77km, Eight Runners and a Lot of Rocks – The West-Coast-Trail, Sweden, 4-6 September 2026

Report by Barbro Julin

We who took part were Louise, Philip, Catherine, Malcolm, Alison, Michael, Olov and Barbro.

The September air was crisp off the Skagerrak, carrying the salt-sharp tang of the open ocean as eight of us lined up at the start line.
We were a mixed bunch from the club, all bound by a shared, slightly crazy goal: tackle 77 kilometers of Sweden’s rugged West Coast Trail over three unforgettable days.

Day one set the tone immediately. The West Coast Trail isn’t your average smooth singletrack; it’s a living, breathing landscape of weathered granite slabs, exposed coastal ledges, and quiet, moss-covered pine woodlands.
We spent hours jumping across smooth, ancient grey, sometimes pink rocks ground flat by ice ages, watching waves crash against the shoreline just feet from our shoes, before ducking into
dense green forests where the damp earth muffled our footfalls.

Basecamp for the long weekend was Ramsvik Camping, which quickly became our sanctuary. Every morning started in the warm restaurant, fueled by strong Scandinavian coffee, oats,
pickled herring, and endless plates of food while we debated gear choices and checked our maps. After hours out on the trail—fighting wind, negotiating slick rock scrambles,
and taking in breathtaking panoramic sea views—crossing the finish line each afternoon meant one glorious thing: the official West Coast Trail post-run lunch, laughing through tired legs while devouring fresh local meals provided at the finish line.
Back at the Ramsvik campsite, sauna and cold dips in the sea before dinner became the trip’s best ritual. There was also yoga on the beach if weather permitted.

As night fell over Ramsvik, we’d gather at the camp restaurant for hearty dinners, nursing black toenails and blisters and swapping stories of near-slips, scenic vistas, and the quiet moments of flow on the trail.

By the end of the third day, our legs were completely spent, our shoes were caked in coastal mud, and our lungs were full of sea air.
We had covered 77 challenging kilometers together—not as individual runners, but as a team that conquered the wild Swedish coastline.
Somehow, we were all bitten by the Icebug, as all of us have signed up for 2027!!