High Coast, Åre & Dalarna Northern Loop
Drive along the Baltic Sea to the High Coast, head west into the Åre mountains, and return to the capital via Dalarna
A summer self-drive loop in northern Sweden, combining a World Heritage coast, mountain towns, and lake district folklore. Spend five nights on the High Coast, allowing plenty of time for hiking and visiting the lighthouse island. Allocate two full days in Åre, and return through the inland to Dalarna. The driving distances on the first and ninth days are long, while the other days are relaxed. Perfect for repeat visitors who love nature and road trips, bypassing the area inside the Arctic Circle.
Lighthouse island ferries and mountain cable cars mostly operate from mid-June to August; check the schedule for the current year.
Day by day
Day 1 · Uppsala & North to the High Coast Bridge
Stockholm（Uppsala Cathedral & Old Town） → High Coast（High Coast Bridge）
Drive along the E4 to Uppsala (approx. 1 hour), then to the High Coast Bridge (approx. 4.5 hours). Total distance is about 450 km.
The drive is long, so start early. You can spend about 1 hour visiting Uppsala Cathedral.
Stay: High Coast Bridge and Hörnöberget
Day 2 · Coastal Byways to Bönhamn
High Coast（Mannaminne、Norrfällsviken、Rotsidan、Barsta）
Leave the E4 and take the scenic coastal road, with 20–30 minutes between stops (approx. 1.5 hours total driving time).
Small villages have few shops; stock up on supplies in larger towns along the way.
Stay: Bönhamn
Day 3 · Visit the Högbonden Lighthouse Island
Take a small boat from Bönhamn to the island (approx. 20 minutes). Ferries run in summer; otherwise, explore the village on foot.
Boat services are weather-dependent; a hike along the coast is a good alternative.
Stay: Bönhamn
Day 4 · Skuleberget & the Naturum
High Coast（Skuleberget、Naturum Höga Kusten）
Drive from Bönhamn to Skuleberget (approx. 40 minutes). Take the cable car or hike up the mountain, then visit the Naturum visitor center.
The hiking trail to the summit has steep sections; the cable car is less physically demanding.
Stay: Skuleberget and Docksta
Day 5 · Skuleskogen National Park Crevice Valley
High Coast（Skuleskogen National Park、Slåttdalsskrevan）
Drive from Docksta to the park entrance (approx. 15 minutes). The round-trip hike to the Slåttdalskrevan crevice valley takes about 3–4 hours.
The valley is rocky; wear hiking boots as it can be slippery when wet.
Stay: Skuleberget and Docksta
Day 6 · Across the Inland to Åre
High Coast → Åre（Ristafallet、Åre Torg）
Drive west via Östersund to Ristafallet Waterfall (approx. 4.5 hours), then to Åre (approx. 30 minutes). Total distance is about 400 km.
Gas stations are far apart on inland routes; refuel in advance.
Stay: Åre Village Centre
Day 7 · Cable Car up Mount Åreskutan
Åre（Kabinbanan Åre、Åreskutan & Åre Ski Resort、Åre Old Church）
Walk from the town center to the cable car station. Hike down after reaching the top. No driving required today.
The weather on the mountain is highly unpredictable; bring a windproof and waterproof jacket.
Stay: Åre Village Centre
Day 8 · Tännforsen & the Western Mountains
Drive west from Åre to Tännforsen Waterfall (approx. 30 minutes), then to Handölsklipan (approx. 30 minutes). Return in the afternoon.
The waterfalls have the highest water volume in early summer. Wooden boardwalks can be slippery when wet.
Stay: Åre Village Centre
Day 9 · South via the Predator Park to Mora
Åre → Östersund → Dalarna & Lake Siljan（Orsa Predator Park）
Take the E14 back to Östersund (approx. 1.5 hours), then head south on the E45 to Orsa (approx. 3.5 hours), and continue to Mora (approx. 20 minutes).
The total distance is about 400 km. Watch out for moose and reindeer in the evening.
Stay: Mora
Day 10 · Zorn House & Lake Loop to Tällberg
Dalarna & Lake Siljan（Zorn Museum & Zorngården、Nusnäs Dala Horse Workshops、Rättvik Långbryggan）
Explore the museum in Mora on foot, drive to Nusnäs (approx. 15 minutes), then continue to Rättvik and Tällberg (approx. 1 hour).
Guided tours at Zorngården are limited; visit in the morning.
Stay: Tallberg
Day 11 · Falun Copper Mine & Return to the Capital
Dalarna & Lake Siljan（Falun Mine (Great Copper Mountain)） → Stockholm
Drive from Tällberg to Falun (approx. 50 minutes). After visiting the mining area, drive back to Stockholm (approx. 2.5–3 hours).