<i>SWEDEN</i><i>Höga Kusten</i>
<i>SWEDEN</i><i>Höga Kusten</i>
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SWEDENHöga Kusten

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Tour

10.–18.07.2025

HÖGA KUSTEN

This tour replaces our programme "Skagerrak: Tjörn & Orust" on the Swedish west coast, originally planned for 2025. But it is far more than just a "replacement": The Höga Kusten in northeastern Sweden is an outdoor paradise in perfection and known all over the world. And not just because of the famous coastal hiking trail "Höga Kustenleden", which leads 140 km through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the densely forested "High Coast". The offshore island world is also a fantastic sea kayaking area, although it is much less frequented than the – at least by Swedish standards – almost "overcrowded" archipelagos of Stockholm or St. Anna, Gryt and Västervik further south. In the wild, Nordic nature of the fjords and islands of the Höga Kusten, quite in contrast, you often almost have the feeling of being in Canada or the Southeast-Alaskan Panhandle.

On our tour, for which we have a total of 9 days, we explore the entire Höga Kusten between Örnsköldsvik and Hornöberget. Whether we do this from north to south or vice versa is something we will decide on site, depending on the general weather situation and the currently prevailing winds. Since we meet at the beginning of the trip at the farm and base of our friend and partner Matt from Sweden Outdoors Coaching, from where we will bring the kayaks to the starting point, it makes no difference.

The highlights of this tour are: deep, green fjords, more than 20 hours of sunlight, a fantastically beautiful, wild and varied coastal landscape, sea and forest, the archipelago and the islands of Ulvön and Trysunda, cliffs, Baltic seals, camping in the great outdoors and an XXL portion of adventure.

Because we want to remain flexible, we don't want to determine the exact total length of our trip in advance. But it will probably be around 120-140 km. Not an excessive amount for nine days - after all, we want to enjoy our time in nature and not set any records.

This tour is suitable for people with less experience or those who don't like paddling in big conditions, without being boring for the more experienced paddlers. The outdoor element, or friluftsliv as it is called in Swedish, connects us all on this adventure, which focuses on the freedom and enjoyment of the Nordic summer: nine days out in nature, paddling, camping, cooking outside, sleeping, swimming, enjoying. Simple, but absolutely good life.

DETAILS

Programme Day 1
Day 1
We take it easy on the first day. We take our boats from the base to the water and pack. We take our time with this because we want everything to be right. On the one hand, we want to have everything we need with us, know where what is stored in which kayak, but on the other hand, we also want to make sure that we don't have too much with us.

Once our boats are packed, we head out. That's it.
Programme Days 2–5
Apart from paddling and camping in the open air, there is no specific program for the next few days. Depending on the weather forecast, we will strategically choose our route. We can choose between a more exposed route, along the outside of the islands, or a more sheltered route, which is more oriented towards the fjords and the coast of the mainland.
Programme Day 9
Day 9
On the last day, we and the boats will be picked up at the end of the route by our partner Matt. The program ends no later than Friday, July 18th at 16:00, with the return of the boats and equipment.
More Info
Participant Numbers: Minimum 3, Maximum 6
Languages: German and English

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

This is what you may hope for

Weather
It's just after Midsummer in Sweden - the best time of the year here. Sure, it can always rain in Sweden. But the twenty hours of daylight make up for that. We are optimistic and hope for a wonderful Nordic summer, with pleasantly warm temperatures and plenty of opportunities for swimming – preferably until midnight.

wind
Wind from all directions is possible. However, if the forecast is too severe, we can easily choose more sheltered routes.

waves
Of course, there can be larger waves on the Baltic Sea when the wind is strong. However, we don't expect this to be a major issue as we have a choice of different routes for most of the trip.

ACTIVITIES

This is what you may expect

Click on the pictures to learn more about the activities.

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Touring

Touring is the most classic form of sea kayaking. There are millions of different possible sea kayak tours and each one is different. And yet, in essence, it's always about the same thing: a journey by kayak. No matter whether your tour lasts a day, a week or six months - the goal and purpose is to paddle from A to B. The focus is on moving forward, discovering and enjoying nature.

We love touring. The freedom, the adventure, the wind and the waves, the endless sea and the salt crust on your skin. From one beach to the next, past islands, capes and harbours, from one camp to the next. One paddle stroke after another.
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Camping

The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of sea kayaking is adventure and camping in nature. It is certainly one of the most beautiful moments of our hobby when we lie in the bivouac bag and look at the starry sky after a long, fulfilling day on the water and a simple but good dinner. Meritocracy, open-plan offices and consumption madness feel like light years away. You have everything you need and you are content and happy.

Unfortunately, in our increasingly crowded world, this is no longer possible everywhere. But where it is accepted and doesn't bother anyone, we also sleep in the great outdoors on our camping tours, with a tent or bivouac bag. Iron rules apply: We are only guests. Tents are only put up when it gets dark (if at all) and packed up again first thing in the morning. We don't make any noise or fire and of course we don't leave any rubbish or traces behind. We pack up whatever plastic, etc. we find lying around, regardless of whether it is ours or not. We don't leave a bivouac site as we found it, but cleaner.

And of course: If it is possible, or if bivouacing is strictly forbidden, we are not above spending the night on campsites. A warm shower and a toilet also have their appeal!
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Immersing Yourself in Nature

Every day on the water means immersing yourself in nature. Your sea kayak is not just a piece sports equipment. It is also a means of transport that unites you with nature. We are talking about the (re)discovery and appreciation of the "small" things: watching birds, jellyfish or starfish, experiencing the tides or discovering entire microcosms in rock niches and caves. Being amazed and recharging your batteries, noticing how beautiful the world is.
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What is this?
What is this?

Our Skill-o-meter is intended to give you a quick, rough guide to the approximate level of experience and paddling skills we require to take part in this programme.

It says NOTHING about what conditions we will encounter on site.

To find out exactly what skills we expect from you to take part in this programme, please be sure to read the specifications below ("What we expect from you").

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SKILLS

This is what we expect from you

You can swim

Basics: Dealing with your spraydeck, get in and out of your kayak, wet-exit

You are comfortable paddling on lakes

You can effect a simple partner rescue in deep water

Daily distances of roughly 20–25 km are okay for you

SAFETY PARAMETERS

This is what you can rely on

The sea does what it does. With our safety parameters we determine the maximum environmental conditions up to which we will go on the water* during this programme:
Wind
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in sheltered waters
  • Up to 15 knots (wind force 4) on the outer coastlines or archipelagos.
Waves
  • Waves of about 0.5m
The sea weather report or swell forecast serves as the basis for assessment. In the case of short, steep wind waves, cross seas, etc., the situation is assessed individually.
If it is not possible to find these (or easier) conditions in our paddling area, we will stay on land. Other safety parameters (extreme gusts, rapidly falling air pressure, thunderstorms, etc.) also apply.

* For more information on this topic, see our FAQs

EVERYTHING ELSE

This is what you need to organise by yourself

For all of our programs, arrival and departure as well as all transport and on-site accommodation are the responsibility of the participants. This means that you have to take care of these things yourself. Below you will find all the information you need:
Meeting point & arrival
GETTING THERE

Meeting point:
We meet at our partner's farm in Indal, not far from Sundsvall. We will give the participants the address in advance.

Time:
For a quieter and more relaxed start to the tour, we recommend arriving the day before (Wednesday, July 9th). When exactly is up to you. Please prepare to be self-sufficient on the day of arrival and note that your Salty Cosmos team is also busy preparing and will not be available before the beginning of the programme.

The programme starts on Thursday morning (July 10th) at 10:00 a.m.

Getting there:
Train and public transport: THAT IS ACTUALLY POSSIBLE! But you need to bring some time with you... Via Hamburg or Berlin and Rostock and then by train to Stockholm. From there on to Sundsvall and then by bus to Indal.

Airplane: You can fly to Sundsvall (Midlanda) with a change and from there continue by taxi, bus or rental car.

Car: If you are considering this option, you are probably in Sweden for a longer trip anyway.

When making travel arrangements, please don't forget to ask the other participants whether they are looking for or offering a ride.
Accommodation
This is a camping trip, during which we will stay in a different location every night. Reservations are usually not required for camping on the trip.

You have to cover your own accommodation costs. This is not a package tour.
On this tour we will spend most of the night in the great outdoors, which is regulated by law in Sweden. Of course we stick to it.
Rations
In all Salty Cosmos programmes, food and drinks are generally the responsibility of the participants. Please consider whether you would like to cook for yourself or eat in a privately organised communal group kitchen.
Insurance
Accident insurance, travel health insurance, rescue and recovery insurance
In all Salty Cosmos programs, accident insurance, travel health insurance and rescue and recovery insurance are the responsibility of the participants. Please take care of these things early.

Cancellation cost insurance
Please take out cancellation insurance when you complete your booking. If you were to become sick ahead of the programme, it would be a pity if you were not only missing out, but also losing money.

More questions? See our FAQs

This is what Gitta Gaviota says

Oh, if only the whole world were like Sweden! There is still enough space for adventure here: two seas full of islands that invite you to spend the night on. Pure freedom. What more do you need? For my part, I am perfectly happy in this country.

Speaking of which... Frédéric would probably particularly praise and celebrate the custom of "fika": unrestrained consumption of filter coffee and sweet pastries – in his case until the vet comes. I, on the other hand, don't care for coffee and prefer to get my food in free flight. But of course I have no objection to a delicious crab salad, cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns…

Normal price
1750 CHF*

Price including use of our gear

This price includes a kayak, paddle and all the gear you need for participating. You need to order this gear separately after booking, ahead the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

Reduced Price
1600 CHF*

Price with your own material

Price if you participate with your own equipment. You are responsible for bringing your kayak and equipment and, if necessary, transporting them during the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

*Net price plus Swedish VAT (25 %)

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