Having just returned from an epic hiking trip in Western Sweden, I have discovered that three things are intrinsically part of the Swedish psyche, which also reflect their love of the outdoor lifestyle. The first is Allemansrätten, a wonderful law that grants Swedish citizens the right of passage to roam freely across the entire country. This means you can hike, climb, sail, swim, forage, and even pitch your tent for a day or two wherever you want.
The second is Fika which is an abbreviated combination of the Swedish words for coffee and cake and refers to a daily ritual that’s taken very seriously by the Swedes.
Just like the British tea break, everything stops for a heart-warming cup of coffee, usually accompanied by a cinnamon bun or pastry, at least once, if not twice, a day. Nowhere is this ritual observed more than while outdoors, whether up a mountain or holed up in a bird hide; everything stops for Fika.
Thirdly, of course, is Kånken, the ubiquitous and much-loved backpack that Fjällräven first launched in collaboration with the Swedish Guide and Scout Association in 1978, which has been a part of Swedish life ever since. Though favoured by university students and Stockholm commuters for its handy, laptop-friendly size, the Kånken is equally as popular with Swedes outside of the city, enjoying their freedom to roam and coffee break opportunities in the great outdoors. Over the past three days, I witnessed a variety of Kånkens in a vast range of colours, equal to those of the beautiful flora and fauna of the stunning Swedish wilderness.
Our guest blogger, Neil Summers, discovers what makes the Swedes tick.
