The Swedish Tourist Association (, ; abbreviated STF), founded in 1885, aims at promoting outdoor life and knowledge among the

Swedes Swedes (), or Swedish people, are an ethnic group native to Sweden, who share a common ancestry, Culture of Sweden, culture, History of Sweden, history, and Swedish language, language. They mostly inhabit Sweden and the other Nordic countries, ...

about their country. The Association maintains a variety of trails, huts and

hostel A hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a dormitory sleeping 4–20 people, with shared use of a lounge and usually a kitchen. Rooms can be private or shared - mixe ...

s in different parts of Sweden. It became known for the creation of

Kungsleden Kungsleden (King's Trail) is a hiking trail in northern Sweden, approximately long, between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. The full distance breaks down into 419.3 km of trekking, 18.2 km of lake crossings and a 29.5 km stretch o ...

, a 440 kilometer long

hiking trail A hike is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time. " ...

in Lapland, through one of Europe's largest remaining wilderness areas. The association has approximately 300,000 members, employing about 500 people of which 400 for seasonal work, for instance as landlords for 45

fell A fell (from Old Norse ''fell'', ''fjall'', "mountain"Falk and Torp (2006:161).) is a high and barren landscape feature, such as a mountain or Moorland, moor-covered hill. The term is most often employed in Fennoscandia, Iceland, the Isle of M ...

huts and 10 larger fell hostels.

Dag Hammarskjöld Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld (English: ,; 29 July 1905 – 18 September 1961) was a Swedish economist and diplomat who served as the second secretary-general of the United Nations from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in Septe ...

was one of the association's most prominent leaders. When becoming the

Secretary-General of the United Nations The secretary-general of the United Nations (UNSG or UNSECGEN) is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the United Nations System#Six principal organs, six principal organs of ...

, the only remaining duties Hammarskjöld kept in Sweden were those associated with his vice-chairmanship of the STF and as required by his membership of the

Swedish Academy The Swedish Academy (), founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. Its 18 members, who are elected for life, comprise the highest Swedish language authority. Outside Scandinavia, it is best known as the body t ...

Backåkra Dag Hammarskjöld's farm Backåkra (), close to Ystad in southern Sweden, was bought in 1957 as a summer residence by Hammarskjöld, then Secretary-General of the United Nations (1953-1961). The farm was in decline and its restoration came to last ...

, the farm which Hammarskjöld acquired in 1957, is, in accordance to his will, maintained by the STF; a part of the farm serves as a retreat center for the members of the STF.

References

External links

Svenska Turistföreningen
official web site {{Authority control Hiking organizations Culture of Sweden 1885 establishments in Sweden Tourism in Sweden Organizations established in 1885 Tourism agencies Non-profit organizations based in Sweden

See also

References

External links