Ratan between Lake, Forest and Special Trails

Ratan combines the expanse of Rätanssjön with large forests, marked trails and remarkable cultural sites. The narrow, straight Rätanssjön lies in Rätan; at the same time, the town is surrounded by forests. The lake is an extension of the Ljungan River. This gives Ratan different starting points for planning your trip: You can combine active days in the ski and trail area with landscape experiences, viewpoints and an insight into the town's history.

Lake, Forest and Views

Several places make the landscape around Ratan tangible. Platån offers a magnificent view over the Rätansbygden area. Another viewpoint is located on Galberget and offers a view of the mouth of the Ljungan River. At the viewpoint on Galberget there is also a tall wooden statue resembling Galbergsgubben.

Skolskogen also adds its own distinctive feature. The forest lies idyllically beside the rushing Sågbäcken, among moss-covered stones and lichen-covered spruces. If you include this place in your plans, the signposted access road from Rv315 follows Sågbäcksvägen for about 700 m to a turning area with a car park. From there, it is about 300 m along a signposted path to Skolskogen. Take these details into account when planning your day and consider which excursions you would like to combine.

Ski Trails, Hiking Routes and Paths

Ratan is suitable for travellers who want to fill their stay with various outdoor activities. The ski trails have marked routes and loops. Rätan also has a ski play area; a heated waxing hut can be used by the ski trails. For winter orientation, it is also important to note that four groomed snowmobile trails meet at the central petrol station.

Several named routes are available for walks and longer excursions. Promenadslinga Rätan-Kojbyn is 9.7 km long. The hiking and cross-country route Böle-Rätansleden, also known as Böleleden, starts and ends in the ski and trail area of Rätan and is approximately 20 km long. A marked path leads from the foot of Galberget and from Rätan's ski and trail area up to Platån. Depending on your preferred daily rhythm, you can therefore choose between a designated promenade route, a longer named route and a path to a viewpoint.

Wooden Church and Local History

Rätans kyrka tells the story of the area's earlier history. It was built in the 1790s after a wooden chapel or church of unknown age on the shore of Rätanssjön had been demolished. Rätans kyrka is a well-preserved wooden church dating from the 1850s, with an unusual floor plan and unusual choir design.

Rätans hembygdsgård is located on the western shore of Rätanssjön. The local heritage site comprises about ten buildings of different types and sizes. The local heritage association of Rätan runs a summer café. Together with the church, this creates a cultural focal point distinct from the ski trails, viewpoints and forest paths.

The Right Location for Your Trip Planning

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Ratan, you can first consider which experiences should define your stay. For active days, take the information about the ski trails, Promenadslinga, Böleleden and the paths on Galberget into account. If landscapes and local history are the main focus, Rätanssjön, Skolskogen, the viewpoints and Rätans kyrka take centre stage. Families and groups travelling with different interests can thus plan their days around several clearly distinct focal points and then consider which accommodation location best suits their own plans.

More Destinations for Orientation

For further orientation, you can also find Skärkdalen, Oviken, Myrviken, Klövsjö, Svenstavik, Hackås, Galabodarna and Kvarnsjö.

To the higher-level travel overview: Berg.