Backpacking photographer in Dalarna, Sweden

<p>Hey Everyone,<br /><br />In August I want to spend two weeks (18-31) in Sweden. I'm still weighing my options, but one thing is for sure: the only travel partner I want with me is my trusted camera. Second thing, that is not 100%, but pretty close to 99% is, that I just want to put some clothes (and basic equipment) in my backpack, and go. So the less stuff I carry with me, the more Information I need... (or at least the more information would make me feel safer)<br /><br />I have no desire to see the major cities of Scandinavia, so right now I have two major targets:<br /><br />1. Taking a tour around the lake <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siljan_%28lake%29">Siljan</a> in Dalarna province, in central Sweden<br /><br />2. Hop on the <a href="http://inlandsbanan.se/en#.V05-RZOLTdQ">Inlandsbanan</a> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org">Inland line</a>), and see what it has to offer. I always wanted to give the Siberian Express a go, but didn't had the balls do so. This should be the warm up for it.<br /><br />At Siljan I don't want to do any fancy stuff. Maybe visiting a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orsa_Gr%C3%B6nklitt">bear park</a>, taking a cruise on the lake, looking for some of the people and workshops from this <a href="https://story.visitsweden.com/meet-the-original-hipsters/">article</a>, and just being present in Sweden without any stress, crowd or running around.<br /><br /><br />So, has anyone experience with this part of Sweden? Or with Sweden in general? </p>

I've only been in a few Swedish cities but there are some good scenic travel options in Norway. There is a

good train/bus/ferry route along the coast from Kristisnsand to Oslo that takes a couple of days. It is/was

called the discovery route. The bus stops for a waterfall photo op and the ferry is a several hour long cruise

down the Hardangerfjord. The Bergen to Oslo train has a stop in Finse where there are hotels and hostels

with hiking trails radiating out in several directions. And there is a boat trip from Bergen up the Sognefjord

which is one of the more spectacular fjords. If you have enough time to include Norway I think you'll enjoy

it.

<p>Thank you for your contribution! I don't think I will be able to include Norway this time, but will definitely keep your suggestions in mind!</p>

<p>I have been to Gothenburg and Lake Vanern and up that part of the West coast. Sweden is very expensive - often startingly so, and it was difficult to get an alcoholic drink. The landscape is not really spectacular, but is more gentle, with pleasures that take more time to imbibe - more like Maine in the USA or Cape Cod. I have not been to Silian, but it looks similar to Vanern. If you want excitement then you probably won't get it and the people are not particularly outgoing in the way they are in say France or Italy or even the UK. It depends what you want to do and the sort of person you are, but this will be a quiet and possibly even a little dull. But sometimes quiet is just what you want. Personally, I think I would find backpacking in Sweden not really to my taste - a little too quiet for me. Norway is more spectacular for sure. Of course once you get up north in Sweden it gets more interesting. If you are used to the flatter parts of New England then this is pretty well similar terrain-wise to much of Sweden. Please take this all with a pinch of salt. I have not been there for over a decade and what suits you may not suit me, nor have I actually been to Siljan.</p>

<p>Sweden is beautiful and very much worth the trip. One advice, bring plenty of insect repellant.....</p>