Returning Through Central Sweden | Nordic Road Trip 2022 [6/6]

Our great Nordic road trip of 2022 was nearing its conclusion. After leaving the stunning Norwegian coast and the city of Trondheim behind, we began the final, long drive back towards home. This last part of our thirteen-day adventure would take us across the border from Norway and through the vast, forested landscapes of central Sweden. The goal was to reach the port of Kapellskär to catch the ferry back to the Åland Islands, where our journey had begun. With many kilometers still to cover, we settled in for the last stretch, filled with memories of the incredible sights we had seen.

Back to Sweden

The drive from Trondheim was a long one, taking us east towards the Swedish border. Our route passed near the historic mining town of Røros as the weather turned gray and rainy. Outside the camper’s windows, the landscape was dominated by bare, windswept mountains, a beautiful sight even under the overcast sky. With my dad at the wheel, several of us took the opportunity to rest and sleep, lulled by the motion of the vehicle and the drumming of the rain on the roof.

Crossing the border from Norway back into Sweden near Funäsdalen felt like a significant milestone. Although we were still far from home, being back in Sweden signaled that the final chapter of our trip had truly begun. The mountains of Norway gradually gave way to the rolling hills and dense forests characteristic of the Swedish landscape. The mood in the camper was a mix of tiredness from the long journey and a quiet appreciation for the final hours we had left on the road together.

Nordic Road Trip 2022, Border Norway Sweden — Norway

Dinner at Anderssjöåfallet

Almost immediately after crossing the border into Sweden, we were ready for a dinner break. We soon spotted a sign for a waterfall called Anderssjöåfallet and decided it would be the perfect place to stop. After parking the camper, we walked over to the falls, which were cascading down the rocky hillside with impressive force. It was a beautiful and refreshing spot, and we decided to prepare our evening meal right there, surrounded by the sounds of rushing water and nature.

While dinner was cooking, some of us couldn’t resist exploring a bit more. We found a small path that led up alongside the waterfall, and we carefully climbed it to get a better view from the top. From that vantage point, we could see out across the valley, and in the distance, we could just make out the slopes of the Tänndalen Ski Resort. It was a simple, unplanned stop, but the beautiful scenery and the short hike made it one of the memorable moments of our journey home.

Anderssjöåfallet, Härjedalen, Sweden — Anderssjöåfallet, Sweden

A Night in Edsbyn

After our dinner at the waterfall, we got back on the road with the goal of driving as far as we could to get closer to the ferry port for the night. We made a brief stop in the town of Sveg for some provisions before continuing our journey deeper into the dark, expansive forests of central Sweden. As night fell completely, the road ahead was illuminated only by our headlights, with endless trees lining both sides. Eventually, the long day of driving caught up with us, and we all started to feel the fatigue setting in.

We decided it was time to call it a day and began looking for a place to pull over. We ended up stopping for the night at a simple roadside rest area in a small town called Edsbyn. It was not a glamorous campsite, but it was all we needed for a few hours of sleep. The next morning, Jesper woke up early and went for a walk to explore the town while the rest of us enjoyed a long and much-needed sleep.

Edsbyn, Hälsingland, Sweden — Edsbyn, Sweden

Back to the Åland Islands

After waking up in Edsbyn, we began the very last day of our road trip. Our route took us south, and we made one final stop at the large shopping center in Valbo, just outside of Gävle, to pick up a few things. From there, it was the final stretch to the port of Kapellskär, a drive filled with a growing sense of anticipation. Arriving at the busy harbor felt both exciting and a little sad, as it marked the definitive end of our time on the road.

We boarded the MS Rosella, the familiar ferry that would take us across the sea back to the Åland Islands. Standing on the deck and watching the Swedish coastline disappear behind us, we reflected on the incredible journey we had undertaken. Nearly two weeks and thousands of kilometers later, we were finally heading home. As the familiar silhouette of the Åland archipelago appeared on the horizon, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for the adventure that had taken us through Finland, Sweden, and all the way to the stunning landscapes of Lofoten in Norway and back again.