E-path 6
E6 in Sweden was inaugurated in 1992 and runs from Malmö/Helsingborg to Grisslehamn.
The entire European long-distance trail E6 continues south all the way to Alexandroupolis in Greece. If you wish to continue south on E6, you can cross over to Copenhagen. The trails in Sweden mainly run through lowland landscapes but offer varied scenery.
The Swedish section of E6 covers approximately 1,400 kilometres of trails and links together Skåneleden, Hallandsleden, Gislavedsleden, Höglandsleden, Östgötaleden, Sörmlandsleden and Roslagsleden.
Please note that E6 consists of connected regional trails where different municipalities, regions, foundations and other organisations are responsible for maintenance, trail markings and updating information about signage and trail maps. Unlike trails such as Kungsleden in northern Sweden, there is no continuous network of STF mountain huts or emergency shelters along the route. The standard of shelters, wind shelters and overnight cabins may vary between trails. In some cases, there may also be short transport sections between different trails.
Skåneleden (Malmö – Koarp or Helsingborg – Koarp)
There are two sections of Skåneleden marked with E6 signs.
One option is to follow the route starting in Malmö and continuing north for about 290 kilometres along Skåneleden. You first hike the section called Nord–Sydleden (SL2) (opens in new tab) for approximately 222 kilometres. Nord–Sydleden takes you to Hårsjö, near Vittsjö. From there, you continue west on Kust–kustleden (SL1) (opens in new tab) for about 67 kilometres. Before reaching the coast, the trail connects with Hallandsleden at Koarp.
The second option is to follow Öresundsleden (SL5) from Helsingborg. You follow the trail north to Ängelholm, where you continue on Kust–kustleden (SL1) until you reach the connection with Hallandsleden at Koarp.
Skåneleden has many shelters with toilets and drinking water. The trail passes through varied landscapes and is generally easy to hike.
Distance: Malmö – Koarp approx. 290 km, Helsingborg – Koarp approx. 165 km
Trail marking: The trail is marked with blue E6 signs and is well marked with painted markers, direction arrows and entrance signs where needed.
Tip: Read more about Skåneleden (opens in new tab)
Trail maps and books:
The links below open in a new tab.
Skåneleden route planning tool, Vandra Skåneleden (Calazo), Friluftsatlas Skåneleden 1:50,000 (Calazo)
STF accommodation nearby: STF Malmö Ohboy Hotel, STF Klåveröd Logi & Café, STF Blentarp Hostel, STF Nyrup Naturhotell Hostel
Hallandsleden (Koarp – Kinnared)
E6 continues for about 110 kilometres along Hallandsleden to the area near Kinnared. Hallandsleden is mainly easy to hike and takes you through varied landscapes with extensive forest. In addition to accommodation near the trail, there are shelters with toilets and fresh water approximately every 15 kilometres. Train and bus connections are easily accessible near the trail.
Distance: 110 km
Trail marking: Orange markers and blue signs with white text “Hallandsleden”
Tip: Read more about Hallandsleden (opens in new tab)
Trail maps and books:
The links below open in a new tab.
Hallandsleden route planning tool, Naturkartan
STF accommodation nearby: STF Vallåsens Värdshus
Gislavedsleden (Kinnared – Isaberg/Hestra)
On this section of E6, you continue along the trail into Småland. Gislavedsleden runs from Kinnared in Halland to Isaberg/Hestra in Småland. The trail forms part of the longer Smålandsleden.
Distance: approx. 100 km
Trail marking: Orange markers. The trail is planned to be equipped with improved markings, signs and facilities.
Tip: Read more about Gislavedsleden (opens in new tab)
Trail maps and books:
The links below open in a new tab.
Overview map (PDF), Map Smålandsleden, Naturkartan
STF accommodation nearby: STF Gnosjö Hostel
Höglandsleden (Isaberg/Hestra – Munkebro)
Höglandsleden is also part of Smålandsleden. The section of Höglandsleden included in E6 begins in Hestra and eventually turns northeast after Eksjö. After Eksjö, you leave Höglandsleden/Smålandsleden at Munkebo, just south of Lake Västra Lägern, where the trail connects to Östgötaleden.
Distance: approx. 250 km
Trail marking: Orange markers. The trail is planned to be equipped with improved markings, signs and facilities.
Trail maps and books: Overview map (PDF), Map Smålandsleden (opens in new tab)
STF accommodation nearby: STF Gnosjö Hostel
Östgötaleden (Munkebo – Kvarsebo)
Östgötaleden consists of several sections that are relatively easy to hike. From Höglandsleden/Smålandsleden, you connect at Munkebo, where there is a direct link to Östgötaleden. The sections included in E6 total about 210 kilometres and pass close to Kisa, Rimforsa, Åtvidaberg and Skenäs.
From Skenäs, you need to take the Skenäs ferry (opens in new tab) across Bråviken. At Kvarsebo, the trail connects to Sörmlandsleden.
Distance: approx. 210 km
Trail marking: Orange markers.
Trail maps and books:
The links below open in a new tab.
Map Östgötaleden, Naturkartan
STF accommodation nearby: STF Vårdnäs Stiftsgård Hotel & Conference
Sörmlandsleden (Kvarsebo – Björkhagen)
Sörmlandsleden is a hiking trail of about 1,000 kilometres through Södermanland. The section that forms part of E6 is approximately 300 kilometres long. The route starts in Kvarsebo by the beautiful Bråviken and ends in the Stockholm suburb of Björkhagen, next to the Nacka Nature Reserve.
Distance: approx. 300 km
Trail marking: The trail is well marked with orange rings around trees and posts, signs with the text “Sörmlandsleden”, and S-arrows. Parts of the trail are also marked with blue E6 signs.
Tip: Read more about Sörmlandsleden (opens in new tab)
Trail maps and books:
The links below open in a new tab.
Map Sörmlandsleden, Friluftsatlas Sörmlandsleden (Calazo), Vandra Sörmlandsleden (Calazo)
STF accommodation nearby: STF Bränneriet vid Nynäs slott, STF Sävö Hostel, STF Hellasgården Hostel Stockholm
Roslagsleden (Björkhagen – Grisslehamn)
From Sörmlandsleden in southern Stockholm, you can travel by public transport or on foot to the start of Roslagsleden in Danderyd, just north of Stockholm. Parts of the trail run close to the coast, with opportunities for detours into the beautiful Roslagen archipelago. Along Roslagsleden you pass, among other places, Trehörningsskogen Nature Reserve, Norrtälje and Älmsta. The hike ends at the E6 terminus in Grisslehamn.
Distance: approx. 190 km
Trail marking: Marked with orange. However, information about markings is missing for some stages.
Trail maps and books: Naturkartan (opens in new tab)
STF accommodation nearby: STF Stockholm Skeppsholmen Hostel, STF Långholmen Hotel Stockholm, STF Zinkensdamm Hotel & Hostel Stockholm
Related pages
E-path 1
E1 in Sweden is a scenic hiking trail that runs from Halmstad to Grövelsjön.
E-paths in Sweden
It is actually possible to hike all the way from the North Cape to Sicily. In Sweden, these so-called European long-distance trails run either from Varberg to Grövelsjön or from Malmö to Grisslehamn.
Hiking trails in Sweden
On this page we present a selection of popular and high-quality trails across the country.