We love walking and running in the woods, but how often do we stop to contemplate what is around us?
The usual outdoor activities that often lead us across forests, such as hiking, trekking or trail running, how much allow us to connect more intimately with the natural environment?
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In a forest, the time is on track with the passing of the seasons; we track it instead with a smartwatch, and often we cross the woods thinking of the distance we will have to travel in today's trekking stage or how to run more quickly to finish our favorite Strava segment in less time than ever.
It would be important to consider the forest as a place to delve into rather than just go through. Just a slight shift in viewpoint is necessary to prioritize taking a break and stopping there a moment longer than walking.
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A forest is worth slowing down for - especially in the High Coast
Taking a moment to pause and relax is a fantastic way to develop a deeper awareness of the forest environment and the basic feelings that nature may offer us.
It takes little more than an attempt to realize that, on occasion, it is also quite pleasant to pause and find that, despite its seeming immobility, the wood is capable of replenishing the mental and physical energy required for us to resume our journey.
This authentic experience elevates one's connection to nature. You will experience the benefits quite soon after spending a break in the forest: one feels more at ease in the environment, calmed, and relaxed.
There is proven scientific evidence in favor of the benefits for your general well-being and even your health resulting from spending time in a natural setting such as woods. This simple practice is known as "Forest Bathing" or “Shinrin-yoku” in Japanese culture, where forests in particular are sacred and are frequently connected to peace, beauty, and spiritual rejuvenation.
If you want to learn more 👉 Why to live yourself a break in the woods for health benefits >
You must make a commitment to taking breaks during your time in nature because, as we all too often do, stopping to pause during a hike prevents you from experiencing the outdoors as if it were a checklist or a journey to live on auto-pilot from point A to point B. Here in the High Coast, where pristine wilderness meets accessible trails, you can find yourself completely alone with ancient forests and dramatic coastlines. This rare combination of wild yet welcoming nature creates the perfect setting for genuine connection - a place where solitude doesn't mean isolation, but rather an intimate dialogue with one of Sweden's most remarkable landscapes.
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How to enjoy a pause and unwind in forests during your holiday in the High Coast
We suggest an enjoyable and surprising easy way to rigenerate in the woods: to lay back and relax in comfortable hammocks hanged from trees.
The importance of this pause lies in the experience—which is enjoyable and relaxing—and in the perspective: you have the opportunity to immerse your entire body and senses in the atmosphere of a Nordic forest.
A SKOGSPAUS, as we call it, allows you to find a regenerative balance between activity and inactivity in the moment that it takes to simply be outdoors and observe the things that you may have otherwise overlooked.
Spending more time in the woods, launging on a hammock, will be a lovely power break, and you may enhance all of the advantages of forest bathing by simply incorporating this practice into your walks, hikes, or runs.
That's a call for pausing and lounging outdoors in the Höga Kusten. Because stopping is not forbidden; it's the new goal 👍
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What Makes SKOGSPAUS Special?
Unlike traditional forest bathing, SKOGSPAUS adds a unique Nordic twist to the experience. It's not just about being in the forest – it's about truly surrendering to it. When you're gently swaying in a hammock among the pine trees, you're literally being cradled by nature. This elevated perspective offers a completely different way to experience the forest:
• Listen to the whisper of wind through the branches above • Watch sunlight dance through the canopy • Feel the gentle rock of the hammock matching your breathing • Experience the forest from a new angle – literally!
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Perfect Spots for Your SKOGSPAUS
While our upcoming guide "20 Hidden Meditation Spots in the High Coast" will reveal all our secret locations (stay tuned!), here are three magical spots where you can start practicing SKOGSPAUS today:
LYNX Path Rest Point (Östra bergstigen, Skuleberget Mount) • Where the ancient pines create natural alcoves perfect for hammock hanging. Take a mindful break here during your trail running or hiking session - it's especially peaceful in the early morning when the mist still lingers between the trees. Discover more: An excursion that covers the most breathtaking spots at Skuleberget Mount >
Vårdkallberget Rocky Pine Forest • A hidden gem along the 2.5km single track, where lush pine forest creates a natural meditation sanctuary. The rocky outcrops provide perfect spots to set up your hammock, while the sky over the woods invites contemplation. The gentle sea breeze through the pines creates a natural symphony perfect for forest bathing. Discover more: The taste of a wild hike at Vårdkallberget Mount >
Per-Olsbo Wind Shelter • A magical spot 3.8km along the Höga Kusten Leden from the old Vibyggerå church in Docksta. This historic shelter, built in 1997, offers not just protection from the elements but also stunning views of Dockstafjärden and Vårdkallberget. The surrounding forest creates a perfect setting for your hammock, while the shelter itself provides a connection to local heritage dating back to 1997. The journey here is part of the meditation - as you walk, you'll be treated to views that inspire mindfulness naturally. Discover more: Hike at the feet of Skovedsberget Mount to a magic shelter over the Dockstafjärden >
Pro tip 👉 Looking for more spots? Keep an eye on our blog for our comprehensive guide to the 20 High Coast's most serene meditation locations. Each suggestion has been carefully selected to combine accessibility with the perfect natural setting for forest bathing.
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Making the Most of Your Forest Pause
Here's how to embrace your SKOGSPAUS moment:
First 5 Minutes: Settle In • Let your body find its natural balance in the hammock. Notice how your breathing naturally slows.
Next 10 Minutes: Awaken Your Senses • Close your eyes and focus on each sense one at a time: • What do you hear? • What do you smell? • How does the air feel on your skin?
Final 15 Minutes: Just Be • This is where the magic happens. Let your mind wander or simply drift in the peaceful forest atmosphere.
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Beyond the Hammock: Integrating SKOGSPAUS into Your Day
SKOGSPAUS isn't just an activity – it's a mindset.
Here's how to carry its benefits throughout your stay:
Morning Ritual: Start your day with a brief forest pause before breakfast
Adventure Break: Use it as a refreshing interlude during hiking
Evening Unwinding: End your day with a peaceful forest moment
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The Science Behind the Serenity
Research shows that spending time in forests:
Reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels by up to 15%
Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
Boosts immune system function
Improves mood and reduces anxiety
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“Finding my pause: a misty morning at ‘He’ shelter”
The story of Saara, one of our guests, captures exactly what we mean by "finding your pause" and what happens when you let the High Coast work its quiet magic...
“The morning mist was still dancing between the pine trees as I made my way to the "He" wind shelter at Vårdkallberget. I had arrived in Docksta two days ago, driving down from Vaasa to spend some quiet time along the High Coast. The little boathouse by the sea had become my home away from home - simple, cozy, and just what I needed.
Yesterday morning, I'd rolled out my yoga mat on the dock, letting the gentle waves set the rhythm for my practice. Later, after breakfast, I got chatting with Anna at the Clubhouse. She told me about this interesting shelter in the forest - "He" - built by architecture students a few years back.
With just a small backpack, I set out on the trail. I'd packed the simplest of Swedish fika - a crisp red apple from the local shop, a natural energy bar I brought from home, and my water bottle. Sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy, especially when shared with nature.
The forest here felt so different from back home in Finland. Our forests there stretch as far as the eye can see, flat and dense, the pines standing like old friends in comfortable silence. But here... here the forest seemed to play with the landscape, running up and down the hills, giving you these unexpected glimpses of the archipelago below. Even the pines told different stories - stories of winds from the sea, of dramatic elevation changes, of a landscape still rising from ancient depths.
As I followed the trail through the misty morning, each step felt natural. The woods were quiet except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft crunch of pine needles under my feet. The morning fog muffled all distant sounds, creating a cocoon of peaceful silence.
When I first saw the "He" shelter, I had to stop and smile. In Finland, we have our laavu shelters - traditional, weathered, like they've grown from the ground. But this was something else entirely. Modern, yes, but somehow it belonged here, like it was part of the forest's story too.
I set down my backpack and made myself at home in the shelter. The morning light filtered through the mist and trees, making soft patterns on the wooden floor. Sitting there, alone but not lonely, I just closed my eyes and listened.
The forest spoke softly - leaves whispering to each other, old trees creaking their ancient conversations. No need to check the time, no need to plan the next thing. Just this moment, this breath, this peace.
That's what I love about traveling - how nature speaks different languages in different places. Our Finnish forests talk in silence. But here, I found a different kind of conversation - the gentle whispers of wind through pine needles, the quiet creaking of branches, all coming together in their own perfect way.
I opened my eyes to find the sun starting to break through the mist, warming my face. Taking out my apple, its crunch seemed to fit right into the forest's quiet song. Sometimes the best part of a journey isn't how far you go, but those moments when you simply stop, listen, and just be.
I guess that's what they mean by Skogspaus - not just taking a break in the forest, but letting the forest remind you of who you are. Here at "He," where new ideas meet ancient woods, I found my pause - and maybe a bit of myself I didn't know was there.”
Like Saara, many of our guests find their own rhythm here in the High Coast, whether staying in our cozy Boathouse by the marina or unwinding in the Guest House with its panoramic views. Each morning brings a new opportunity to pause, breathe, and discover - just as nature intended.
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Want to create your own Skogspaus moment?
Our Skogspaus hammock rental kits are available at the Sailor's Club House. For just 100 SEK per day, you can borrow everything you need for your own forest pause - a comfortable hammock, straps, and a simple guide to finding the perfect spot to hang and unwind.
The perfect accommodations to start from
If you are spending your vacation in the Höga Kusten, you can hike along the trails that take you to the stunning woods that encircle the village of Docksta, including the national park Skuleskogen and the renowned Skuleberget Mount. At our base camp by the sea, you'll be in a great place to begin exploring the area, and getting around #fromthepier will be a breeze. 👉 Take a look at our vacation Airbnb accommodations with the High Coast World Heritage site at your doorstep >
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