RoadAtlas
Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden — Scenic
Europe

Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road

Sweden

In short: Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road is a 500 km scenic road trip in Sweden, typically driven over 2-3 days, best in June-September. Highlights: Strömsund, Döda Fallet, Hoting.

Distance
500 km
Duration
2-3 days
Best Season
June-September
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

Sweden’s Vildmarksvägen is a classic northern loop through Lapland, linking forests, lakes, and high-country fells between Strömsund, Gäddede, and Vilhelmina. The drive mixes salmon rivers, Sami landscapes, and wide-open mountain views, with easy access to hikes, waterfalls, and summer wildlife.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Services are sparse on the high plateau, so keep your fuel tank topped up and check opening hours for lodges, cafés, and ferries before leaving. Snow and road closures can linger into early summer at higher elevations.
Explore on the interactive map →

Plan this trip

Self-guided audio toursExplore local stories near city stops Hotels for this tripCompare stays before you go Flights for this tripCompare flight options before you go Car rental for this tripCompare rental options before you drive

Third-party planning links may be affiliate links. RoadAtlas stays independent, and you should verify details with the provider.

Stops along the route

Strömsund — Departure — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Departure
Strömsund
Gateway town for the wilderness road, with fuel, shops, and river views. A practical launch point before heading into quieter country.
Hoting — City — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
City
Hoting
A small inland stop for fuel, snacks, and a reset between long stretches. The road here feels broad, quiet, and deeply northern.
Gäddede — City — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
City
Gäddede
The main service hub near the Norwegian border, with a remote Lapland feel. Good place to refuel before the high country.
Vilhelmina — Arrival — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Arrival
Vilhelmina
A friendly final stop with services, lodging, and easy connections onward. The loop ends back in a broader valley after the high-country drive.

Things to Do

Döda Fallet — Landmark — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Landmark
Döda Fallet
A dramatic emptied waterfall landscape with exposed rock and old river scars. Short walks make it an easy first detour.
Hällingsåfallet — Nature — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Nature
Hällingsåfallet
A powerful canyon waterfall in a forested gorge with easy viewpoints. Mist, moss, and steep cliffs make it one of the route's highlights.
Fatmomakke church town — Landmark — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Landmark
Fatmomakke church town
A historic Sami church settlement of timber huts and chapel buildings. It offers a strong sense of culture and place.
Stekenjokk Plateau — Nature — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Nature
Stekenjokk Plateau
The road climbs onto a vast treeless plateau with lakes, wind, and big sky. In summer it feels raw, open, and far above the tree line.
Marsfjället Nature Reserve — Nature — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Nature
Marsfjället Nature Reserve
Mountain scenery, hiking trails, and a classic Lapland wilderness backdrop. Good for a longer stop if you want peaks and quiet.
Hällingsåfallet viewpoint trail — waterfall hike — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
waterfall hike
Hällingsåfallet viewpoint trail
Walk the short trail to see the waterfall drop into a narrow canyon. The viewpoints are quick to reach and very photogenic.
Fatmomakke church town — cultural heritage — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
cultural heritage
Fatmomakke church town
Explore the traditional Sami and Swedish church huts around the old chapel. It is one of the most important cultural stops on the route.
Stekenjokk summer road crossing — scenic drive — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
scenic drive
Stekenjokk summer road crossing
Pause on the plateau for views across open tundra and mountain lakes. Summer snow patches and big horizons make this stretch unforgettable.
Marsfjället hiking trails — hiking — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
hiking
Marsfjället hiking trails
Take a mountain walk in the reserve for quiet forests, peaks, and wilderness views. Trail options suit both short breaks and longer outings.

Where to Eat

Fjällsikten — Swedish, café — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Swedish, café
Fjällsikten
A well-known stop near the mountain road for coffee, waffles, and simple meals. It is a useful place to eat while crossing the high plateau.
Hotel Nordica — Swedish, hotel restaurant — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Swedish, hotel restaurant
Hotel Nordica
A practical meal stop in Strömsund with classic Nordic plates and a central location. Good for an early dinner before or after the route.
Willys Vilhelmina — groceries, picnic supplies — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
groceries, picnic supplies
Willys Vilhelmina
A useful grocery stop for road snacks, picnic food, and drinks in Vilhelmina. Handy for stocking up in a region with sparse services.
Restaurang Kittelfjäll — Swedish, mountain lodge restaurant — Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road — Sweden
Swedish, mountain lodge restaurant
Restaurang Kittelfjäll
A rustic lunch or dinner option if you detour into the uplands. Expect hearty food that fits the landscape.

Explore related routes

Sweden road trips Iconic Mountain PassesWildlife & Safari DrivesEV Road TripsWeekend Drives Europe routes

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road drive?

The Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road covers 500 km from start to finish.

How long does the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2-3 days on the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road?

The recommended season for the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road is June-September.

Where does the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road start and end?

The Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road runs from Strömsund to Vilhelmina.

What are the main stops on the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road?

The Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road passes through Strömsund, Döda Fallet, Hoting.

Can I drive the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road in a regular car?

Yes — the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road, based on its 500 km length.

Is the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road EV friendly?

Yes — the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road safe to drive?

Services are sparse on the high plateau, so keep your fuel tank topped up and check opening hours for lodges, cafés, and ferries before leaving. Snow and road closures can linger into early summer at higher elevations.

What scenic tier is the Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road?

The Vildmarksvägen Wilderness Road is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.