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Five Fantastic Swedish Active Holidays
It is a year of celebration for Sweden: the Scandinavian country celebrates 500 years in 2023, with 6th June 1523 traditionally considered as the date of the foundation of modern Sweden.
The landmark anniversary is widely anticipated to be marked in a spectacular way during next month’s national holiday, making 2023 the perfect time to plan an active break with UTracks to take in the country’s great outdoors.
A short distance away from the nation’s capital, royal palaces and castles are interspersed with pine forests, open green fields and vast sparkling lakes. With a relaxed pace on your bike, use the rather intriguing system of suspension bridges to reach smaller islands, swim in the clean waters, enjoy al fresco picnic lunches in beautiful Nature Reserves and stop at Taxinge Manor House to taste its famous cakes.
A steamboat will take you back to Stockholm, with plenty of time to stroll through 13th century Gamla Stan (old town) or see elk, Sweden’s national animal, on a visit at the Nordic Zoo.
>> View Sweden: Land of Lakes and Castles
One of the most family-friendly countries in the world, Sweden is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, with open meadows, pristine forests, glittering lakes and extensive archipelagos waiting to be explored!
Starting and finishing in the capital Stockholm, the so-called ‘Venice of the north’, this weeklong itinerary is especially designed for active families with children from 10 years old, with activities including some gentle hiking and cycling, a canoe trip at Lake Marviken, travelling by steamboat, enjoying refreshing swims, camping by the lake and staying at a farmhouse.
>> View Swedish Summer Family Adventure
Sweden’s capital spreads out across 14 islands, each providing a different perspective of the city. Sörmland, often described as the country’s southernmost wilderness, lies southwest of Stockholm and is known for its pine forests, open green fields and vast lakes.
Hiking through nature reserves and traditional villages is the perfect start to this trip, which then takes you to Stockholm’s southern archipelago and its 24,000 islands. With a relaxed pace, over a week there is ample time to hike trails in manor house grounds and swim in the refreshing Baltic waters.
>> View Sweden: Island Hopping Walk
Take advantage of the long summer days to soak up the atmosphere of Stockholm’s southern archipelago, which stretches 50 miles across the Baltic Sea.
Kick-off this weeklong trip strolling through the unique Ecopark, the world’s first National Park to be located within a bustling city, or exploring the nearby Tyresta National Park, whose trees date back over 400 years. Further highlights include the 17th century seaside town of Trosa, also known in Sweden as ‘the World’s End’; the deserted sandy beaches on Ålö island; and the Sörmlandsleden hiking trail through Sävö Island Nature Reserve.
>> View Sweden: Hiking Stockholm and Beyond
Swedish Lapland in winter is astonishingly beautiful with a subtle mountain landscape interspersed with frozen rivers, lakes and snow-blanketed forests. Take advantage of the low precipitation micro-climate at Abisko National Park to maximise your chances to view the Northern Lights and take the chairlift to the Aurora Sky Station, where a guide will provide commentary on this otherworldly phenomenon. Two nights are spent at the original Ice Hotel, while on the final evening, you will hunt for the Northern Lights on snowmobiles.
>> View Sweden Northern Lights and Ice Hotel
Discover Sweden on an active holiday
>> View Sweden: Land of Lakes and Castles
>> View Swedish Summer Family Adventure
>> View Sweden: Island Hopping Walk
>> View Sweden: Hiking Stockholm and Beyond
>> View Sweden Northern Lights and Ice Hotel
>> View all Swedish Active Holidays
Have you explored stunning Sweden before? Let us know in the comments below.