The national trail system is comprised of almost 5,500 km of marked trails, with 2,250 km in Norrbotten and 1,940 in Jämtland. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the main body, but it is the county administrative boards in Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Jämtland and Dalarna counties that are responsible for the direct management and maintenance of the trails.
Bridges, rest shelters and rowboats are also included in the national trail system.
Besides the national trails, there is a trail system totalling almost 2,250 km around communities and tourist facilities in the mountain regions. Municipalities, local tourist associations and private establishments manage the trails.
Marked trails
Winter trails are marked with poles with a red cross at the top, so-called trail cross, which are located 40 metres apart from each other. Two crosses on a pole indicate that the trail changes direction. Some stretches of the trail have ruskor as indicators. Ruskor (branches with twigs at the end) are also used when winter trails go over lakes and watercourses. Summer trails are comprised of a well-worn path with painted poles/stones, where the trail is difficult to follow. In forest country, colour indicators can be on trees.
Often, summer and winter trails have the same direction and are then winter trail indicated. Winter and summer trails have different markings on a map. Note that certain winter trails are difficult to follow during the summer, since they pass both wet marshes and lakes – keep an eye out for this with the help of a map and the trail signage along the trails.
Rest shelters
Strategically located along trails in the mountains, rest shelters are important for safety. They are intended for resting and in emergency situations and are not considered for overnight usage. They are equipped with a wood heating stove and bunks. The wood is only for usage in emergency situations. Most rest shelters in the national trail system have emergency telephones. Dry toilets and refuse rooms are often located at the rest shelters.
Bridges
Bridges are located on the most frequented trails, where summer trails cross larger watercourses. Certain exposed bridges are disassembled after the summer season to not risk damaging them from the weight of the snow, the clearing of ice or the spring runoff. Certain trails become impassable when the bridge is not in place. Note! If you tour early or late in the summer season, you should therefore assure yourself that the actual bridges are in place. Contact your respective county administrative board.
Rowboats
Rowing trails with at least one rowboat on each shore are located where the trails traverse larger watercourses or lakes. These are indicated on mountain maps. Those who use the boats are responsible to ensure that one boat is on each side of the water. This can mean that the rowing must be done three times. First, you have to row over to the other side to get the boat there, row back with it in tow, pull this boat up on the shore to then row over again to the spot from where you will continue you hike. On the most frequented trails, there are three rowboats, which can save the hiker extra rowing trips. The boats are only to be used for crossings. After usage, the boat is pulled up and properly tied. Nobody has the right to request a rental fee of the individual using the boats. On or around September 20, the rowboats are pulled out of the water and secured for winter storage.
Boats are located at the following places along the Royal Trail (Kungsleden)
• Laitaure, map BD10 on Kungsleden, three boats.
• Sitojaure (Kåbtåjaure), map BD10, on Kungsleden, three boats.
• Teusajaure, map BD8, on Kungsleden, three boats. Mountain management at the county administrative board in Norrbotten is responsible and will inform when the boats are put in and pulled out.
Note! Contact the administrative board if you do a tour early or late in the summer season. Private motorboat rides at the detailed locations are available as an alternative to rowing, when a hut custodian is present at STF’s mountain huts at these lakes. (For the mountain huts Aktse, Sitojaure and Teusajaure) Information and viewpoints To get further information or if you would like to express a viewpoint, contact the Swedish EPA or respective county administrative board. They can also provide information regarding regulations for national parks, nature reserves and snowmobile-prohibited areas.
Internet addresses and telephone numbers
Swedish EPA, Stockholm, www.fjallsaker.nu 08-698 10 00.
County administrative board Norrbotten, www.fjallen.nu 0920-960 00.
County administrative board in Västerbotten, www.ac.lst.se 090-10 70 00.
County administrative board i Jämtland, www.z.lst.se 063-14 60 00.
County administrative board in Dalarna, www.w.lst.se 023-810 00.
