Hallandsleden

Hallandsleden is a long-distance hiking trail through Halland county on Sweden's west coast. The trail is divided into three partial trails and runs for over 450 km in total. We hiked the southern part, starting from Simlångsdalen, and were pleasantly surprised by how well maintained and easy to follow it was – and how few people we met, even in August.

The trail

Hallandsleden winds through forests, heathland, and coastal landscapes typical of Halland. The southern section we chose gave us a good mix of woodland and open stretches, with the trail clearly waymarked and easy to access from roads and towns. We had no trouble finding the path or staying on it; the signing is consistent and thoughtful.

Despite it being high season, we hardly met any other hikers. The trail felt like our own for long stretches – a rare thing for a well-developed long-distance path in summer. If you're after solitude without sacrificing ease of navigation, Hallandsleden is a strong candidate.

Camping and shelters

Sweden's right to roam (allemansrätten) means you can pitch a tent on most uncultivated land, as long as you're considerate and leave no trace. That gave us full freedom to camp where we liked when we didn't use the official spots.

Along the route there are shelters and designated campsites, so you're never far from a roof or a good place to stay. We used a mix of shelters and wild camping; both worked well. If you prefer not to carry a tent, the shelters make it possible to do the trail with minimal camping gear.

Food and resupply

We carried our own food and cooked ourselves. Resupply was straightforward: we stocked up roughly every second day in villages or small shops along or near the route. There was no need to carry more than a few days of food at a time, which kept our packs manageable. If you're used to long-distance hiking where you have to plan resupply carefully, Hallandsleden is relatively forgiving.

On the path

The southern part of Hallandsleden from Simlångsdalen offered exactly what we were looking for – a clear, quiet trail through varied Swedish landscape, with the flexibility to sleep in shelters or under the stars. The combination of good waymarking, low crowds, and Sweden's camping freedom made it a relaxed and rewarding trip.

If you're considering a multi-day hike in Sweden that doesn't require permits or crowded huts, Hallandsleden – and especially the southern section from Simlångsdalen – is well worth putting on your list.