Höga Kusten Trail

The course

Buses take you from FriluftsByn to the start at Entré Väst, by the E4 near Skuleskogen National Park, and you start any time in the 08:00 to 09:00 window; your own time begins when you cross the line. The first 2.5 km are forest road before the route climbs past Skrattabbortjärnen to Stampberget, then drops into the Slåttdalen valley towards the ravine of Slåttdalsskrevan (closed to entry because of rockfall risk) and Tärnättvattnen. The first energy station is at Tärnättholmarna on the coast, at 15 km.

Stage two loops back inland past Tärnättvattnen and Slåttdalsskrevan a second time, up Slåttdalsberget and down to Kälsviken and Entré Syd, where the second station and the cut-line at 16:00 are at 26 km. Stage three follows the Höga Kusten Trail footpath, with 3 km of gravel road through the village of Käl, over Getsvedjeberget with its Predikstolen viewpoint and under the E4 through a tunnel to Skuleberget Östra, the third station. The last stage climbs the east side of Skuleberget and then drops down to FriluftsByn before the final climb.

The finish is on top of Skuleberget, reached by Linbanestigen, the path beside the cable car. The organiser calls it a family path in normal life, but after about 43 km it is very steep. You can walk or ride the cable car down to the party in FriluftsByn. The organiser's course page is partly outdated (it describes the 2024 changes), so check the briefing the evening before.

How to enter

Places are released in two rounds and go very fast. In 2026 half were released on Friday 27 February and sold out that weekend; the remaining half went on sale on Sunday 15 March at 15:00. For 2027 the organiser's home page says entries open on Friday 5 March 2027 at 15:00. The organiser says places have sold out every time for 11 years. There is no seeding, qualification or licence.

In 2026 the Original 45 km cost 1 095 kr (about EUR 100) to 31 March, 1 195 kr from April to May and 1 295 kr from June; 2027 prices have not been published. The fee covers energy stations, a map, buses from FriluftsByn to the start, timing, first-aid staff, a medal and the after-trail party, and includes a payment to the county board for trail use in the national park and nature reserve. Places cannot be cancelled, even with a doctor's note, unless you add cancellation insurance when you enter (Startklar, 155 kr, or Startklar Plus, 275 kr, 2026). You can transfer your place for a 100 kr service fee, but you cannot defer it or change distance.

How to train for it

Run on rock and roots, not only on gravel

The 45 km is on narrow, technical footpaths with smooth granite slabs, loose stone and tree roots that are slippery when it rains. Do most of your long runs on uneven forest trail and practise walking steep climbs efficiently.

Prepare a hard last 2 km

You finish by climbing the steep Linbanestigen after 43 km. Include hill repeats or long steep walking in the last hour of your long training runs, and have food in reserve for the finish.

Pace the first 26 km against 16:00

The only cut-line is at Entré Syd, 7 hours after the first start. Check in training what pace you hold over 26 km of technical trail, so that you reach the second half with some margin. The median finisher took 7 h 21 min for the whole course.

Plan for two dry stretches

Water is only refilled at the stations and at the stream Skravelbäcken at the end of the first stage. Carry at least 0.5 l (1.5 l is the organiser's suggestion) and drink early on the exposed tops.

Test your shoes on wet rock

Metal studs are banned to protect the trails. Choose shoes with deep rubber lugs that you have already used on wet rock slabs.

What you need

• T-shirt, shorts or tights, running shoes and your bib; metal studs are not allowed.
• A windproof jacket, hat and gloves, and an extra long-sleeve base layer in the pack (used if you are hurt and after the finish on the top of Skuleberget).
• Phone with the race office number saved, a whistle and a headlamp.
• Bandage and elastic wrap for first aid.
• A container for at least 0.5 l of fluid, energy food and sports drink.
• Toilet paper; the toilets on the route are limited and paper can run out.
• Spot checks of mandatory kit are made before, during and after the race, and missing kit means disqualification. Littering means immediate disqualification.

Getting there and staying

FriluftsByn, at the foot of Skuleberget, is the start and the finish area for all distances. The nearest places to get public transport are Örnsköldsvik and Kramfors train stations. Y-bus coaches from Umeå and Stockholm stop at Docksta, about 2 km from FriluftsByn. A flight runs between Arlanda and Örnsköldsvik. The organiser says local transport is limited and recommends a car if you can. Parking next to FriluftsByn costs 50 kr per day. A Trail-Bus from the organiser's partner hotels costs 100 kr return (250 kr for others).

Staying at FriluftsByn is most popular and books early. Cabins for Friday to Sunday were listed at 3 200 to 6 000 kr per cabin in 2026, and a gym-floor sleeping place, Löparkollo, at 400 kr, and tents are on site. Collect your bib on Friday evening for the 45 km, with a briefing and mini-expo that evening. After the finish you go down by cable car or on foot to the after-trail at FriluftsByn with food and live music.

Where to find out more

• Höga Kusten Trail (opens in a new tab): The organiser's site with distances, entry, course descriptions, rules and results.
• Entry and fees (opens in a new tab): Release dates, price steps, cancellation insurance and transfer rules.
• Travel, accommodation and food (opens in a new tab): How to get to FriluftsByn, the Trail-Bus and lodging prices.
• Results 2026 (Neptron timing archive) (opens in a new tab): Official results for the Saturday races, including the 45 km.