Checklist: How to plan for your hike

How long should a day hike be?

– When it comes to day trips, it is nice to look out in advance for a place that is suitable to stop and have lunch or coffee. Preferably a beautiful place with a nice view or by a lake or perhaps by a shelter where there is a fireplace. The length depends entirely on how hilly the terrain is, but 15 to 20 kilometers can be enough to enjoy nature as well. “The most important thing is to get out,” says Sofia Johansson.

What do I need to consider in terms of clothing for a day hike?

– Depending on the season, it varies how much clothing you need to wear, but I always wear a thin merino wool sweater on top and wool socks on the bottom. If it’s cold, you can then build up with different thick warming layers. I would also bring a shell jacket that can withstand wind and water to wear on the outside and a shell pant/rain pant if the weather gets worse. A pair of hiking pants is always a good investment and preferably a type that provides good freedom of movement while being durable so that you can manage without tears. Shoes are a bit of a chapter in themselves. If the terrain is muddy and hilly, a boot is good, but if it’s an easier hike, a sturdy sneaker may be enough. For both shorter and longer hikes, it is important to remember to break in your shoes!

What do I need to consider for this type of hike?

– Sleeping in a shelter for several days? Then it is extra important that you bring several underwear so that you can always put on dry clothes when you go to bed, otherwise you will never feel warm. Another tip is to always bring poles for the tours with a backpack, then you get support both up and down, says Sofia Johansson and continues:

– You also need to think about what to do with your food if you sleep outside. Plan a menu that can be prepared from freeze-dried food. If you’re bringing an open-air kitchen, there are several different options, but you’ll usually get a long way with one that runs on gas. For a multi-day trip, you will therefore need to buy a storm kitchen if you do not eat in the cabins / guesthouses that may be on the road.

How does it affect my packing if I change my sleeping place or keep the same one?

– The big difference will be that packing will be much lighter during the days if you sleep in the same place, as you often leave some of your packing at base camp. Otherwise, you still need the same set of hiking clothes.

If I were to invest in something for the hike – what would it be?

– If you sleep outside, a good sleeping bag and sleeping pad that can withstand the cold from the ground is essential. Being able to sleep well at night will make the daytime experience so much better. A comfortable night is something you will always want no matter how experienced you are so that’s where I would start my investment in terms of sleeping gear. Or you can invest in overnight stays in cabins, something that can be recommended for the beginner.

What could be the challenges in this walk?

– The big challenge is that you’re carrying all your belongings with you. There is often a trade-off between comfort and weight. Something you should definitely do before the first longer trip is to practice some of the steps at home, especially those that can be time consuming once you are in place. For example, setting up and folding the tent, both so you know you have all the parts under control, but also to get some routine. The same goes for the outdoor kitchen. Train beforehand so that you have all the gadgets under control and so that the lunch hour isn’t over before you’ve managed to get the stuff on fire.

How do I prepare for a longer hike?

– When I plan longer hikes, it’s often because I want to get to a specific destination or see something special along the way. Once I know which points I really want to pass, I get a map to draw up a route and set daily stages that are reasonable. Once I know how many days I will be out, I start planning for food. If I’m going to be out for several weeks without being able to stock up, I usually use freeze-dried food that is ready to add boiling water. If I’m only going to be out for a couple of days, I might luxuriate in more fresh food that I cook along the way,” says Sofia Johansson and continues:

– Food takes up quite a lot of space and weight, so you’ll find out pretty quickly what you prefer. You should definitely not underestimate the energy consumption when hiking with a heavy pack. One tip is therefore to have energy-rich snacks readily available. For example, chocolate or nuts are great to have in your pocket.

When is the best time of year to go camping in Sweden?

– All seasons have their charms and you can camp in minus 20 degrees just as well as in 20 plus degrees, but the colder it is, the more knowledge and experience you need. In summer, hiking in the beech forests of Skåne or Halland is fantastic. In late summer and autumn, the mountain world is absolutely magical when the colors start to change in yellow, red and orange.