Tresticklan National Park

Welcome to the rugged, untamed wilderness of Tresticklan National Park, located in the northwestern reaches of the Dalsland region, right hard against the Norwegian border. As you take your first steps onto the trail, you are…

As we walk deeper into the trail, pay close attention to the dramatic undulations of the terrain beneath your boots. The defining geological feature of Tresticklan is its highly regular, almost rhythmic, fissured bedrock. …

Surrounding us now is the true treasure of Tresticklan: the primeval pine forest. Often referred to by the German term 'Urwald,' meaning ancient or original forest, this environment offers a stark contrast to the highly managed…

As the trail dips down from the rocky ridges into the glacial valleys, the landscape transforms abruptly from dry pine forest into a network of elongated lakes, bogs, and dense marshes. Because the glacial rifts run parallel, the…

We now approach a fascinating geographical anomaly of our hike. As we traverse this seemingly endless expanse of wild forest, we arrive at a small, unassuming creek spanned by a simple crossing. …

As we continue along these ancient, secluded paths, it is imperative to acknowledge a darker, deeply heroic chapter in the history of this forest. During the Second World War, when neighboring Norway fell under the brutal…

As we ascend what appears to be one of the highest ridges in the park, panting slightly from the steep incline, we confront a fascinating paradox of the Tresticklan experience. It is human nature, when climbing a hill in the…

As our journey through the ancient depths of Tresticklan National Park comes to an end, let us pause to reflect on the immense privilege of experiencing a landscape so rare and untamed. We have navigated the brutal, glacial…