Introducing: Next-Level Hiking in Helags

Whatabout Level 1? Well, we assume that you've been doing that on your own for this one – you already have hiking and camping experience, but you probably followed trails and perhaps even stayed in huts along the way. Now we're heading into untrailed wilderness and it's all camping!

Of course it's about having a fabulous hike together. But it's also very much about learning the skills to plan for an expedition like this, navigate in unknown terrain, assess hazards and weather, and even lead the group for a day or two. It's kinda like a section of a mountain leader course, light.

Helags mountain massif

Let's start off by diving into what hiking through this beautiful landscape entails. And then we'll dig deeper into the skills we'll learn along the way.

The Helags mountain massif is one of Sweden’s most stunning wilderness areas. Hiking here means navigating unmarked trails, crossing glacier-fed streams, and adjusting to the ever-changing conditions of the highlands. The landscape transitions from lush birch forests at lower elevations to vast, open tundra, glacial valleys, and high-altitude plateaus. It's a constantly evolving backdrop of natural beauty!

The Helags (1,797 m) peak trek was actually named by National Geographic as the third most beautiful in the world! But we're getting ahead of ourselves.

At lower elevations, the hike starts in sparse birch forests, where soft trails wind through mossy ground. This is where we’ll likely see reindeer herds grazing, along with foxes and ptarmigans moving through the undergrowth. As we climb higher, the trees disappear, and the terrain becomes open tundra, stretching for miles with lichen-covered rocks, hardy alpine flowers, and occasional wetlands.

The area around the Helags Glacier is one of the most striking parts of the massif. Here, the landscape is more rugged, with scree slopes, moraine fields, and exposed rock formations. The illusive arctic fox is sometimes spotted in this area, and the golden eagle is a common sight, soaring high above the peaks. The glacier itself is a fascinating reminder of the ice age’s lasting impact, with meltwater streams carving their way through the valleys.

Ascending to Helagstoppen (1,797 m) is one of the highlights of the trek. The climb takes us through rocky slopes and occasional snowy patches, requiring steady feet on the uneven terrain. At the summit, the view is – although we know this word is wildly overused – breathtaking!! Endless mountain ridges stretching into Norway, the glacier glistening below, and the rugged beauty of Sweden’s highlands in every direction.

Next up is crossing the legendary Ekorrpasset, the most exposed section of the trek. And this is on purpose, to practise harsh conditions! The high-altitude pass is known for its strong winds and unpredictable weather, making it a challenging place to camp. This is reindeer territory, and their migration trails are often the best route through the rocky landscape. Peregrine falcons and snow buntings can be seen in this area.

Descending toward the valleys, the landscape softens, leading into wetlands, small lakes, and rolling fjells. Here, sandpipers and arctic terns skim across the water, while red foxes and even the occasional moose move quietly through the landscape. The contrast between the high-altitude plateaus and the sheltered lower valleys is one of the fantastic characteristics of the trek. We get to experience the full picture of Sweden’s subarctic ecosystem.

Not just showing up for this one

This hike begins before you even set foot in Sweden. While we handle most of the pre-planning (in Level 3, you're part of that too), the whole group meets over Zoom ahead of the trip.

We go through the route plan, alternatives, hazards, weather, food, packing, and group roles. It’s a great chance to share skill levels, expectations, worries, wishes, what-have-yous. And it means we've already started to bond as a group before the trip even starts! We decide on tent buddy teams together, and assign which team leads the expedition on which day.

Navigation & route planning

A huge part of this trip is learning to navigate through untracked terrain. The key is to move efficiently without constantly checking the map and compass – that’s where route cards come in. Each morning, the tent buddy leaders of the day and your guides review the map, check the weather, and plan the day's route using leads and catches.

• A lead is something you follow, like a stream, ridge, or valley.
• A catch is a clear, unmistakable feature that tells you where you are, like a lake, a sharp change in elevation, or a river crossing.

It also means checking gradients for the best paths and triangulating compass bearings when needed. By the end of the hike, you'll have a solid foundation in wilderness navigation, making you more confident in planning and leading your own future trips.

The mountains don't care about our plans

We’ll practice safe stream and river crossings, an essential skill when hiking off-trail. And since Helagsfjället is known for its fast-changing mountain weather, we’re deliberately camping in Ekorrpasset, one of the windiest, most unpredictable spots in the area. If we don’t experience a storm naturally, it’s almost guaranteed here! Learning to adapt to the conditions is of course one of the most important skills for any serious hiker.

Keeping the team solid as a rock

One of the most overlooked but essential skills in expedition-style hiking is reading and managing group energy levels.

A long, demanding week in the mountains isn’t just physically tough –it’s mentally challenging too. Fatigue, sore muscles, and fluctuating motivation are all part of the experience. As a group leader, it’s crucial to pick up on subtle signs and adjust accordingly. This could mean taking a longer break, redistributing some gear, or even modifying the route. Sometimes, it’s about making small adjustments – other times, it means making big decisions, like picking a different campsite or rerouting to avoid bad consequences.

For example, experience of similar expeditions tells us that everyone may not choose to summit Helags. Some might feel worn out, have minor aches, or simply need to recharge for the rest of the hike. And that’s totally fine!

A big part of leadership is recognizing when the best decision is to adjust the plan so that the whole group stays strong for the days ahead.

To conclude, this hike isn’t just about getting from A to B – it’s about learning to lead, adapting to nature, and supporting each other as a team!

Practical info