On the paths of the Fjällmarathon

Today is the day of our big hike 🤗. Ian's new shoes finally have to be put to the test. We don't have a real plan. Just small markings in the forest that look very promising and a rough map that leads to the summit of the mountain opposite. Based on our estimates, we suspect that there is about 20km ahead of us 🤭

But before we start, I set off on our morning walk with the Wauzis. Today we walk along the right path from our accommodation. The route is very promising. But after about 30 minutes we turn around. After all, we still have a lot to do today.

The street along our dog walk is pretty damaged. A car can ever drive there... Or? 😅.

Ok, the Swedes are obviously tougher 😂. I wouldn't have thought it possible but somehow the cactus seems to have gotten up 😂 #magic

Back at the accommodation there is a hearty breakfast. All you have to do is quickly grease your packed lunches and off you go 🥰. It's very cool to stumble out the front door and go on your journey without a car ride 🤗. On the way we discover a small hobbit cave 🥰. How cute she is.

After a short time, a very muddy path awaits us, which has been lined with hokz planks. Man, they put a lot of effort into their hiking trails 🫣😅. Maybe the route we are on is a bit bigger?

The first section of the path turns out to be extremely strenuous 😅 we follow a root-covered and stony, extremely steep path through the forest up the mountain.

After the first 3km we take our first break. Phew. We were a little horrified when we looked at our cell phone. Like first 3km? How was that again with 20km 😅. This will be exhausting 😂.

Meanwhile, Mia is having the time of her life. As always when you take a break with a dachshund, he comes to the leash. During a break there is finally enough time to follow the wild scent that has been on your nose the whole time 🙈.

With slight doubts about our plans, we continue our way across the forest. After a while the trees thin out and we get our first glimpse of the surroundings. Simply picturesque here 🥰

Wow, when did we climb so high 🤗. It was clearly worth looking back.

A few km further we come to a small hut. Time for a short rest

There is a large sign with the Fjällmarathon here. It's high time to finally google the trail markings that accompany us. And what should I say. I think we have to go back to Sweden on August 1st, 2024 😂

The Fjällmarathon is an adventure marathon through the mountains. While we in Germany usually have 3-4 distances of 5, 12, 18 and 60km for events like Mud Masters, Strong Viking or Xletix, the Swedes apparently use different standards. They also have 3 distances. However, 27, 42 and 100km. It's a good thing that we flatlanders almost died in the first 3km of hiking 😂. Challenge accepted! I'm interested 💪 who's coming with me? 😂

https://youtu.be/YpSU5tMi1Ws?si=LYIgfT69cRPk7qw9

The route definitely delivers the promised mud. My pants have already adapted to the Kelpies' fur.

By the way, I think Dixis are also unnecessary during the marathon. At least that's what the found shovel suggests to you 😂

We quickly grab one of the cookies that Joe and Clara packed for our wedding present 🍪. Best cookies 😋

After we found out that the crazy Swedes were jogging along this route, we continued with new courage. After we left the forest, the route became much more pleasant and definitely a lot flatter. The color scheme has also changed again and the floor is covered in a delicate purple.

While Xletix builds its own obstacles, the Fjällmarathon takes advantage of the challenging environment. You hop from stone to stone over small arms of the river.

Meanwhile, the view becomes more and more beautiful. It must be an amazing feeling to complete the marathon here. Definitely a completely different house number!

We walk straight towards a bank of clouds. Brr that's definitely going to be cold. Quickly put the jackets back on. It's now a cool 8 degrees up here.

Meanwhile, the landscape has changed again and given way to a wide, stony plain.

We're not at the top yet. But here at this rotual site a summit cross is clearly missing 😂.

There actually seem to be quite a few hills up here. The path goes up and down from peak to peak. The obstacles remain quite natural here 😂

The dogs definitely had fun. While the lame two-legged friends are holding on to a rope, they walk alongside us in a relaxed manner and are completely indignant that they are not allowed to run this fun route.

Suddenly we hear it complaining from behind a stone in front. The Kelpie stands guard in front of it and looks at me proudly. Yikes. Arya found a chamois straight away 😅. So far we haven't seen any animals or people up here. Only the cloven hooves in the mud suggested that they were mountain dwellers.

It's not far to the summit now. Suddenly we realize that I have lost Mia's leash 😅. But you'll definitely find it on the way back. We can already see the next small house in the distance. And we quickly completed the last kilometer. And indeed. We have reached the top 💪

The climb was definitely worth it. Craziness.

At 1050m altitude we enjoy the view and of course have another cookie 😋🍪

According to Komood, the entire route up to here was only 9km? Never ever 😅. We would definitely have to train a bit before the marathon 😂.

We take the time to thoroughly enjoy the view. The dachshund feels very comfortable up here. I don't think she would have any objections to a small mountain hut.

The Kelpies also show no signs of tiredness yet 😂

The Raptor even wanted to start a little racing game again 😂

Let's go back down 🤭. Back to the cloud bank.

Back at the rope passage we find Mia's leash again. Well, bad luck dachshund 😂

On the way back, Arya takes every stream she can find. As if after a good agi training, she stands with all 4 paws in the water to cool down a little. So she found it a bit tiring after all 🤭

Since we've been here in Sweden, Ian and I have been playing "See sitz". An adapted game from the series How I Met your mother. Anyone who discovers a lake must first mark it with Lake Sitting. Well, what can I say. LAKE SEAT 😂!

On the way back we pass a very strange tree. How did he grow so much?

Just like its dad, Jive shows no signs of fatigue. She would definitely be able to handle the 100km without any problems 😂

After a total of 16.9km we arrive back at our accommodation. The trip was definitely worth it. Nevertheless, we are still amazed that it was only 16 km. The route definitely seemed longer to both of us.