Soft Adventure
Nordic Wilderness
Sweden’s stunning High Coast is perfect for travellers looking for outdoor adventures.
By Mark Sissons
HÖGA KUSTEN, SWEDEN
Once you climb halfway up the nearly 300-metre-high east face of the granite wall at Skuleberget, the first thing that appears is the Gulf of Bothnia, shimmering in the distance. Rising above it is one of the world’s most unique coastlines. Called Höga Kusten (The High Coast) because it reaches a world record of nearly 285 metres above sea level, this UNESCO World Heritage site of low mountains, dense forests, sheltered bays, and tranquil islands offers one of Scandinavia’s most spectacular, yet accessible, wilderness experiences. EXPLORING THE HIGH COAST For centuries, unrelenting forces of nature have shaped this dramatic landscape into one of the most remarkable topographies on the planet. Formed from a post-glacial rebound following the retreat of the great ice sheets that once covered northern Europe, Höga Kusten’s breathtaking mixture of steep granite cliffs and rock make it ideal for adventurous hikers, island-hopping sea kayakers, and anyone who wants to escape into its labyrinth of evergreen oases. This naturally Nordic gem is just a one-hour flight or a five-hour drive from Stockholm.
42 • Vacations ® • Spring 2020
