornäs, where the trail turns westward towards Vassbotten in Bullarebygden. The trail continues through hilly terrain, mostly in uninhabited nature, until the penultimate section. The final stretch to Strömstad takes you to the sea.