Overview
On this self-guided walking holiday, you will explore some of the best parts of the beautiful islands and villages on Sweden’s west coast. The region called Bohuslän comprises a unique archipelago with hundreds of islands, picturesque fishermen villages, granite rock beaches, and small sandy beaches. Your adventure starts in historical Marstrand, which nowadays is a popular summer retreat. In this area, you will have a few days walking on different islands before you continue north to Ramsvik Nature Reserve, Bohus Malmön, and the lively fishing port of Smögen. The tour will end up in Gothenburg, the second-largest city in Sweden, where you can spend a free day in order to explore in full this charming place.
- The island of Marstrand and Carlstens Fortress
- Fresh and delicious seafood
- Charming coastal villages
- The city of Gothenburg
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Gothenburg
Your tour starts in Gothenburg. Accommodation in your hotel and take your time to explore the landmarks of the city.
- Accommodation: Comfort Hotel Göteborg (Gothenburg) or similar
Day 2: Marstrand & Koön Islands | 12km
In the morning, take the local bus (~1 hour) to charming Marstrand, which is spread over the two islands, Marstrand and Koön. Your accommodation is located by the sea on Koön. Today you can choose to walk either on Marstrand or on both islands. Take the ferry (2min ferry) just outside your hotel to Marstrand. The beautiful coastal trail around the island is 5km, so you also have time to visit the village and Carlstens Fortress. Then take the ferry back to Koön and enjoy a nice trail over granite rocks, stairs, and wooden footbridges.
- Walking for the day: Marstrand: 1.5h, 5km ↑75m ↓75m; Koön: 2h, 8km ↑150m ↓150m
- Accommodation: Marstrands Havshotell (Marstrand) or similar
Day 3: Dyrön Island | 5km
Take the bus or a taxi (5min) to the ferry port. A 30min scenic ferry ride will take you to Dyrön south harbour. The hike around the picturesque island of Dyrön offers stunning panorama views, small beaches, mouflon sheep, and much more! The locals, known as “the blue men”, built the path, and it will take you over rocks, stairs, and through a small forest. Return to Marstrand by ferry. Enjoy the spa facilities at your hotel, and do not miss the chance to pre-book the sauna with the sea view.
- Walking for the day: 2h, 5km ↑135m ↓135m
- Accommodation: Marstrands Havshotell (Marstrand) or similar
Day 4: Ramsvik Island Nature Reserve | 16km
After breakfast, you will have a transfer (1h 40min) to the fantastic rugged Nature Reserve on the peninsula of Ramsvik . Here you will enjoy rich birdlife, diverse flora, and amazing panoramic views. After the hike, you will take the local bus (20min) to the lively village of Smögen with its famous “Smögenbryggan”, which is a 600-metres long boardwalk with restaurants, cafés, shops, and boats.
- Walking for the day: 4h, 16km ↑200m ↓200m
- Accommodation: Smögens Hafvsbad (Smögen) or similar
Day 5: Smögen | 12-14km
Today you can spend a relaxing day in Smögen, stroll in the village and the nearby cliff trails, or choose between two different walks.
Option 1: Bohus Malmön Island: Take the local bus + a short ferry ride (50min) to Bohus Malmön Island, famous for its Bohus Granite and the stonemasons who used to work here. Head out for a walk around this fantastic island. If the weather permits, you can swim in the sea.
Walking: 2.5-3h, 12km ↑180m ↓180m
Option 2: Kungshamn to Tullboden: Take the local bus (5min) or walk 4km to Kungshamn, where the trail starts. You will explore both inland forest and coastal scenery with charming small villages. From Tullboden, take the local bus back to Smögen (40min).
Walking: 2.5-3h, 12km ↑180m ↓180m
- Accommodation: Smögens Hafvsbad (Smögen) or similar
Day 6: Gothenburg | 9km
After breakfast, take the bus from Smögen to Gothenburg (2.5h). Check in at your centrally located hotel and then hop on the tram to Botaniska Trädgården (Botanical garden), 15min from the city centre. Stroll the nice gardens, and maybe enjoy lunch or coffee at the café- restaurant before you continue your walk along the forest trails of Änggårdsbergen Nature Reserve. Overnight in Gothenburg.
- Walking for the day: 3h, 9km ↑150m ↓150m
- Accommodation: Comfort Hotel Göteborg (Gothenburg) or similar
Day 7: Brännö & Galterö Islands | 8km
Today you can have a free day to explore all that Gothenburg city has to offer. You can get around on foot, with the local buses and trams or rent a bicycle. You can visit the southern Gothenburg Archipelago’s beautiful islands if you want more walking and islands. Take the tram (20 min) + ferry (20 min) and have a fantastic walk on Brännö and Galtarö Islands.
- Walking for the day: 2h, 8km
- Accommodation: Comfort Hotel Göteborg (Gothenburg) or similar
Day 8: Departure
The tour ends after breakfast. Departure or you can prolong your stay to explore more of West Sweden.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in nice 3-star and 4-star hotels, in private en-suite rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Comfort Hotel Göteborg (Gothenburg)
- Marstrands Havshotell (Marstrand)
- Smögens Hafvsbad (Smögen)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a bed & breakfast basis. Lunches are available along the way. You can have dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
This is an easy tour as the walks are short. However, you will walk on trails on granite rocks where some parts can be tricky (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the end of April until the very first days of October, with departures from Thursdays to Sundays. Daytime summer temperatures normally range from 15°C to 25°C. The air is relatively humid, making warm days feel warmer and cold days colder. The best time to visit is June-August, with the warmest month being July, with an average maximum temperature of 20°C.
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Stockholm.
By train or bus
- Gothenburg airport: Landvetter airport is about 20 km southeast of downtown and is served by domestic and international flights. There are regular buses from the airport to the central railway station.
- Copenhagen airport: There are regular trains from this airport to Gothenburg with one change on the way. Journey time is about 4.5 – 5 hours. The timetable can be checked on the DSB website.
- Stockholm airport: There are regular trains between Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights with breakfast as detailed in the itinerary
- 1 picnic lunch
- People and luggage transfer Marstrand – Smögen on day 4
- 1 x entrance to wellness/ SPA at Marstrands Havshotell
- Free entrance to wellness/ SPA at Smögens Hafvsbad
- Entrance to Carlstens fortress in Marstrand
- Detailed route notes and maps (1 x per room) & GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Local transport and ferries
- Luggage transfers Gothenburg – Marstrand and Smögen – Gothenburg (you have to take your luggage with you on the bus)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- Single room supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Gothenburg
- If you arrive with a car, there will be a discount for not using the transfer on day 4
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