National Geographic Traveller - UK (2019-09)

(Antfer) #1

BEST OF THE WEST


West Sweden has a wealth of activities for the adventurous, from island cycling to coastal hiking

Hit the slopes
From December through
to late April, West Sweden
transforms into a winter
wonderland for skiers.
The town of Ulricehamn
is particularly popular for
cross-country skiing, and
has hosted the FIS Cross-
Country World Cup twice.
Mösseberg mountain’s ski
centre, Falköping Alpin,
is located just 90 minutes
from Gothenburg and is
one of the most snow-
sure spots in Sweden.
Then, Skövde’s Billingen
mountain is a versatile
option for experts and
beginners alike.

Art on the go
Combine outdoor activity
with some culture
on an ‘art adventure’.
Kayak from the Nordic
Watercolour Museum
in Skärhamn, then hike
or cycle to world-class
outdoor park Pilane
and enjoy an art tour
that takes in sculptures
such as a gigantic horn
that can capture sonic
waves from above the
planet. ‘The World’s
Sweatiest Art Trail’ is well
mapped-out and can be
experienced in various
sized segments.
pilane.org/en

Make a run for it
West Sweden’s Meet the
Locals initiative offers
visitors the chance
to explore the region
with the people who
know it best. You can
trail-run through the
Änggårdsbergen nature
reserve with adventurer
Johan, or meet up with
Lars and his dog Fanny
for a ramble through
the countryside around
Alingsås. Many of the
tours are free, and you
can even arrange to stay
at the homes of some of
the locals.
meetthelocals.com

Take action
Running from 3 August-
September, West
Sweden Action Weeks
bring together a series
of running, canoeing,
cycling, swimming and
roller-skiing races across
the region. Highlights
include the Island Race
in Gothenburg’s southern
archipelago — the
world’s biggest swim-run
event. Then there’s the
Icebug Xperience, an
exciting trail-running
race through the
Bohuslän landscape.
westsweden.com/
westswedenactionweeks

Scenic cycling
West Sweden is a cyclist’s
paradise, with deep
forests, open fields,
narrow winding lanes,
and a dramatic coastline
ready to be explored on
two wheels. Mountain
biking in northern
Bohuslän is a highlight,
using Lagunen Camping
& Cabins as a base from
which to explore the
granite rocks of the
Kosterhavet National
Park. Lagunen has also
opened a new bike
park — a playground
for cyclists. lagunen.se
westsweden.com/cycling


WORDS: BABETTE-SCARLETT SCHOSSAU

HIGHLIGHTS

West Sweden 2019 9
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