Hiking in autumn: 13 new STF Signature Trails in Sweden

As summer slowly draws to a close, southern Sweden enters a particularly beautiful season for hiking. Temperatures are often still pleasant, nature shows its rich colours and, once the high season is over, many trails become much quieter. Anyone looking for clear air, peaceful landscapes and exercise in nature will now find ideal conditions for an active holiday.

This is where the 13 new Signature Trails selected by the Swedish Tourist Association STF come in. These so-called Signaturleder stand for routes that make the country’s diverse landscapes especially easy to experience. Many of them are in southern Sweden and are well suited for tours that can be completed in just a few days. This is particularly interesting for travellers who want to spend a lot of time outdoors without planning a long trekking trip.

Why southern Sweden is ideal for autumn hiking

The mild climate keeps hiking attractive even after summer. Conditions in southern Sweden are often pleasant: not too hot, less crowded and well suited for longer stages. At the same time, autumn transforms the landscape in a noticeable way. Forests, coasts and open terrain often appear even more striking now than in the summer months.

For travellers this mainly means more peace and more closeness to nature. Those who explore Sweden on foot experience the landscape, the weather and their surroundings more directly. That is exactly what makes many autumn hikes so appealing.

13 new routes that reveal different sides of Sweden

The new STF Signature Trails have been chosen to represent very different landscapes and regions. Instead of offering the same type of hike again and again, they highlight contrasts. Some lead through forests and along lakes, others through coastal scenery, over rocky ground or through areas shaped by local culture.

For holidaymakers who want to plan an active stay, these routes offer useful guidance. They make it easier to choose trails that are rich in scenery and that also fit well into a shorter trip to Sweden.

An example: Kuststigen on Sotenäs

Among the newly selected routes is a section of the Kuststigen on the Sotenäs peninsula in Bohuslän on Sweden’s west coast. The 74 kilometre stretch brings together many of the region’s highlights: picturesque fishing villages, smooth granite rocks, old beech forests and wide views over the coastal landscape.

This variety is what makes the route so appealing. The trail alternates between open sections by the sea and quieter stretches of greenery. The result is a hiking experience that is both physically engaging and rich in scenery.

Who the new Signature Trails are ideal for

The new routes are aimed above all at travellers who want to experience Sweden outside the classic summer holidays. They suit people who enjoy spending time outdoors, who like to take in nature consciously and who value reliable, carefully selected trails.

• Ideal for an active autumn holiday
• Well suited for multi-day tours
• Diverse landscapes within a manageable distance
• Appealing for beginners and experienced hikers

Anyone who explores southern Sweden on foot in autumn quickly feels how well exercise and landscape come together here. The new STF Signature Trails provide inspiring ideas and open up a fresh view of familiar regions.