The Wilderness Road: Sweden’s Most Scenic Drive

Magnificent mountains, mesmerising lakes, snowy peaks – and a good chance of spotting reindeer or even bears. If you thought you’d have to travel far above the Arctic Circle to experience these things in Scandinavia, think again. The Wilderness Road in Sweden (Vildmarksvägen) is the country’s highest paved road and takes you right through some of its most remote and spectacular landscapes.

What is the Wilderness Road

The Wilderness Road – or Vildmarksvägen, as the locals call it – is a scenic route through some of Sweden’s most stunning and remote landscapes. This epic road trip showcases the very best the country has to offer. Think alpine forests, waterfalls, underwater caves, reindeer plains high above the tree line, vast mountains, and protected Sámi heritage sites.

The route is over 500 km long, but the true highlight is crossing the Stekenjokk Plateau. Due to long, harsh winters, this section is only accessible from early June until October.

The classic Wilderness Road itinerary

The classic Vildmarksvägen circuit starts in Strömsund in northern Jämtland and winds along the Norwegian border. It ends in Vilhelmina in the Västerbotten province, which is part of Swedish Lapland. From there, you can head back to Strömsund via Dorotea, continuing on the E45 to Östersund or northeast to Umeå.

While it’s possible to do the drive in just a couple of days, we recommend allowing at least four to take it all in. There are plenty of picturesque camping spots – whether you’re in a camper or a tent – and we’ve also included some cosy guesthouses and hotels if you’d prefer a bit more comfort.

Day 1 – Strömsund to Hällingsåfallet: nostalgia, bears and canyons

Kick off your adventure in Strömsund with a wander through the charming Hembygdsgård. It’s an open-air heritage museum with historic buildings, Sámi culture, and a cosy café serving local treats.

You might notice references to Dunderklumpen, a beloved animated character from a 1974 Swedish film created by Beppe Wolgers. The magical adventure takes place in the very landscapes you’re about to explore.

From Strömsund, follow route 342 towards Gäddede. Alternatively, take the Björnvägen (“Bear Road”) on the opposite side of Lake Vattudalen. This unpaved route winds through the region with the highest brown bear population in the world. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, deer, and birds of prey too.

About an hour after Strömsund, reach Bågede and turn off to Hällingsåfallet, one of the Wilderness Road’s absolute highlights. It’s among Sweden’s tallest waterfalls, plunging into the country’s longest canyon. On sunny days, rainbows often appear in the mist – a truly magical sight. A 5 km hiking trail follows the river if you fancy stretching your legs.

Just a few kilometres past the turnoff is Frostviken Keramik, a delightful pottery shop and summer café in Häggnäset. The owner recently finished a lovely upstairs guest room with a wood-burning stove, available for 700 SEK a night. It’s an ideal first-night stop.

Day 2 – Stora Blåsjön and Ankarede – waterfalls and Sámi Heritage

After Gäddede, the landscape becomes more dramatic. Snow-dusted peaks and icy-blue lakes welcome you to the heart of the Wilderness Road.

First, stop at Brakkåfallet, another beautiful waterfall – and a perfect swimming spot on warmer days.

You’ll pass by Stora Blåsjön, Sweden’s fourth-deepest lake, nestled between rugged mountains. In summer, you can hike scenic trails, paddle across crystal-clear waters, or fish in unspoilt lakes. In winter, the area transforms into a snowy paradise, perfect for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and downhill runs at the nearby Blåsjön ski slope.

There are plenty of overnight options in this area, including cosy cabins and traditional stugby (Swedish holiday villages). We recommend Camp Stora Blåsjön, where you can rent apartments, cabins, or camping pitches – all with unbeatable mountain views.

Be sure to include Ankarede in your itinerary – a historic Sámi gathering place featuring goahtis, the traditional wooden Sámi huts. It’s the only still-active kyrkstad (Sámi church town) in Jämtland and is home to a picturesque chapel dating back to 1895. The Wilderness Road is a great opportunity to learn more about Sámi history and spot the Sámi place names used for villages along the way. Several hiking trails start in Ankarede, including a 4 km route to Lejarfallet waterfall.

The next stop on your journey is one of Sweden’s most remarkable natural sites: Korallgrottan, or the Coral Cave. Stretching over six kilometres, it’s the country’s longest cave system, with twisting marble passages, vast chambers, and even a small waterfall near the entrance. The cave lies hidden deep in the wilderness and can only be explored on guided tours during the summer season.

Our last recommended stop before the Stekenjokk Plateau is the Bjurälven Nature Reserve. It’s a unique landscape with crater-like pits formed by a geological phenomenon called karst, and an invisible river flowing partly underground through what’s known as the ‘Blind Valley’. Finally, if you’re up for one more waterfall, a couple of kilometres after the turn-off to Bjurälven you’ll find another impressive one: Gaustafallet.

Day 3 – Stekenjokk plateau – reindeer plains and snowy mountain peaks

There’s no doubt that the famous Sámi mountain plateau is the most impressive part of the Wilderness Road. Leaving the waterfalls behind, you’ll slowly rise above the tree line. Drive along the icy-blue river and pause at one of the many rest stops to take in the spectacular views of the 1000-metre peaks.

Here, you’ll reach the highest point of your journey – and the highest paved point in all of Sweden. Look out for the ‘876 m.o.h.’ sign for a classic photo opportunity.

The place where reindeer stay

For thousands of years, the Sámi have herded and tended their reindeer on these lands. The Sámi are the Indigenous people of Sápmi – previously known as Lapland – a region spanning parts of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia’s Kola Peninsula.

Stekenjokk literally means ‘the place where reindeer stay’ (Stihken) in Sámi. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot some of these magical creatures. If you do, keep a respectful distance – and keep your dog on a lead!

The Wilderness Road was originally built in the 1960s due to mining interest. Back then, it was known as the Stekenjokk Road. The Stekenjokk copper mine eventually closed in 1989, giving the landscape a chance to rewild. Since then, it has become part of a larger protected nature reserve. The area holds great ecological value, with vital nesting grounds for birds, traditional reindeer herding routes, and fragile Arctic flora.

Exploring Stekenjokk

There’s a designated bird protection zone where both sides of the road are off-limits between 10 June and 10 July. During this period, visitors are only allowed to stop in marked parking areas and picnic spots – so keep an eye on the signs! There are a few car parks where you’re permitted to hike along the edge of the protected zone. Maps and info boards are available on site.

If you’re travelling by campervan, the main parking area near the old Stekenjokk Mine is a fantastic place to spend the night. You won’t be alone, but the views more than make up for it!

Prefer to sleep indoors? Continue to Hotel Klimpfjäll, which offers a cosy summer café and restaurant focused on local, sustainable ingredients. In winter, it transforms into a ski centre – and there’s a spa to help you unwind after a day in the mountains.

Day 4 – Fatmomakke to Vilhelmina – culture and rapids

Still in awe of the Stekenjokk Plateau, it’s time to descend into Swedish Lapland and dive back into Sámi history. After passing the village of Klimpfjäll, take a left to Fatmomakke. It’s a unique Sámi church town where traditional Sámi huts stand beside wooden cabins built by Christian settlers. These temporary dwellings were used during religious gatherings, part of a state-led effort in the 18th and 19th centuries to integrate the Sámi into Christian society.

For those interested in art, we recommend a stop at Ricklundgården, beautifully located on a hill in Saxnäs. It’s a museum and art residence, housed in the well-preserved home of Emma Ricklund. Artists from around the world work here year-round in two studios, surrounded by breath-taking views over Lake Kultsjön and the Marsfjäll massif.

Your next stop is what has been called Sweden’s most impressive waterfall: Trappstegsforsen. It’s a scenic, several-hundred-metre rapid with step-like rocks and rushing water, home to a healthy population of char and trout. Want to linger a bit longer? Grab a flatbread from the grill hut by the waterfall – they serve local specialities, including reindeer meat.

Vilhelmina – the final stop

After this, you’ll soon reach the endpoint of the Wilderness Road in Vilhelmina. But it’s much more than a final stop – it’s a vibrant destination where culture meets wilderness. You can visit another historic church town, explore Sámi culture at the local open-air museum, and visit Risfjell’s Sámi Crafts for artisan Sámi designs. It’s also a great place to try local specialities like smoked fish, reindeer meat, and cloudberry jam. Outdoor fans will find many more hiking and cycling trails in the area.

But there are many points along the route where you can go off the beaten path. If time allows, take a couple of extra days to explore less-crowded places. If you’re looking to go beyond the obvious trail, you’ve come to the right place.

Off the beaten track – extra stops

There are so many gorgeous spots along the Wilderness Road – it would be a shame to spend most of your trip in the car. Below, we’ll suggest some less obvious places to go hiking, swimming, biking – or even fishing or canoeing.

If you’re into Stone Age rock paintings, take a quick detour to Fångsjön, 10 km east of Strömsund. Here, you’ll find drawings of moose and men on the cliffs. They were created by hunter-gatherers at least 3,800 years ago – possibly as old as 8,000 years.

Where you stopped to admire Trappstegsforsen, you can also turn off the main road and continue on to the hidden mountain village of Marsliden. Here, you can follow in the footsteps of Swedish author Bernhard Nordh, who drew inspiration from Marsliden’s remote mountain setting for his novels about settler life in Lapland. Today, the village offers beautiful hiking trails through the landscapes he once described.

While in Marsliden, be sure to stop at Kanon’s Minilivs och Café – a café and quirky little museum run by a friendly local who’s filled the space with vintage curiosities. If you bring along an old item, he’ll gladly add it to his collection. Enjoy coffee and a waffle in a delightfully authentic setting.

Head back into the mountains to Borgafjäll

Almost finished the Wilderness loop and getting close to Vilhelmina, but not quite ready to stop? We know how you feel. Take a right after Lövnäs and head back into the mountains towards Borgafjäll.

It’s a true hiking paradise in summer, and the starting point of Lapplandsleden. This 190 km ‘Lappland Trail’ runs through southern Swedish Lapland, offering stunning views of mountains, forests, and lakes along a remote, unspoiled route. The long-distance trail ends in Hemavan – where the epic Kungsleden begins. In winter, Borgafjäll transforms into a snowmobile and ski touring nirvana.

A day hike we loved in the area was the 8 km (return) Klöverfjällsleden. After your hike, treat yourself at FjällBistron Johannas – they serve great food, with lots of vegan options.

Before you hit the road: some practical tips

Stocking up & smart stops

Although the Wilderness Road takes you through some pretty remote areas in Sweden, you don’t need to worry about fuelling up or finding groceries. Before crossing the Stekenjokk Plateau, Gäddede is a great place to stock up – but you’ll have another chance in Klimpfjäll. If you’re heading off the main road into the mountains, Borgafjäll not only offers stunning views, but also has a supermarket.

Cell reception isn’t great up there though, so it’s best to come prepared and do your research beforehand.

Why flexibility pays off

The views from the Stekenjokk Plateau are absolutely magnificent. But if it’s not your lucky day, you might see nothing but mist and rain.

When we checked the weather app and saw rain in the forecast, we rushed to Stekenjokk a little earlier than planned to enjoy it on a sunny day. We thanked our lucky stars that we did – because when we woke up in our camper the next morning, the mountains had disappeared and all that remained was a foggy lake.

All this to say: if you include some extra time in your itinerary, leaving room for flexibility, you’ll double your chances of catching blue skies and breath-taking hiking views.

Expect the unexpected: pack for every season

Even if you’re driving the Wilderness Road in the height of summer, chances are you’ll still experience all four seasons during your trip in Sweden. Especially high on the Stekenjokk Plateau, the days can be chilly and windy – so make sure to bring suitable clothing.
We recommend packing lots of layers. You’ll likely be stripping them off quickly during hikes, but once you reach your highest point, you’ll be glad to have them back on.

When to visit: best time to explore the Wilderness Road in Sweden

The Wilderness Road (Vildmarksvägen) in Sweden is generally open year-round. However, the stretch over the Stekenjokk Plateau – known for its majestic mountain scenery and deep snowbanks – is closed from mid-October to early June due to heavy snow accumulation. While you can drive much of the route in winter, the plateau section is inaccessible by car outside the summer months, so completing the full loop isn’t possible until it reopens around 6 June.

Summer is perfect for hiking, fishing, kayaking and chasing waterfalls – but don’t overlook winter. While the plateau itself is closed, the region transforms into a peaceful Arctic landscape, ideal for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, Northern Lights watching, and soaking in the quiet beauty of Lapland’s deep winter.

Have you driven the Wilderness Road in Sweden?

Are you planning a trip along the Wilderness Road – or have you already experienced this remote and stunning corner of Sweden? We’d love to hear about your favourite stops, hidden gems, or memorable moments from the road. Maybe you know a cosy café, a secret hiking trail, or a viewpoint we missed?

Feel free to share your thoughts or tips in the comments below – or let us know if this wild and wonderful route has now made it onto your travel list!