Härjedalen: Ski holiday between mountain massifs and Funäsfjällen

Härjedalen stretches from woodland in the east to mountain massifs in the west. For a ski holiday, Funäsfjällen offers six alpine ski areas, 300 kilometres of cross-country trails, 610 kilometres of snowmobile routes and two freeride areas. In summer, the area also offers high-mountain hiking, paddling, fishing, as well as cross-country and downhill cycling on trails.

Winter

The mountain character is exemplified by Helagsfjället, which reaches 1,797 metres and is home to Sweden’s southernmost glacier. A different type of landscape is protected by Sonfjället National Park: it contains natural forest and mountain landscapes with coniferous and deciduous forests, wetlands and open heaths above the tree line. Sonfjället National Park and its surrounding forests are also among Scandinavia’s most important bear habitats.

Nature

Hamrafjället is known as Blomsterfjället, or “Flower Mountain”, because of its more than 400 plant species. In Rogen Nature Reserve, meanwhile, a labyrinth is formed by branching lakes, winding stony moraine ridges, rocky mountains and very old pine trees. Bears, wolverines, lynxes, otters, golden eagles, grey phalaropes and ospreys occur there. Rogen is suitable for paddling, while hiking can be difficult in parts of the area.

At Hede Kyrkoherdeboställe, a trail leads through a primeval forest. There are also pine trees here that are more than 500 years old. Bird species found here include capercaillies, Siberian jays, black woodpeckers and three-toed woodpeckers.

Trails

At the entrance to Sonfjället National Park at Nyvallen lies a vibrant summer pasture farm, where several trails begin. A 2.5-kilometre family loop trail also starts there. In the Helags area, multi-day trails lead through the mountain landscape between mountain huts. The old pilgrim route Romboleden runs through Härjedalen towards Nidaros in Norway.

More trails and landscapes are found in Lill-Rånddalen Nature Reserve. The Lill-Rånden hiking trail runs through the reserve, while a summer pasture trail follows its eastern boundary. Many people go fishing in the area. Lofsdalen has 150 kilometres of hiking trails in an impressive mountain landscape.

History and culture

Hamrafjället was used for summer pasture farming for centuries. After the last summer pasture farm was abandoned in 1971, haymaking and livestock grazing were resumed in parts of the area. In the history of pilgrimage, Rombovallen is significant: this medieval burial site is a place where pilgrims were buried after dying, among other causes, from cold or hunger during their pilgrimage to Nidaros in Trondheim.

Högen is one of two completely preserved farms in Jämtland built on all four sides according to the traditional building style of northern Sweden. The buildings were constructed from the 17th century to the early 20th century. Fjällmuseet presents the lives of mountain farmers, Sámi people and industrial workers. Lopme Laante Cultural Park is dedicated to Sámi culture and reindeer herding.

Lillhärjåbygget lies in the southwest of Härjedalen. The settlement has been a cultural reserve since 2002 and remains a vibrant mountain farming community with summer pasture operations in an area without roads. Visits to Lillhärjåbygget must always be booked in advance. Tourist information for Sonfjällsbygden is available at the local heritage centre in Hede.

More destinations: Vemdalen, Älvdalen, Berg, Åre Municipality.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jämtland.