Hiking trails Sweden, Jämtland, hiking from hut to hut
A circular walk, four sections, through the outstanding, glacial landscape of Jämtland, in Sweden central, near the border between Sweden and Norway. This hiking area is for a walker who doesn't opt for guaranteed good, warm, weather, a must! Silence, endless views, extensive unspoilt nature. Possibly one of the last wilderness areas in Europe.
Well marked routes (paint, stone-men, signs...)
Getting there: the ferry crossing from Kiel (Germany) to Gothenburg (Sweden), at night, and then 850 km. to the north, direction Ostersund in Jämtland. From here westward to Ostra Väladälen. Or: a flight to Stockholm, a domestic flight to Ostersund and from here the busses to Ostra Väladälen. In the middle of “the total nothing”. (See for busses from Stockholm airport-Ostra Väladälen also the timetable)
Accommodation: the huts (cabins) on trail. It is advisable to become a member of the Swedish Mountaineering Association, or the Svenska Turistföreningen, STF, - the Swedish Tourist Association - on your first stay in the hut of Ostra Väladälen.
Maps: Lantmäteriets Fjällkarta, Z7, scale 1:100.000, Are Välädalen.
Day 1: Ostra Väladälen - Välästugorna………………………………………………………..20km
Ascending for about 500 m. The first hours, unavoidably, through a wooded area.
Arriving at 800-900m., beyond the tree line, the views at the mountains, the lakes, the flora and fauna are breath-taking! At the end of the afternoon, after walking 3 km. per hour, you arrive at the second hut.
Walking on a “bumpy path”, but well marked. The hut is, like all, simple but good. You can buy there
pastas, mashed potatoes, canned meet. The huts are quiet, water from the well or river. Simple four person huts.
Day 2: Välästugorna - Gäsen STF……………………………………………...………………...16km
The path is a little bit more difficult, but doable. You have to cross little, fast flowing, rivers. One of them is about 10m.wide. Depending on the weather, inquire at the hut how the conditions are. A gently rising path. Total walking time: about 7 hours.
Day 3: Gäsen - Stensdalsstugorna (Stensdalen)………………………………...………..16km
An easy trail…..descending from about 1200m to 800m Because of a fire in 2011 they are rebuilding Stensdalsstugorna at this moment (2013).. Next year it will be ready.2019: it is!
Day 4: Stensdalsstugorna - Ostra Väladälen...……………………………………….…….13 km
Descending through a wooded area. From about 800m to 500 meter. An easy walk.
More on trail: crystal clear lakes, vast landscapes, fast flowing mountain creeks, the moose and many other species, special fauna………...the impressive silence……...as said: the total nothing.
Due to the diversified natural environment in Jämtland it displays a great deal of different animals. The animal most commonly associated with Jämtland is the moose. However northern Jämtland is the most densely populated brown bear habitat in the world. The last native beaver in Sweden was shot in northern Jämtland......
Jämtland is inhabited by several mammals from the weasel family. Besides the already mentioned wolverine the oter, otter, is widespread in the province and common near several streams, the least or snow weasel exists, along with planted, released and escaped minks. The province is also home to the pine marten and the ermine.. And, the reindeer, the red deer.....the trout, the salmon....
(Wikipedia)
Crystal clear lakes, vast landscapes, peatlands in the higher parts, consisting mainly of peat moss, dense forests, fast-flowing mountain streams.......
With 12 per cent of Sweden's land area, Jämtland County has only 1.5 per cent of the national population, and is among the least populated regions of Europe.
Klick here for another famous walk in Jämtland: the Jämtland Triangle !
