Saturday 28 May 2022 • Promotional Content
Worldwide travel Te Travel Guide 23
PHOTOGRAPH: PER PIXEL PETERSSON
PHOTOGRAPH: JONAS INGMAN
Scenic hikes: Gothenburg’s nearby trails G
othenburg is known for its friendliness and maritime charm, vibrant cultural scene
and world-class restaurants. Located on the Sweden’s wonderful west coast, the country’s second-largest city also attracts many nature-loving travellers. For five years in a row, Gothenburg has been named the world’s most sustainable destination — and adventure is never far away: On the seaside, wide open spaces
and an archipelago of more than 8,000 islands are waiting to be explored. Meanwhile in the interior, Nordic forests, lakes and rugged headlands promise outstanding outdoor expe- riences. All throughout the year and always just a short ride by train, bus or boat away.
Through wild nature and a Swedish countryside Two hiking trails that both take wanderers through an exciting cultural and natural landscape have their starting point directly in the city centre:
Te 44-mile-long Gotaleden
connects Gothenburg with Alingsås, known as the ‘capital of fika’ on account of its many cafes. Along the way, you’ll cross nature reserves and an undulating countryside that includes viewpoints, lakes and places to eat and sleep. Historic environments are
a recurring theme as one travels: take a break at the well-preserved brick buildings of Jonsereds Fabriker, which today house the Poppels microbrewery, or at the Garveriet in Floda, an old tannery turned into a restaurant focused on local food. Nääs Fabriker in Tollered is another old industrial site along the route that offers accommodation, food and a relaxing spa. Te second historical hike
is the pilgrimage through the Gota River valley, starting at the Masthuggskyrkan in Gothenburg. Here, you can follow in the footsteps
of the pilgrims that once took this route on their way to St Olav’s grave in today’s Trondheim. Te trail takes you through an ancient
forest and
rural idyll, along charming sites like Hjärtom or Lödöse, before connecting to the pilgrim routes northwards.
Top tip: spring and
autumn are the best times to go hiking,
since fewer people are on the track.
Coastal trails and picturesque fishing villages Te best way to discover the seaside by foot is the Kuststigen, a variation of hiking trails along the whole west coast, through a landscape formed by the sea and the people who have lived here
for thousands of years. A new part of the trail connects
the islands of Hönö, Fotö, Öckerö and Hälsö, which can be reached easily by bus and ferry from Gothenburg’s centre. Te hike leads you to sandy beaches between shallow rocks, through meadows rich in birdlife, and up to heights offering views over the
Find all the hiking trails in West Sweden on
westsweden.com/hiking
Hiking tours in West Sweden by UK tour operators: Group travel Gothenburg/Gotaleden by HF Holidays:
hfholidays.co.uk Island-hopping including Dyrön by Original Travel:
originaltravel.co.uk Island-hopping including Dyrön and Gotaleden by Te Natural Adventure:
thenaturaladventure.com Kuststigen trail, point to point, by Macs Adventure:
macsadventure.com
strait of Skagerrak. Jump into the sea, take a break in a fishing village and sleep in one of the many cabins, B&Bs or hotels on the islands. Another coastal hiking high-
light not far from Gothenburg is the walking trail around Dyrön. Enjoy the typical archipelago landscape with various rock types, rare plants and a herd of Mouflon sheep freely roaming the small island. A favourite among travellers who
want to experience both the coastline and relaxed lifestyle
is Marstrand.
Te former fisher village by Carlstens Fortress has developed into a centre for sailing and maritime food. Te scenic harbour, colourful wooden
Coastal life, wild nature and industrial culture — in Gothenburg, West Sweden, you’ll find trailheads to several hiking adventures directly from the city centre
houses, narrow pedestrian streets and restaurants are frequented by locals and visitors alike. But even here, it’s easy to exchange
the lively atmosphere for tranquillity: the Koön hiking trails take you along Marstrand’s coastline, where you can soon find yourself alone with the sea and West Sweden’s fantastic nature.
PHOTOGRAPH: KATJA RAGNSTAM
PHOTOGRAPH: JONAS INGMAN
PHOTOGRAPH: KATJA RAGNSTAM
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