Spring is just around the corner and so too is trail running race season. That mean’s now is the time to get an event booked in the calendar and to start building some miles into your legs. As they always say, there’s nothing more motivating than having a race to aim for, something to pull you out of bed first thing in the morning to get some training in before your day starts. 

If you’re looking for an event that offers a mixture of challenge, adventure and even a bit of holiday R&R, look no further than the Icebug Xperience West Coast Trail. 

Taking place each year along the trails of Bohuslän on the west coast of Sweden (a two-hour drive from Gothenburg) entrants to this three-day day event take on a 74km island to island course that’s broken down into three stages.

As well as its unique course, what also sets the Icebug Xperience apart from most other races is the fact that it’s split up into four different starting groups, including a run, walk/run, walk and mini-tour (new for 2020). This means its super accessible for a variety of abilities, with people able to take on the course at their own pace.

The three stages for the race are split up as follows:

Ramsvik Rocks – 23 km

The first stage of Icebug Xperience West Coast Trail starts on the sea cliffs of Ramsvikslandet.

Here, you’ll run on the famous, red-coloured granite slabs for almost 8km, all the while surrounded by some of the most stunning views the west of Sweden has to offer.

When you’ve passed the cliff sections on the island of Ramsvik, you’ll run over a bridge back to the mainland. Once back there, you’ll run beautiful single tracks passing rocky hills and forests before you reach the typically Swedish fishing villages of Kungshamn and Smögen with their multi-coloured huts lining the water’s edge.