Sweden is a haven for berry lovers, offering an abundance of wild berries that grow naturally across its forests and rural landscapes. Read on and learn more about berry picking in Sweden.
Some of the most common berries you can find are:
- Blueberries (Blåbär): A popular berry found in Sweden’s pine forests. They thrive in acidic soils and are usually abundant from July to September.
- Lingonberries (Lingon): These tart, red berries are iconic in Swedish cuisine, commonly found in the northern part of Sweden they thrive in pine forests and open woodlands. They ripen from late August to October.
- Cloudberries (Hjortron): A rare and highly prized berry, cloudberries are mainly found in the northern bogs and wetlands. They’re golden-orange and ready for picking from mid-July to August.
- Wild Strawberries (Smultron): These tiny, fragrant berries are a delightful find, often growing along sunny forest edges and meadows. They typically appear from June to July.
- Raspberries (Hallon): Wild raspberries can be found in the clearings, along roadsides, and at the edges of forests. They’re usually ripe from July to August. You find them in the south part of Sweden.
Best Hiking and Walking Trails for Berry Foraging:
- Sörmlandsleden Trail: This extensive trail system in Södermanland offers over 1,000 kilometers of paths through diverse landscapes. Sections near Nyköping and Trosa are known for their rich blueberry and lingonberry spots, especially in late summer.
- Skuleskogen National Park: Located in the High Coast area, this park’s trails lead through ancient forests and rocky coastlines. It’s a fantastic spot for blueberry and lingonberry picking, with the best time being August.
- Fulufjället National Park: In Dalarna, this park is renowned for its stunning waterfalls and rich berry patches. Cloudberries are the crown jewel here, and foragers flock to the marshy areas in July and August to collect them.
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Fulufjället National Park. Photo: Sveriges nasjonalparker Tyresta National Park: Just a short drive from Stockholm, Tyresta offers an excellent
opportunity for urban dwellers to enjoy berry foraging. The park’s trails meander through old-growth forests, where blueberries and lingonberries grow in abundance from July to September. - Åsnen National Park: Located in southern Sweden, Åsnen’s mixed woodlands and wetlands are perfect for foraging wild strawberries and raspberries, particularly in July and early August.
- Abisko National park: Located in the most northern part of Sweden, perfectly located for the golden berries, cloudberries. You find them mainly in the wetlands / swamp. They are growing individually close to the ground and they are the best berries in Sweden if you ask me!
Best Time to Go Berry Foraging: The best time for berry foraging in Sweden is during the summer and early autumn months, typically from mid-July to early October. Each berry has its peak season:
- Blueberries: July to September
- Lingonberries: Late August to October
- Cloudberries: Mid-July to August
- Wild Strawberries: June to July
- Raspberries: July to August
Foragers should aim to go out in the early morning when the weather is cooler, and berries are at their freshest.
Sweden’s “Allemansrätten” (Right of Public Access) allows everyone to roam freely and pick berries on public land, making it a berry forager’s paradise. Just remember to respect nature and take only what you need!
Berry Picking in Sweden, written dedicatedly for Daily Scandinavian by Agnes Maltesdotter
Agnes is an experienced Swedish hiker and brand ambassador for Merrell Hiking Club, a women-centric community which aims to empower, inform and inspire female hikers.
Feature image (on top): © Michal Bozek/Unsplash