Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Cesar's Guide to the E1 Trails in Sweden: Sälen to Mörkret


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The E1 Trail connects Vasaloppsleden and Södra Kungsleden via the village of Sälen, and goes through a few nature reserves, most notably (and the largest) being the Fulufjället National Park.  This is the second to last stages of the Swedish E1 trails in the north, and its length can vary considerably depending on how one chooses to hike it.  There are several side/alternative trails and potential loops that can be hiked, though on a map following the most direct route the length is roughly 80km.  However the route my friends and I hiked ended up being around 110km according to an average of several smartphone pedometers we had with us.  Here is a link to a basic map and general information of this area (in English).

This stage presents some logistical challenges due to how isolated the area is, and will require plenty of planning ahead of time.  For the record the map we used was the Lantmäteriet Fjällkartan W2, Fulufjället-Sälen, November 2013 edition.  You will absolutely need a good and current/updated map of the area and of course a compass, and I would personally advise doing this and the next and last stage in the same trip if you have the time.  Unfortunately my friends and I did not have the time and exited the trail at one of the northern ends of Fulufjället near the hamlet of Mörkret after about 5 days of travel.  Another issue is food supplies, again due to isolation and general lack of civilization on or around the trail.  So make sure to have ample food supplies before setting off into this big patch of mountainous, wild nature.

Getting to Sälen is easier, with daily buses going into town.  Mörkret however is another story, with its closest bus stop around 24km away in the village of Särna.  There is a hostel/campground in Mörkret that offers a shuttle service for a small fee to and from Särna (we paid 150 SEK per car with 4 hikers stuffed inside).  You will need to ask for this shuttle service, as it is not advertised, and here is a link to the hostel's website (in English).

Going southbound the E1 trail continues on Vasaloppsleden, and you can read my report on that trail here.  

Going northbound the E1 trail continues on Södra Kungsleden, and you can read my report from Mörkret to Flödningen here.

Please note that there is a roughly 20km transitional distance between Vasaloppsleden and the beginning/southern entry point of Södra Kungsleden, however you can take a bus from Sälen to the trailhead at Sälen Högfjällshotell.

If you have not read the introduction to this trail guide yet, you can do so here, and there is also a list of links to other completed reports of the Swedish E1 trails.  Please keep in mind this is still a work in progress. 

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Having hiked all but the final stage of the entire Swedish E1 trails, let me start by saying that this is what I would consider to be the crown jewel of the entire trail system.  Granted we got lucky with good weather (mostly sunny, with very little rain--this is rare in the fjälls!), and I had amazing company, but that being said this was easily what I would consider the highlight of not just the E1 trails, but one of the single best hiking trails I've ever done, period.  I took over 350 pictures and was absolutely enamored with this trail, though I will add that this trail is not for everyone.