Holiday apartment in Härjedalen – between forests, mountains and pilgrimage trails

Härjedalen stretches from woodland in the east to mountain ranges in the west. The region is characterised by landscapes close to nature, high mountains, ancient trails and a vibrant culture.

Landscape

Helagsfjället reaches 1,797 metres and is home to Sweden’s southernmost glacier. More than 400 plant species grow on Hamrafjället; for this reason, the mountain is known as Blomsterfjället, or Flower Mountain. The Rogen Nature Reserve also features a distinctive landscape: it encompasses a labyrinth of branching lakes, winding rocky moraine ridges, rocky mountains and very old pine trees.

Nature

Sonfjället National Park protects a natural forest and mountain landscape with coniferous and deciduous forests, wetlands and open heathlands above the tree line. The national park and its surrounding forests are among Scandinavia’s most important bear habitats. Bears, wolverines, lynxes, otters, golden eagles, red-throated divers, and ospreys can be found in the Rogen Nature Reserve.

At Hede Kyrkoherdeboställe, a trail leads through an ancient forest. The area is also home to pine trees that are more than 500 years old, as well as capercaillies, Siberian jays, black woodpeckers and three-toed woodpeckers.

Activities

The Rogen Nature Reserve is suitable for paddling, while hiking can be difficult in parts of the area. In Funäsfjällen, there are six alpine ski areas, 300 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, 610 kilometres of snowmobile trails and two freeride areas. In summer, Funäsfjällen offers high-mountain hiking, paddling, fishing, as well as cross-country and downhill cycling on trails.

The Lill-Rånden hiking trail runs through the Lill-Rånddalen Nature Reserve. A mountain pasture trail passes along the eastern boundary of the nature reserve, and many people go fishing in the area. Lofsdalen has 150 kilometres of hiking trails in an impressive mountain landscape.

The entrance at Nyvallen to Sonfjället National Park is located at a lively mountain pasture where several trails begin. A 2.5-kilometre family loop trail also starts there. In the Helags area, multi-day trails lead between mountain huts through the mountain landscape. The ancient Romboleden pilgrimage trail runs through Härjedalen towards Nidaros in Norway.

Culture and history

Hamrafjället was used for mountain pasture farming for centuries. After the last mountain pasture was abandoned in 1971, haymaking and livestock grazing were resumed in parts of the area. Högen is one of two fully preserved, four-sided farmsteads in the northern Swedish building style in Jämtland. The buildings at Högen were constructed from the 17th century to the early 20th century.

Lillhärjåbygget is located in southwestern Härjedalen, has been a cultural reserve since 2002 and continues to be a living mountain farm with mountain-pasture operations in an area without roads. Visits to Lillhärjåbygget must always be booked in advance. The Fjällmuseet presents the lives of mountain farmers, Sámi people and industrial workers. Lopme Laante Cultural Park is dedicated to Sámi culture and reindeer husbandry.

Rombovallen is a medieval burial site where pilgrims were buried after dying, among other causes, from cold or hunger during their pilgrimage to Nidaros in Trondheim. Tourist information for Sonfjällsbygden is available at the local heritage centre in Hede.

Other places

Funäsdalen, Hede, Hedeviken, Ljusnedal, Lofsdalen, Sveg, Tänndalen, Vemdalen, Vemhån, Messlingen, Ytterhogdal, Bruksvallarna, Tännäs, Lillhärdal, Älvros

For the higher-level travel overview: Jämtland.