Skuleskogen national park in Sweden is monumental nature area. Apart from the main attraction of the geological phenomena of Slattdalskrevan, it offers amazing forrest, sea, lake and other views. It is very well maintained, offering free parking and camping locations. Plus clear navigation system. Long distance “High coast” trail leads right through it. More information about this amazing park HERE.
More about the long distance trail HERE
GETTING THERE
Stockholm – 500km (5h 30min)
Gothenburg – 850km (9h 45min)
Trondheim, Norway – 510km (6h 45min)
By car: Park at one of the three entrances to the park, depending which hike you wish to do. Each entrance has free large parking lot.
By public transport: It does not seem there is any public transport going to any of the entrances.
Camper/ Van overnight stay: You can stay overnight at each of Skuleskogen parking lots for free. The south entrance has the most challenging entrance for campers, a lot of potholes and the longes gravel road. It is doable, but take note of this. If you need showers or electricity, there is paid campsite 4km from the north entrance, called Naske Lax. Price in 2024 was 200 SEK, 50 SEK for electricity. Showers and use of sauna are free. You can buy delicious smoked salmon at this location, highly recommended even if you just passing by and not staying at the campsite. Cash or Vips only for all payments. More information HERE
TRAIL NAVIGATION
You could navigate Skuleskogen trails without additional navigation. There is a map at each park entrance, I suggest to take picture. Alternatively there are also printed physical maps available at each entrance in Swedish, English and German, which you can take with you. All routes are very well marked in both directions by blue or orange dots, depending on your route. The orange one marks longer distance trail (Hoga Kusten) that goes through the park, but you can take any hike or loop that you like. Design your own hike depending on available time and ability, choosing from range of various trails.
As Slattdalskrevan is the most popular place, here are my estimated distances from each park entrance ONE WAY:
South: 3km
North: 4,5km
West: 7km
TRAIL DETAILS
You might have minimal to no phone reception in Skuleskogen park. So make sure you are comfortable with the navigation and do all the research before visiting. Sometimes the phone signal stops already at the parking lots.
SOUTH TO TARNATTVATTNEN
Following blue signs, about 6km
From lower part of the parking lot, where is designated camper parking, go down on the wide and easy gravel path. Once you reach the campsite and beach, follow along the coast through the woods. This is easy forrest dirt path trail with some occasional tree roots, small stones and planks. Once you reach the first road split towards inland, take it. The climb will quickly bring you from forrest to open stone area. It is mainly easy terrain, but some scrambling here and there is needed. But you are rewarded to beautiful views. Not only on the sea and islands but also further hills, stone fields and the terrain is made from red/pink granite with some green moss on them. Personally this was my favourite part of Skuleskogen park. Also in these stony areas lives Lynx, although its very rare to see one. Once you reach the peak, after short walk you arrive at Tarnattvattnen. From here follow orange route to Slattdalskrevan or continue on one of the blue trails.
SOUTH TO TARNATTVATTNEN
Following orange signs, about 4,5km
Follow orange trail from higher part of the parking lot over the planks. The uphill parts are at mild gradient and then more and more parts are on forrest trail with tree roots and small boulders. Relatively easy until stone fields, here you need to take care with foot placement. Enjoy the plank walk until the final climb. The climb is steep and technical, but it is not very long, just take your time. Shortly after passing large boulder stuck between two wall faces, you are nearly at the Slattdalskrevan. After enjoying the views, you can continue on the right side to do one more short uphill climb, then walking along but further away from the edge of the walls. You start descent at first with some help of ladders and then scramble over boulders almost all the way to Tarnattvattnen. Shortly after the last ladder, it is possible to do small side trip to see Slattdalskrevan from the other side. If you want to go only to the Slattdalskrevan and back, it is about 3km one way.
NORTH TO TARNATTVATTNEN
Following orange signs, about 3km
Start short walk downhill on easy trail towards lake and the sea with small sand beach, then short distance along the coastline. Enjoy mostly easy trail with short section over boulders. After about 1km from the entrance, turn inland and uphill at the sign. The trail is forrest trail at easy gradient with some tree roots and boulders. It is beautiful forrest full of “old mans beard”. Pass by a waterfall, which was the highlight of this trail for me. Continue uphill through similar terrain, all the way to the small lake. After initial scramble over boulders, you get to plank walk which brings you almost all the way to Tarnattvattnen. From here it is another 1,5km to Slattdalskrevan, parts are bit of scramble over boulders, the upper part is easier over rocks, short ladders and planks.
NORTH TO TARNATTHOLMARNA
Following blue signs, about 3,5km
Same start as described above for the orange trail, but at the turn continue along the coastline all the way to small islands. This is good hike for people who do not like/can’t do uphills but still want to enjoy Skuleskogen park. It is very peaceful forrest trail, which is mostly easy with occasional slightly harder but brief section over tree roots and boulders. The “islands” are really nice and I recommend going all the way to the end. If you have limited time at the park, I do recommend skipping this part. But if you have time and energy, it is nice addition to fully explore the park.
WEST TO SLATTDALSKREVAN
Following blue and orange signs, about 7km
Follow blue trail on very easy terrain on planks and gravel paths, descending slightly until lake Langtjarnen. From here the trail is easy trail on forrest dirt path with some tree roots on and occasional plank. The trail is easy, but I went after night of heavy rain and it was very muddy. You pass campsite Norrsvedjebodarna after which you will need start climbing slight uphills through forrest until you reach rocky areas, there will be still mix of forrest trails and boulders and planks. The rocks are red/pink granite with green moss. I’m not sure about the views as it was extremely foggy for me, so you might have some nice views at the higher parts. You need to descent relatively steep hill just before joining the orange trail. Once you come to the crossing follow to the right towards Slattdalskrevan. From here is mostly planks along lake/boggy field until the final climb. The climb is steep and technical, but it is not very long, just take your time. Shortly after passing large boulder stuck between two wall faces, you are nearly at the Slattdalskrevan. You can either follow for further loop or go same way back.
OTHER TRAILS IN SKULESKOGEN
I have not tested the below trails, but still want to mention as an option
North: At the start of the north trail are two short loops, which looked very nice.
South: South to Norrsvedjebodarna, this can be potentially also nice hike and can be done as a loop from south or even north entrance.
Middle: There is part between Gammbodarna and Naskebodarna, can be nice to be done as part of various loops
Slattsdalsberget: There is blue trail to visit this peak. I was sad to miss this one. I expect this hike to feature amazing views
WHICH TRAIL TO CHOOSE?
It is hard to say which is the best entrance or trail in Skuleskogen, as they are really all beautiful and feature slightly different highlights. Unfortunately there is no single loop covering Skuleskogen national park. You can choose just about any entrance, all the hikes are beautiful. If you have time to do only one hike, my personal recommendation is the loop from south entrance. Start on blue trail towards Kalsviken and then up to Tarnattvatnett and then back to south on orange trail over Slattdalskrevan. In my opinion this will give you taste of almost all the different fauna and flora of the park. It is one of few true loops you could do, with no trail overlap and is about 11km long.
MORE DETAILS
Tree coverage: Depending on the trail chosen. Sun protection is recommended for the open areas.
Geocaching: There are some geocaches and Adventure labs. Adventure labs only at the west and north entrance. Load geocaches for offline use in case you use phone.
Dogs: If your dog is used to strenuous hikes in technical terrain. Dogs must be leashed. Some parts have ladders that are just metal grills and might be scary or uncomfortable for dogs.
Shoes recommendation: All routes can be completed in trail runners with good profile.
Trail running: The terrain is pretty technical for running, especially in some parts, good for experienced trail runners. In September, you can join a race going through the park, more info HERE
FACILITIES
Except for restrooms, there are no other facilities around Skuleskogen, not even at the trail start or in walking distance from the start, so make sure to bring sufficient drinks and nutrition with you.
Public restrooms: At several locations across park, at the entrances and at the designated campsites, refer to map for exact location
Restaurants: None
Shops: None
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I completed 3 different hikes around Skuleskogen in September 2024 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. I had various weather conditions, one day warm and sunny at first then cloudy with showers, one day with strong winds and rain, one day extremely foggy. Although it was already end of season and the weather was not ideal, there were some people around, especially on Sunday. I started each day around 8-9am and it took some time before I start running into people. I met most people on my way back. It seems it is worth to get up little early if you want to avoid crowds. I expect in season, nice weather and on the weekend, all trails to be busy. Many people also camp within the park in tents or huts or in campers at the entrances.
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