HIGH COAST WINTER HIKE
EXPEDITION
The ultimate winter experience.
Do you want to experience a truly exciting and sometimes tough adventure with participants from all over the world, carrying all your gear to our different campsites? Then the High Coast Winter Hike and the Expedition group are for you.
DATE / LOCATION
The High Coast
FriluftsByn
6 - 8th Feb 2025
GROUPS
REGISTRATION
Opens Fri Oct 4th, 3:00 pm
Max 200 participants.
PRICE
Adult: 2 990 sek
Kids: 1 490 sek
Press play on the video, and we’ll tell you more about the adventure you truly shouldn’t miss!
WELCOME TO
EUROPE’S MOST POPULAR WINTER HIKE
The High Coast Winter Hike offers two different levels – Expedition and Explorer. Expedition is perfect for you if you want to hike longer distances and have prepared by hiking with a packed backpack. In this group, we carry all our equipment and make our way to two different campsites. However, you don’t need any prior experience with winter adventures.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXPEDITION
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ADVENTURE
EXPEDITION
THE HIKE »
Those of us embarking on the EXPEDITION carry all our equipment and start from the northern part of the National Park.
NIGHT CAMP »
During the EXPEDITION, you will overnight with the other hikers at two different campsites – Tärnättvattnet and Kälsviken.
THE COURSES »
Since many participants have never been on a winter adventure before, we start with the “Basic Course – Outdoor Life in Winter.” There will also be guides present throughout the adventure.
THE COMMUNITY »
Höga Kusten Winter Hike has been organized since 2014 and attracts participants from all over the world, creating a wonderful sense of community.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS
HIGH COASTWINTER HIKE
EXPEDITION
High Coast Winter Hike is the world’s largest winter hike, bringing together like-minded adventurers from all over the world since 2014, offering a fantastic combination of beautiful nature and great community.
We take care of snowshoes, food, buses, courses, guides, and a wonderful celebration, while you bring the necessary gear and choose between one of the two groups: Expedition, where we carry all our equipment and sleep at two different campsites, or Explorer, where we set up a base camp and hike with lighter packing. If you don’t have a tent or sleeping bag and can’t borrow from friends, you can rent them either from FriluftsByn or Naturkompaniet.
High Coast Winter Hike and the Expedition group are for those who feel comfortable with their tent and outdoor cooking setup and have prepared by hiking a few miles with a packed backpack, which will likely weigh between 15 and 20 kg.
Expedition is a tough but incredibly cool winter adventure that attracts participants from all over the world. No previous winter experience is required – just curiosity and a desire to discover something unique. Come join us!
HIGH COAST WINTER HIKE
February 6th – 8th, 2025
Adults: 2 990 SEK
Youth: (13-16 years) 1490 SEK
Kids: 12 years and younger – 990 SEK
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Three days of winter adventure through the World Heritage site and High Coasts highlights, including a basic winter outdoor skills course with FriluftsByn, Naturkompaniet, and Woolpower, rental of snowshoes, bus transportation from FriluftsByn, seven outdoor meals, gas from Primus, maps, expert assistance from Naturkompaniet and guides, transport of equipment on the final day. After-Hike celebration with live music. Outdoor Collective Beanie (worth 399 SEK) and free camping spot in FriluftsByn from Wednesday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday.
REGISTRATION EXPEDITION >>
HIGH COAST WINTER HIKE
PROGRAM
EXPEDITION
High Coast Winter Hike Expedition starts on Thursday at 09:00, and you are expected to return to FriluftsByn on Saturday around 15:00. However, most participants arrive on Wednesday and stay for the After-Hike on Saturday evening before heading home on Sunday.
DETAILED PROGRAM HIGH COAST WINTER HIKE >>
WEDNESDAY
Most participants arrive on Wednesday to join the pre-evening where we socialize, and you can also check-in and pick up your food and map. If you’re new to winter adventures, it’s a good idea to join the “Winter Outdoor Skills” course from 19:00 to 20:00. Many choose to practice camping in their tent to get some routine and ask questions before heading out, while others book a cabin or bed in FriluftsByn.
More info: Pre-evening >>
Dinner: Available for purchase at FriluftsByn
Accommodation: Tent space in FriluftsByn is included. Cabins or bed spaces can be booked.
THURSDAY
The adventure begins with a briefing at 09:00. Make sure your backpack is packed before the briefing, as the buses depart at 10:00 immediately after the session. We start our hike from the western entrance of Skuleskogen National Park, heading toward Tärnättholmarna. The hike is approximately 8 kilometers, with steep and challenging sections. In the evening, experts from Naturkompaniet will demonstrate how to set up a good campsite.
Distance: About 8 km in varied terrain.
Breakfast: Available for purchase at FriluftsByn
Lunch: Freeze-dried along the trail.
Dinner: Freeze-dried at the campsite.
Accommodation: Tent in Camp Tärnättvattnet
FRIDAY
We wake up in the heart of the National Park and start our day hiking at our own pace. We head toward the coast and make our way to Kälsviken, where we’ll arrive by lunchtime. Here, we’ll enjoy lunch, set up camp, and then take a lighter top-hike up Slåttdalsberget. Once back in camp, a warm meal awaits, along with campfires and the opportunity to take an ice plunge with Woolpower.
Distance: About 8 km, varied terrain.
Breakfast: Freeze-dried
Lunch: Freeze-dried
SATURDAY
Today, we head back toward civilization as we follow the High Coast Trail for about 10 km, reaching the summit of Skuleberget. After a relaxing break at the Top Cabin, we hike back to FriluftsByn, take a warm shower, and get ready to celebrate our accomplishments at the After-Hike.
Breakfast: Freeze-dried
Lunch: Freeze-dried
Dinner: Available for purchase at After-Hike.
Accommodation: Tent site in FriluftsByn included. Cottage or bed space can be booked.
SUNDAY
Sunday is usually a wonderful day. You wake up, and there’s breakfast available for purchase in the Vardagsrummet. Your body feels wonderfully sore, as it often does after an adventure, and your mind is filled with great memories. After a relaxing morning, most people start heading home around lunchtime.
Breakfast: Available for purchase in FriluftsByn.
Return trip: Travel, Accommondation & Food >>
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS
It’s really the combination of majestic nature and the amazing community at the camps that makes the High Coast Winter Hike such a wonderful adventure. During the hike, you will experience everything from deep forests, frozen coastline, to magnificent coastal mountains. Here are some of the highlights to look forward to.
Day 1: Stampberget. At lunchtime, we reach the summit of Stampberget with a view of the World Heritage High Coast.
Day 1: Slåttdalsskrevan. Just before we reach the campsite, we pass through the dramatic crevice in the National Park.
Day 1: Camp Tärnättvattnet. We arrive just as it begins to get dark. Now we light the fires and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
Day 2: Kustvandring. We begin our second day by hiking with the sea in sight.
Day 2: Camp Kälsviken. At lunchtime, we reach our second camp. It will be nice to take a nap.
Day 2: Slåttdalsberget. From the camp, we do a summit hike with lighter packing.
Day 3: Skuleberget. After lunch, we reach the finish at the top of the World Heritage site, High Coast.
Day 3: After-Hike. Of course, we celebrate the achievement. See you in the FriluftsByn’s Living Room.
How challenging is the adventure?
It depends a bit on which group—Explorer or Expedition—you choose. Expedition requires you to be physically prepared. Explorer does as well, but we hike with lighter packs and cover shorter distances, making it "easier."
In the Expedition group, we hike carrying all our gear: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, food, drink, and clothes. This means your backpack will weigh around 15 kg or more, depending on whether you’re sharing a tent and, of course, your equipment. Expedition demands that your body is used to carrying a loaded backpack.
In the Explorer group, we start by setting up a base camp and then hike with lighter packs—carrying just your stove, food, drink, and extra layers. If you have decent physical fitness, you’ll manage it with ease.
Most participants in both groups haven’t camped or snowshoed before. However, you need to know how to use the equipment you bring, such as pitching your tent and handling your camping stove.
You can find more details about each group here:
Can I adjust the adventure if I get tired?
If you're feeling a bit tired or an old injury starts acting up, our guides are here to help you take a few shortcuts, letting you reach your camp earlier so you can relax and wait for the rest of the group.
If you need to pull out completely, we have specific spots where we can arrange pick-up. However, keep in mind that it may still require a fair bit of hiking to reach the nearest evacuation point.
There are guides at the front and back of each group, and you'll also encounter guides along the trail.
Together, we'll make sure you have an awesome winter experience.
Who are the other participants?
The Explorer group attracts everyone from complete beginners with a decent fitness level to experienced winter hikers looking for an exciting adventure with others. It’s ideal for those who want to hike with lighter packs and enjoy plenty of breaks along the way.
The Expedition group draws in people who have some hiking experience, though for most, it’s their first time using snowshoes or camping in winter conditions.
Most participants come solo and quickly get to know the other hikers, while some bring friends or family along.
About half of the group usually comes from Sweden, with the other half made up of participants from across Europe.
Some join because they love the idea of heading out together, while others come to enjoy some solo time and choose to hike certain stretches more independently. There’s room for all types of experiences, and that’s probably what creates such an incredibly relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Does everyone hike together?
We’ll set off together—Expedition from one spot and Explorer from another. Often, you’ll naturally fall in step with other hikers who have a similar pace right from the start. But you’re free to walk at your own rhythm all the way to the camp.
Guides are posted at the front and back of each group, and you’ll also encounter them along the trails.
Usually, it’s a mix of hiking with a few others, going solo for a bit, and then running into new people along the way. You might meet someone who’s just the right pace for you and decide to team up. You get the idea. It’s going to be a good time.
Is it easy to find your way?
Throughout the hike, we’ll follow marked trails. However, the trails in Höga Kusten aren’t adapted for winter, so markers are often hidden under snow. That’s why our guides go out in advance to make sure there are tracks to follow, making it easy to find your way.
Still, it’s a good idea to keep track of where you are. When you check in for the adventure, you’ll receive a map, and we’ll go over it together before heading out. Landmarks are well-marked in the terrain, so it’s simple to keep your bearings.
Each group tends to spread out quite a bit, so you may not always see other participants, but guides are positioned at the front and back of every group. You’ll also come across guides along the trail who can answer any questions.
When you check in, you’ll get a phone number to call if anything comes up. Most of the route has cell coverage.
Food and drinks
Food from Thursday lunch to Saturday lunch:
Since we’ll be hiking at our own pace and we want everyone to enjoy meals whenever they’re hungry or find a beautiful spot, most of the meals consist of high-quality freeze-dried dishes.
We offer a wide variety, and you’ll choose and collect your freeze-dried meals at check-in. You’ll pick up two breakfasts and three meals. Naturally, we cater to special dietary needs; just specify them when signing up for the adventure.
Included meals:
Thursday:
Lunch: Freshly prepared meal at FriluftsByn.
Dinner: Freeze-dried meal (1)
Friday:
Breakfast: Freeze-dried breakfast (1)
Lunch: Freeze-dried meal (2)
Dinner: Prepared dinner in the base camp.
Saturday:
Breakfast: Freeze-dried breakfast (2)
Lunch: Freeze-dried meal (3)
Please bring your own snacks, sweets, nuts, coffee, tea, and any other beverages. It’s also a good idea to pack electrolyte tablets or powder. For water, you’ll melt snow during breaks, so don’t forget a thermos.
Outside these times, you can purchase breakfast and dinner at FriluftsByn. These meals aren’t included in the registration since some participants may be staying with friends or elsewhere.
You can find more details about meals here:
Travel, Accommodation, and Food >>
More about the night camps
While participants in the Explorer group set up a base camp and hike with lighter packs, we in the Expedition group carry all our gear and make two different night camps, allowing us to explore more areas.
Each night camp has campfires and outdoor toilets. Guides will also be present at the camps to lend a hand if needed.
On the second night of the adventure, the Explorer and Expedition groups share a campsite, where we’ll have a grill night, and for those interested, there’s a chance to try ice dipping.
Most participants have never camped overnight in winter before, and many often say it’s an unforgettable experience. It feels safe with others around, and the vibe is always warm and welcoming.
We’ve gathered a few tips on how to make your night camp even more comfortable here:
Check-in and check-out
For your safety, you need to check out before setting off on each day’s hike and check back in when you return to the base camp.
The check-in and check-out is a staffed station located at the base camp.
Guides will also hike at the front and back of the group each day, so if all goes as planned—which it usually does—we’ll know everyone has reached the night camp when the guides at the back arrive.
By checking in and out, we get an extra layer of assurance that everyone has headed out and made it back. It adds to overall safety.
Transport of Equipment
In the Explorer group, we bring all our gear to the bus that takes us to the starting point. After the bus ride, there’s a 900-meter hike to the base camp where you’ll carry all your equipment. Throughout the adventure, you’ll store any gear you don’t need for day hikes in your tent.
In the Expedition group, we also bring all our equipment to the buses, but then carry it with us throughout the hike.
On the third and final day, all participants have the option to send their tents and sleeping bags back to FriluftsByn.
The adventure finishes at the summit of Skuleberget, and after hiking down to FriluftsByn at the mountain’s base, you’ll find your gear waiting. This is also where we’ll host the After-Hike celebration.
At some point in life, you should embark on a winter adventure. The High Coast Winter Hike and the Expedition group take you through some of the World Heritage High Coast’s most stunning highlights, alongside like-minded people from all around the world.
Expedition eller Explorer? Watch the video and we will tell you more about the two options. Hope to see you there!