Hiking on Gotland

Gotland on foot

Hiking is one of the best ways to discover Gotland's landscape. The terrain is mostly flat and easy going: trails run along the coast, through open pine forest, across bare limestone heaths ("alvar") and out to the striking raukar formations. The nicest time to go is early summer, in May wood anemones bloom first, followed by wind anemones, and by June the meadows are full of wild orchids. September is also a good choice: mild, quiet and well suited to longer routes.

Gotland's marked trails follow the "Gotlandsstandard", a single, island-wide waymarking system with signposts on posts and trees, regular maintenance and information boards at each trailhead. The free Naturkartan app and website list every route with its length, surface and difficulty.

The long-distance trails

For multi-day hikes or long day walks, Gotland has several connected long-distance trails:

• Östkustleden (73 km): the island's longest trail, running from Närsholmen to Anga prästänge along the east coast, past long sandy beaches and old fishing villages.
• Klintkustleden (30 km): from the Björkume nature reserve near Lummelunda to Harudden on the north-west coast, shaped by limestone cliffs ("klint") and old pine woods.
• Torsburgenleden (17 km): from Kräklingbo north to the Mullvalds nature reserve, through farmland with fine viewpoints.

On the pilgrim trail: St Olav's Way

Gotland is also a destination for pilgrims. The S:t Olofsleden (part of the Nordic St Olav Ways) runs for roughly 60 kilometres between S:t Olofsholm on the east coast and Visby Cathedral (Sankta Maria Domkyrka), crossing heathland, forest and quiet country lanes. Along the way it links seven medieval churches, a reflective way to get to know the island of a hundred churches. The route splits comfortably into day stages.

Short walks to the raukar

If you only have an hour or two, the raukar coasts offer short, striking loop trails right on the sea:

• Digerhuvud on Fårö: Gotland's largest raukar field, with several hundred limestone stacks - a narrow loop trail follows the coast for kilometres.
• Langhammars on Fårö: the classic raukar field in the north, with short loops right by the water.
• Folhammar near Ljugarn: a nature reserve on the east coast with fine paths along the cliffs.
• Holmhällar on the southern tip: unusual raukar made of marble-like reef limestone, with a coastal path curving from the fishing village of Holms to Skvalpvik.

More on protected areas and marked trails is in the nature guide.

Gotska Sandön, hiking in the national park

The biggest hiking adventure lies offshore: Gotska Sandön National Park, a remote sand island north of Fårö, has around 60 kilometres of trails through pine forest, open heath and long, empty beaches. Accommodation is simple, in the lighthouse settlement of Fyrbyn or on the campsites, which have toilets and drinking water.

The M/S Gotska Sandön ferry takes about 2 hours 15 minutes from Fårösund. In the 2026 season it runs between late May and late August on three days a week (Wed/Fri/Sun), with additional day trips (no overnight stay) in July. Places are strictly limited and allocated through the Länsstyrelsen - for the summer months, book well in advance. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you travel.

Practical tips

• Sturdy footwear: the ground on the raukar coasts is stony and uneven.
• Wind and sun protection: there's little shade on the alvar and along the open coast, and it's often breezy, bring a hat and plenty of water.
• Ticks: ticks occur in woodland and long grass; long trousers and a check after your walk are worth it.
• The right to roam: Sweden's Allemansrätten allows free movement through the countryside, with respect for nature, wildlife and landowners.

For tips on getting to Gotland and getting around, see the Gotland travel information.