The Wilderness road, Vildmarksvägen, in Sweden is a 500 km roundtrip which takes you over the highest asphalt road in Sweden. It has a lot of highlights to offer, and I will share our adventure.
Vildmarksvägen must know
- Strömsund to Vilhelmina
- Gubbhögens nature camping
- Hällingsåfallet, most scenic waterfall on the Vildmarksvägen
- Brakkåfallet
- Gaustafallet
- Stekenjokkplateau, Vildmarksvägen (Wilderness road) the highest point
- Fatmomakke, Sami village on the Vildmarksvägen (Wilderness road)
- Trappstegsforsen
- Stalonberget viewpoint of Wilderness road
- Locations of the Vildmarksvägen highlights
Strömsund to Vilhelmina
The Vildmarksvägen (Wilderness road) is a 500 km round trip that takes you from Strömsund to Vilhelmina through the Stekenjokkplateau and back by passing Dorotea. You can decide which way you take this route and if you want to complete the entire round trip. We started at Strömsund and took the road through the Stekenjokkplateau towards Vilhelmina. Part of this road is only open during summer, from early June until October. If you start from Strömsund, make sure to pick up a route map at this place to find out all the places on the route. You can also find the map online here. The flyers are on the side of the toilet building, where you can also empty the chemical toilet. There are no free places to empty your chemical toilet on the Vildmarksvägen itself. Continue reading to find out the highlights of this road.
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Gubbhögens nature camping
This camping spot is based on donations and next to a beautiful lake. It is a perfect location to start the Vildmarksvägen and relax for a day or two. It has everything except electricity. They have dry toilets and drinking water available. There are also cabins available if you are traveling by car. It also has fire wood available to have a wonderful night at the lake. Make sure to leave a donation when you leave the place to support this beautiful location.
Hällingsåfallet, most scenic waterfall on the Vildmarksvägen
The Hällingsåfallet is the best waterfall on the route in my opinion. To visit this place, you will have to leave to Vildmarksvägen and drive 30 km on a gravel road. It is definitely worth the detour, and you will be able to drive further on this road and end up on the Vildmarksvägen again. It is allowed to sleep on the parking lot and there is a dry toilet available to use.
The waterfall is only a short hike on an easy path. You are able to walk over the waterfall, over the bridge. There is also a path to the left which gives you beautiful views of the area and a frontal view of the waterfall. This waterfall is amazing on cloudy days, but if it is possible, make sure to visit it when the sun is out. You will get beautiful rainbows from the water droplets of the waterfall and the light of the sun. It will create a magical moment to this already amazing waterfall.
Brakkåfallet
This waterfall has two parts you can explore. The lower part is a short hike, and the upper part will take longer to reach on a harder path. The hike to the higher part of the waterfall can be slippery when it has rained. It is a beautiful nature hike towards the viewpoint of the upper waterfall. The hike towards the lower waterfall only takes 15 minutes, and towards the upper waterfall it takes approximately 30 minutes. Both waterfalls are completely different and amazing to see. You can park your camper at the entrance of the hike, just on the other side of the bridge. After parking your car or camper, make sure to cross the bridge and then turn right towards the hiking track.
Gaustafallet
This waterfall is only a short walk for the road. Make sure you do not pass the parking bay of the waterfall, it is a small area on the side of the road where approximately three campers will fit. The waterfall is amazing and has a lot of force that you will hear when nearing the waterfall. It is only a 5 minutes walk to the waterfall from the parking. It can be slippery and muddy when it has rained.
Stekenjokkplateau, Vildmarksvägen (Wilderness road) the highest point
This is the most popular area of the Wilderness road. It is the point of the highest asphalt road in Sweden. The nature changes from forest to more open areas, and you can find reindeer in the fields. This part of the road is only open during summer, begin June until October. It is also good to know that this area also has a protected area that is closed from 10 June until 10 July. This protected area is marked with red and yellow signs. You are allowed to use the official parking spots, but you are not allowed to walk behind the signs. Be aware of the signs and respect the nature. There is a large parking area available where you can park your car or camper and possible stay for the night.
Fatmomakke, Sami village on the Vildmarksvägen (Wilderness road)
This small village is a detour from the Vildmarksvägen. It is an old Sami Village where you will find the history of Sweden. There are still Sami tents, officially called Lavvu, visible and the old wooden church. It is a nice place to go to see more culture on the Wilderness road.
Trappstegsforsen
The trappstegsforsen is a good stop during the drive on the wilderness road. You can park your car or camper here at a small café next to the waterfall. There is a toilet available, and you can have some food or a drink at the restaurant. The views over the river are great and easily visible from the car park.
Stalonberget viewpoint of Wilderness road
This viewpoint will give you astonishing views over the mountains and lake. It is harder to reach, since you will have to drive a 2 km road up the mountain that is only a single lane. There are almost no passing areas on the side, but it is also not the busiest road. You are also able to park underneath, but it is a climb up the hill over the road to get to the viewpoint. When you are going up with your camper, you are able to sleep on the top of the hill.
Want to visit another beautiful area? Check out this Höga Kusten route!
Locations of the Vildmarksvägen highlights
To summarize, all locations I mentioned of the Vildmarksvägen (Wilderness road) can be found in the map underneath. There are lots of more locations to explore along the route, which you can find in the brochure about the Vildmarksvägen. A total of 48 locations are mentioned there, you can also find the map here. Enjoy your adventure on the Vildmarksvägen, Wilderness Road, in Sweden.
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