Brunflo: Church History, Kastal and Bike Park

Brunflo combines striking medieval landmarks with active outdoor pursuits. Brunflo kyrka and the Kastal bring the town’s history to life through tangible buildings, while the Bike Park offers several different ways to ride. There is also a hiking stage to Östersund that runs mostly along Storsjön and offers views of the Oviksfjällen. This gives you a choice of culture, cycling and hiking when planning your holiday. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by considering which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Church history told through tangible buildings

Brunflo kyrka was inaugurated on 1 November 1775. It stands on the same site as a cruciform church dedicated to Saint Olof that was already there in the 12th century. This means two historical layers can be distinguished at one church site: the inauguration of Brunflo kyrka in the 18th century and its medieval predecessor. The church owns a medieval sandstone baptismal font, created by the Gotland master Sighraf, who was active from 1170 to 1215. The baptismal font adds a tangible medieval work, along with its material and creator, to the history of the church site.

Another striking building is the Brunflo Kastal: a 30-metre-high defensive tower from the 12th century, dedicated to Saint Olav. It is the only surviving kastal in Norrland and is also one of Jämtland’s oldest medieval buildings. Its classification therefore points both to a distinctive surviving building type in Norrland and to its great age within Jämtland. Those interested in regional architectural history will find a focus here that complements the history of the church.

Different ways to ride at the Bike Park

The Brunflo Bike Park offers several options. The larger jump line is about 400 metres long and has nine jumps. The forest section has six to seven trails with jumps, berms, wall rides and bridges. The Brunflo Pump Track is 170 metres long and includes a jump line. At 170 metres, it is shorter than the roughly 400-metre jump line; the forest section differs in having multiple trails and a variety of technical features. Brunflo Bike Park is considered a smaller mountain biking facility for people aged around eight to nine and up. This approximate age range provides a specific point of reference when planning a family visit.

Plan your hike and journey

The hiking stage from Brunflo to Östersund is 15.2 kilometres long and described as a day hike. It runs mostly along Storsjön and offers views of the Oviksfjällen. This gives the hike a different focus from the technical features at the Bike Park: the route and views of the landscape define the experience. Trail lengths and stage descriptions can change as trail maintenance is updated, so it is worth checking the current route information when making specific plans.

Norrtåg is also an option for travelling to and from Brunflo: the town is served by Norrtåg, and you can continue your journey by Norrtåg from here. Check the timetable for your travel date, as train services may change. When choosing a holiday apartment in Brunflo, your preferred way to spend the day is a useful starting point: would you like to focus on historic buildings and church history, or do you want cycling and the day hike to Östersund to shape your plans? That way, you can choose the destination based on the experiences that matter most to you, rather than trying to fit everything into a single holiday day.

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