#BIG5 Challenge: 5 years of trail running magic in Sweden's High Coast

“My journey through five editions of mountain magic, forest friendships, and the authentic spirit that makes the High Coast's most unique trail running event truly special.” _Tom

When a trail fox started telling our stories

It all began with a simple idea that Johnny and I shared: what if trail running could be more than just covering distance? What if it could become a story worth telling, a community worth building, and an adventure worth sharing?

That's how 🦊_Skully, our beloved trail fox mascot, was born and became the heart and soul of the Skuleberget #BIG5 Challenge. Through the dedicated Instagram profile @skulebergetbig5, Skully doesn't just promote our event – he weaves tales of mountain adventures, forest friendships, and the pure joy of running wild through Sweden's most spectacular landscape.

"Every trail has a story to tell, and every runner has a story to write," Skully often reminds us, embodying the authentic spirit that makes our challenge unlike any other trail running event in Scandinavia.

The birth of something special at Skuleberget

The Skuleberget #BIG5 Challenge emerged from the passion of trail runners who wanted to create something genuine in the High Coast region. Located in Höga Kusten (High Coast), part of the Höga Kusten/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage site, this isn't just another race – it's a celebration of what makes Nordic trail running truly magical and what we love most: authentic outdoor experiences and… adventure!

The vision became reality through the friendship and collaborative efforts of passionate trail runners, with Johnny Forslund (@johnny.forslund) serving as co-creator and bringing essential expertise in Nordic trail running culture. Johnny's understanding of what makes trail running sessions truly special helped us shape the #BIG5 Challenge's unique character from its very beginning.

I've watched Höga Kusten's magic unfold through every season. This stretch along Sweden's Baltic coast, where ancient mountains meet pristine waters, creates a landscape that seems crafted specifically for trail running adventures. The region's unique geology, formed by post-glacial rebound and featuring the world's highest known land uplift, offers runners everything from coastal paths to mountain peaks, all within a compact area that feels like nature's own trail running playground.

At the heart of this natural wonderland stands Skuleberget Mountain, rising 295 meters above the Baltic Sea and offering five distinct trail segments that have become legendary among Nordic trail runners.

Five trails, one epic journey

The #BIG5 Challenge takes its name from five carefully selected uphill trail segments on Skuleberget that we mapped out together, each with its own character and challenge:

🏃‍♂️ LYNX - The uphill power segment that tests your climbing strength
🦌 ELK - The endurance challenge that demands mental fortitude
🐻 BEAR - The strength section through steep ski slopes
🦅 EAGLE - The most vertical segment, with stunning panoramic view spots
🦊 FOX - The finale that combines wisdom with determination

"Each segment teaches you something different about yourself," Skully explains through our storytelling. "LYNX shows you your power, ELK reveals your endurance, BEAR tests your strength, EAGLE demands your courage, and FOX... well, FOX teaches you that every ending is just a new beginning."

*The Official Path Sequence:* LYNX uphill -> **BEAR** downhill -> **ELK** uphill -> **FOX** downhill -> **BEAR** uphill -> **LYNX** downhill -> **EAGLE** uphill -> **ELK** downhill -> **FOX** uphill -> **BEAR** downhill

The complete challenge covers approximately 25 kilometers with 1,500 meters of elevation gain, winding through red granite formations, ancient pine forests, and offering breathtaking views of the High Coast archipelago, with it's fjörds and forests, that I wake up to every morning from the piers of the marina.

A community born from authentic passion

What truly sets our #BIG5 Challenge apart isn't just the stunning location or challenging course – it's the authentic community that has grown around it. The High Coast Runner Strava Club has become a year-round virtual gathering place for trail enthusiasts.

"Johnny and I never set out to create just another race," I often reflect. "We wanted to create something that honored both this incredible landscape and the people who love to explore it."

This philosophy extends to every aspect of our event. There's no entry fee, no formal registration process, and no time limits. Instead, there's a simple requirement: if possible, bring at least one friend, because the best adventures are shared adventures.

Stories that make legends

The 5th edition brought moments that perfectly capture our event's inclusive spirit. My and Mia, two young girls under 10, became the challenge's youngest-ever participants, conquering the demanding EAGLE segment and touching the traditional Skrubban monument at the summit. Watching them achieve this reminded everyone that mountain spirit knows no age limits.

Our event has also fostered unexpected partnerships, like the collaboration with Wild & Berg (@wild&berg), a Finnish company whose protein balls found their way into participant gift bags – not through corporate sponsorship, but through genuine Nordic friendship and shared values that I deeply appreciate.

Local running groups like Skogslöparna have definitely embraced our challenge as part of their annual adventures, while international participants regularly make the journey to experience something they can't find anywhere else.

Beyond the Challenge: A year-round community

Video from the 2025 Challenge courtesy of @ezio.adventures

Our #BIG5 Challenge represents just one weekend, but its impact extends throughout the year. The High Coast Runner Strava Club maintains an active community of trail and outdoor enthusiasts who share routes and sessions, organize informal runs, and support each other's outdoor adventures.

Åska, Skully's champagne-colored tabby cat companion (and my real-life feline friend here at the marina @åskailvampiro), has become famous for crafting the colorful fabric gift bags that participants receive – each one hand-sewn and personalized, embodying our commitment to authentic, personal touches over mass production.

"In a world of corporate events and standardized experiences," Åska notes in our storytelling, "we choose to remain small, personal, and genuine. That's not a limitation – it's our greatest strength."

The Italian trail renaissance

As an Italian living in Sweden, I'm particularly excited about the growing participation of Italian trail runners, drawn to the High Coast's unique combination of mountain challenge and Nordic hospitality. Athletes like @ezio.adventures @rogerolivieri @bepperunandcode and @paolofiacchi have become ambassadors for our #BIG5 Challenge in Italy, sharing their High Coast experiences and inspiring a new wave of Mediterranean mountain enthusiasts to discover Swedish trail magic.

"My fellow Italians are discovering what I've known since moving here," I often tell them. "The High Coast offers something you can't find in the Alps – this perfect blend of technical challenge, pristine nature, and authentic community spirit."

This connection between my Italian heritage and Swedish home creates something special – a bridge between Mediterranean passion and Nordic authenticity that enriches our entire community.

Sharing our story beyond the trails

The authentic spirit of our #BIG5 Challenge has caught the attention of the broader trail running community, including features in specialized media like the Runner's Tales podcast, where I had the opportunity to share insights into what makes this High Coast event so uniquely compelling. These conversations help me spread awareness of Sweden's hidden trail running gems to international audiences seeking authentic outdoor experiences.

Skuleberget #BIG5challenge Runner’s Tales episode >

The Finnish connection: Marika's magic touch

One of the most beloved news of our 5th #BIG5 Challenge has become Marika's post-trail foot massages (@maricken1) – a recovery service that has elite runners and weekend warriors alike singing her praises. This Finnish friend of our High Coast community brings professional sport massage expertise to the after-challenge, providing the perfect end to 25 kilometers of mountain adventure.

"After conquering EAGLE's steep granite and FOX's final push, there's nothing quite like Marika's skilled hands helping your feet recover," laughs elite athlete participant Emil (@korpen_emil83). "It's become one of the most anticipated parts of the entire experience."

Marika's presence exemplifies the international friendship that defines our #BIG5 Challenge – a Nordic network of outdoor enthusiasts who support each other's adventures across borders. Her massage station has become an unofficial gathering point where stories are shared, new friendships are formed, and the day's achievements are properly celebrated.

Åska's legendary lasagne: The perfect “grande finale”

Starting from the 2024 edition, No #BIG5 Challenge is complete without Åska's famous post-challenge lasagne feast. After 25 kilometers of mountain adventure, participants gather at Docksta Havet Base Camp for what has become our event's most anticipated tradition.

"There's something magical about sharing a meal after conquering the mountain together," I explain, as Åska's homemade lasagne has become legendary among returning participants. "It's not just about refueling – it's about celebrating what we've accomplished as a community."

For the runners, the post-challenge gathering transforms the marina into a storytelling hub where new friendships are forged, epic moments are relived, and plans for next year's adventure begin taking shape. Elite athletes sit alongside first-time challengers, sharing tales of the mountain’s experience or about their own passione.

The magic of handmade traditions

Perhaps nothing captures our event's authentic spirit better than the traditions we've created. Every participant signs a collective poster before the challenge begins – a ritual that has created five years of memories now displayed in my marina's Sailor's Club House.

At 2025 edition, we introduced finisher medals that tell their own story of authenticity. Crafted by 🦡_Mozy the badger (in Skully's storytelling world), these aren't mass-produced awards but handmade wooden pentagons, laser-engraved and fitted with green ribbons that match the forest trails. Each medal represents not just completion, but participation in something genuinely special.

"These aren't just medals," Skully explains in our stories, "they're pieces of our High Coast spirit – crafted with the same care that builds our traditional wooden boats."

Partnership with Höga Kusten Tourism: Sharing the Heritage

The 2025 edition marked a significant milestone with the Höga Kusten Tourism team (@högakusten) joining as an official partner, recognizing our #BIG5 Challenge's role in promoting authentic outdoor experiences in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Their contribution went beyond simple sponsorship – each challenger received an additional gift bag containing a beautiful guidebook about the High Coast, ensuring that participants could continue exploring the region long after their trail running adventure ended.

"The #BIG5 Challenge perfectly embodies what makes the High Coast special," explains the Höga Kusten Tourism team. "It's not just about athletic achievement – it's about connecting people with our unique landscape and helping them understand why this area earned World Heritage status."

A network of authentic partnerships

Our #BIG5 Challenge's growth has attracted partners who share our commitment to authenticity and community. From Wild & Berg's Finnish protein balls to the Höga Kusten Tourism team's educational guidebooks, every partnership enhances the participant experience while maintaining our event's genuine character.

Local partnerships with groups like Skogslöparna orienteering club (@skogslöparna) and TNT TeamNordicTrail Sundsvall ensure our event remains connected to Sweden's broader outdoor community, while international connections through influencers help spread our High Coast story across Nordic borders and the Internet.

"From Marika's healing hands to the Höga Kusten Tourism team's educational support, from Åska's handmade gift bags to Mozy's wooden medals – every detail of our #BIG5 Challenge reflects my belief that the best adventures happen when authentic people create genuine experiences together," I reflect through Skully's voice.

The perfect Base Camp experience

Docksta Havet (@dockstahavetbasecamp) provides more than just accommodation for visiting runners and explorers. With options ranging from the minimalist Boathouse to the glamourous waterfront Dock House and spacious Guest House, participants can choose their perfect recovery environment.

The marina's Sailor's Club House serves as the natural gathering place, offering free espresso, trail maps, local expertise, and the kind of authentic Italian-Swedish hospitality that makes visitors feel like temporary locals rather than tourists.

"We don't just provide beds and moorings," I explain to every guest. "The Base Camp provides the complete High Coast experience – from trail recommendations to weather insights to the best spots for post-run recovery, all filtered through my unique perspective as an Italian who's made this Nordic paradise home."

Looking forward: The future of authentic adventure

As our #BIG5 Challenge enters its sixth edition, Johnny and I remain focused on preserving what makes it special while welcoming new participants to experience the magic. We actively seek partnerships with organizations that share our values of community and respect for the Mountain with its natural environment.

For potential partners, the Skulegerget #BIG5 Challenge offers something increasingly rare in the sports world: genuine authenticity. This isn't about logo placement or corporate messaging – it's about joining a community that values quality over quantity, experience over exposure, and stories over statistics.

Join our adventure

The Skuleberget #BIG5 Challenge happens annually on May, timed to capture the Swedish spring at its most beautiful. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner seeking a unique challenge or someone curious about joining a truly authentic outdoor community, I welcome you to the High Coast.

"The mountain doesn't care about your personal records or your running resume," Skully reminds us in our stories. "It only cares about your willingness to explore, to challenge yourself, and to share the adventure with others."

Follow @skulebergetbig5 for year-round inspiration, join the High Coast Runner Strava Club for community connection, and consider making Docksta Havet your base for exploring one of Sweden's most spectacular trail running destinations.

Because in the end, our #BIG5 Challenge isn't just about running 25 kilometers through beautiful terrain – it's about discovering what happens when authentic passion meets pristine wilderness, when individual challenge becomes shared adventure, and when a simple trail run becomes a story worth telling.

[ SPRING EDITION ]

6th Skuleberget #BIG5 Uphills Challenge

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Read all about the details!

WHERE:

SKULEBERGET MOUNTAIN

87396 Docksta, Västernorrland, Sweden

WHEN:

30 MAY 2026

START:

10:00 a.m.

The runners will meet at the parking area of the Naturum Höga Kusten World Heritage Centre shortly before, around 09:30. Last-minute changes to the start times may occur.

AFTER-CHALLENGE GHATERING:

#BIG5 “THIRD TIME”

As you finish running, we are waiting for you at the #BIG5 after-challenge, where participants and guests are coming to meet together to share and celebrate the experience. The event that take place at the marina club house in Docksta includes snacks and drinks of a frindly fika, parking, and a service house for changing and showering. By car, the marina is just a few minutes from Naturum.

Ready to write your own High Coast story?

Whether you're inspired by My and Mia's youthful courage, intrigued by the growing Italian trail running connection, or simply drawn to experience Åska's legendary post-challenge lasagne, I invite you to become part of our authentic mountain community.

Contact Information:

Email: dockstahavet@gmail.com
Instagram: @skulebergetbig5
Strava: High Coast Runner Club

The mountain is waiting, and Åska's already planning next year's lasagne... 🦊

"See you on the trails, brave souls!" - Skully

This isn't just trail running – it's a celebration of what makes the Nordic outdoor community so special: friendship, craftsmanship, and the shared belief that the best stories are written on mountain trails.