At the start of the 21st century, Swedish entrepreneur and 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 founder 脜ke Nordin had a vision for helping others explore the breathtaking landscapes of Scandinavia that he loved鈥攍ike the glacier-carved fjords and valleys, sawtoothed granite peaks, and sapphire blue lakes of the Scandes Mountains. Enter the 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 Classic, an organized group trek celebrating community in the outdoors along a long-distance path. It wouldn’t be a competition; in fact it would be the opposite, just a chance to walk with others and connect in the wild.
During the Classic鈥檚 inaugural year in 2005, more than 150 hikers completed more than 68 miles of the iconic Dag Hammarskj枚ld trail from Nikkaluokta to Abisko in Sweden. Ten years later, more than 2,100 hikers finished the same route, and it鈥檚 still the path the Classic follows today. Even as the 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 Classic has grown, it remains true to the spirit Nordin established, welcoming eager trekkers of all skill levels, from first-time backpackers to seasoned outdoorists.
The emphasis on enjoying nature, not conquering it, makes for a trekking culture that鈥檚 all about slowing down, enjoying the sights and sounds, and sharing the experience with others. But that doesn鈥檛 mean you should expect a walk in the park. Nordin created 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 gear to support people exploring the world鈥檚 roughest terrain and being prepared for all kinds of weather, which is exactly what you should be prepared for when heading into the wild.聽聽
鈥淏eing self-sufficient in the outdoors is not unique to the Swedish way of trekking, but I think it is a cornerstone of our events,鈥 says Carl H氓rd af Segerstad, 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍鈥檚 global event manager. 鈥淵ou carry all you need, and you are completely independent. No sherpas, no porters, and no huts or cabins like in the Alps. It’s more like an exploration expedition in that sense. But what you really explore is your own capacity and learning.鈥
The Classic became so popular that 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 decided to spread the love. This year, the Classic is happening in five locations around the world. The original and longest trek is in Sweden, where there鈥檚 the potential to see reindeer in the wild. The trek in Denmark passes through charming villages and farmlands. Germany鈥檚 hike drops participants into the Allg盲u Alps, and Korea鈥檚 route enters Mt. Hallasan National Park. And lastly, the Classic in the United States travels deep into the Colorado backcountry. Each location offers unique scenery, experiences, and challenges. Trekkers carry all their gear on their backs and 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 takes care of the rest, from transport to route planning, plus the company provides a few surprises and delights along the way.
Copy to a new draft To help minimize the impact of the Classic, 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 teams up with partners like Leave No Trace in the U.S. and Patron Plasticfree Peaks in Germany. The goal everywhere is to educate and inspire participants to tread gently and carefully on the trail.聽
鈥淭hanks to public land being open and accessible to everyone, it is everyone鈥檚 right to make use of it and share the responsibility,鈥 says H氓rd af Segerstad. 鈥淏ut it is also our responsibility to make it open and accessible to all people.鈥
You don鈥檛 need a ticket to spend time in nature or along the same routes. You can explore the routes through the 鈥攁nd mark your calendar for the 2024 season.
鈥淭ime in nature is always special,鈥 says H氓rd af Segerstad. He calls out benefits like reduced stress levels, improved attention and concentration, greater strength and balance, and increased hopes for the future and belief in one鈥檚 own capabilities.聽
鈥淚 have seen these positive effects happen over and over again with different people participating at the 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 Classic and that is truly special.鈥
In 1960, 脜ke Nordin founded in his basement in the Swedish town of 脰rnsk枚ldsvik. Since then the brand has stayed true to its mission of developing timeless, functional, and durable outdoor equipment, acting responsibly toward people, animals, and the environment, and inspiring more people to discover outdoor life.