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

Swedes Swedes ( sv, svenskar) are a North Germanic ethnic group native to the Nordic region, primarily their nation state of Sweden, who share a common ancestry, culture, history and language. They mostly inhabit Sweden and the other Nordic countr ...

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, with shared use of a lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex and have private or share ...

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. It passes through, near the southern end, the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, one of the largest protect ...

, a 440 kilometer long

hiking trail A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. The ...

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 moor-covered hill. The term is most often employed in Fennoscandia, Iceland, the Isle of Man, pa ...

huts and 10 larger fell hostels.

Dag Hammarskjöld Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld ( , ; 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 September 196 ...

belongs to the association's most prominent leaders. As

Secretary-General of the United Nations The secretary-general of the United Nations (UNSG or SG) is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. The role of the secretary-g ...

the only remaining duties Hammarskjöld kept in Sweden were those associated with his vice-chairmanship of Svenska Turistföreningen and his membership of the

Swedish Academy The Swedish Academy ( sv, Svenska Akademien), 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 bes ...

. The farm

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 ...

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

References

External links

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