Discover Backe: Forests, Waters and Local History

Backe lies at the foot of the mountains in a mosaic landscape of forests and waters between the Fjällsjöälven and Backsjön. The town combines nature experiences with unusually diverse traces of history: a holiday apartment or holiday home in Backe is therefore a suitable base for days by the water, hikes, cultural discoveries and special local experiences.

Waters, trails and landscapes around Backe

Those who like to alternate between short excursions and longer activities when planning their trip will find various options in Backe. The Stigen runt Backsjön trail is 3.5 kilometres long and lies 100 metres from the town centre. The approximately one-kilometre-long Lidtjärnsstigen leads to a viewpoint overlooking Lidtjärn. From Backe, there is also access to 60 kilometres of hiking trails in the Fjällsjö hiking area.

Just outside the town stand the Vasatallarna: several hundred-year-old pine trees marked by fire, accessible via a short path from the road. Those who would like to include a historic landscape in their hiking plans can visit Jansjöbodarna. The historic summer pasture was established in the mid-19th century, lies at the end of the Djuptjärnsstigen and is also accessible by car, making it possible to shorten the walk.

The route to Jansjöbodarna also passes “Mystiska korset”, an ochre painting on a huge erratic boulder. The site has no known date and is believed to be approximately 1,000–2,000 years old. Canoeing is possible on Backsjön, and the waterway leads to the river; a beaver safari is also suggested as an activity.

Local History and Special Experiences

Backe has medieval origins and was an early trading centre. Fjällsjö kyrka, located on the shore of Fjällsjön in the town centre, contains a 13th-century Madonna figure of Norwegian-English type and a late-medieval winged altarpiece. Fjällsjö Hembygdsgård is located on Backsjön in Backe; around 1,000 historical objects from bygone times can be viewed there.

Smaller, unusual sights also make the town interesting. Backe kägelbana was built in 1888 at the so-called Kägelbaneudden just outside the town. It can be used for bowling again, and balls and pins are available. The stairwell of Gamla Lasarettet in Backe contains murals by Kaj På Höjda depicting life in earlier times. Fjällsjömarknaden is held in Backe on the first weekend of July and has taken place in its present form since 1946.

Svartvik handpappersbruk produces and sells paper art. A paper art gallery displays unique works, and courses of various lengths are also offered. Opening hours vary depending on the season; visitors are asked to contact the venue in advance. This makes it possible to plan a cultural excursion specifically, without combining it with hiking or water activities.

Active Days between the Bike Park and Ski Area

For sporting variety, Backe Bike Park offers a 3,000 m² pump track, a pump trail, a dirt line with wall ride and a skills arena with balance obstacles. The Landsomberget ski and recreation facility is located nearby on the shore of Jansjön between Backe and Rossön. It has a vertical drop of 211 metres and three runs, one of which is illuminated.

Those who like to begin their exploration directly in the town can take in the trails along Backsjön and the sights in the town centre. For a nature-focused itinerary, on the other hand, the hiking trails, Jansjöbodarna, the Vasatallarna or the water activities are suitable as important criteria when planning the trip.

Discover More Places

For further searches, you can also explore Rossön, Lidsjöberg, Stora Blåsjön, Norråker, Gäddede, Strömsund, Hoting and Hammerdal.

To the overarching travel overview: Strömsund.