This is Jonas, a seasoned adventurer from Dalarna with years of hiking and trekking behind him, both on shorter and longer expeditions. In the beginning on last summer we got in contact with Jonas and he told us about his summer adventure plans. He was planning to hike the Gröna Bandet (the Green Ribbon trail) over a period of seven weeks and we got to join him on his back as he wanted to use our ultra lightweight backpack. We where extremely happy that he wanted to use our pack and we got to follow his journey as he wandered through the summer months.
Growing up, his parents often took him along for berry-picking in the forests and occasional day hikes in the mountains. But back then, he wasn’t exactly hooked on the outdoors. It wasn’t until he was older that he rediscovered the joy of hiking—and now, he’s all in.
With a desk-bound job in the travel industry, staying active is as must for Jonas. At home, he enjoys running, cycling, cross-country skiing, and skating. But doing these activities in the breathtaking landscapes of the Swedish mountains brings a unique sense of peace. It satisfies a deep longing for open spaces and the calming stillness of the highlands.
What does the outdoors mean to you I ask him. Jonas smiles, acknowledging he could rattle off the usual reasons: escaping daily stress, stepping away from screens, and disconnecting from constant busyness. But for him, it’s really about his love for the Swedish mountains—or, more broadly, all the Nordic ranges. That’s where he spends most of his outdoor time, whether hiking in summer and fall or skiing—cross-country and ski touring—in winter. It’s a way to reconnect with nature and feel grounded.
Over the years, Jonas has faced his fair share of challenges on the trail, from injuries to the mental weight of solitude on longer treks. But he believes those experiences prepared him, as he didn’t encounter any of that this last time around. While there were moments when the trail was tough, the journey was pure joy overall.
One of the highlights of long treks, Jonas says, is meeting new people along the way. For example, in the small Jämtland village of Olden, he was welcomed with a meal, some drinks, and fascinating stories about the area from Stig, who runs the local hostel, along with two older gentlemen working nearby on a house project.
Hiking the Gröna Bandet (the Green Ribbon trail) also creates a sense of community; this year, nearly 100 hikers started the journey. Meeting others on the same path, exchanging tips, and sharing experiences added another dimension to the trek. And while some might think walking every day could get monotonous, Jonas insists it’s anything but. Hiking is a slow, immersive activity that allows you to take in countless details. Even now, he remembers moments from every single day on the trail—something he couldn’t say about the same stretch of time at home.
I ask if he could recommend one stretch and Jonas doesn’t hesitate to recommend Lapplandsleden, a section most Gröna Bandet hikers pass through. As the newest addition to Sweden’s trail network, it offers a stunning mix of alpine landscapes, mountain forests, cozy cabins, and, best of all, fewer hikers. It’s a route that captures the magic of Sweden’s wilderness, inviting anyone—experienced or not—to discover something truly unforgettable in the north.