A look at the natural environment of Jämtland County reveals a remarkable variety of protected areas: there is one national park, around 260 nature reserves, approximately 240 Natura 2000 sites, about ten bird protection areas and more than 20 natural monuments. In addition, around 50 bodies of water and aquatic habitats have been designated as having very high natural, fish, fishing or cultural values. The region therefore cannot be reduced to a single landscape or activity.

Sonfjället and Tännforsen: Experience Nature in Different Ways

The only national park in Jämtland County is Sonfjället. There you will find exhibitions and activities, as well as maps, hiking suggestions and information about places of interest. Marked summer trails range from short, child-friendly outings to full-day summit hikes and multi-day treks. Guided tours to observe bears and bear tracks are also available. Check with the provider in advance to see whether these tours are available.

Tännforsen offers a different kind of nature experience: the waterfall is considered Sweden’s largest and is a winter excursion destination when frozen. From the tourist station there, a marked, easy-to-walk path of about one kilometre leads to the waterfall. The area around Tännforsen has been a nature reserve and Natura 2000 site since 1971; rare plants and animals can be found here. The short walk is thus part of a larger protected natural area.

Mountain Trails and Pilgrim Routes

More than 2,000 kilometres of state mountain trails in Jämtland County are designed for winter and summer use. The County Administrative Board maintains this state network; other trails are maintained by municipalities, local associations and private operators. As the status of individual trails can change, check local conditions before setting out.

Classic mountain hikes such as Blanktjärnsrundan, Ottfjällsturen, Pyramiderna and Kyrksten start from Vålådalen. The village is also a starting point for multi-day hikes to the mountain huts of Stensdalen, Vålåstugorna and Lunndörrsstugan. If, instead of a tour from a fixed starting point, you are considering a longer pilgrimage route, the St. Olav’s Way is about 580 kilometres long and runs from Selånger on the Baltic Sea to Trondheim on the Atlantic. The medieval route reopened in 2013 after extensive renovation work. As it often passes roads and villages, you can join it at many points for shorter walks.

Cultural History in the Landscape and Museum

The mountain areas of Jämtland are a cultural landscape where people have lived and worked for thousands of years. Old routes and archaeological sites also bring this long history to life: Skalstuguvägen in western Jämtland has a thousand-year history and was the old main road between Jämtland and Trøndelag. The Krankmårtenhögen burial ground in Berg Municipality includes about 30 graves dating from 200 BCE to 200 CE.

In Östersund, you can experience three museums in one place at Jamtli. The open-air museum includes historic farms and buildings; Nationalmuseum Jamtli displays art and design from the collections of the Nationalmuseum. The Överhogdal tapestries are also presented there as Europe’s oldest pictorial textiles. Groups can book guided tours of the exhibitions and cultural spaces. There are also historical walks among heritage buildings and settings. At the open-air museum, these settings are brought to life with role-playing, shows and entertaining activities for children and adults; specific seasonal offerings may vary.

Cycling, Skiing and Local Cuisine

Cycling options also vary. Åre Bike Park offers 50 kilometres of cycling trails across 39 routes; check these figures again before your trip. Åre Municipality also has providers offering bike and equipment rentals, several of which run guided tours at different levels. At Vålådalen Mountain Station, cycling on local trails ranges from wide tracks to technically challenging routes. The Trail Center rents trail bikes, dirt bikes, children’s bikes and hardtails for gravel riding; a workshop and spare parts are also available. Check the availability of rental bikes in advance.

For winter, Åre Municipality lists around 200 ski runs across a total of seven ski areas. The figure may change, so it is worth checking the latest information. Cross-country skiing options range from extensive high-altitude trails above the tree line to undulating forest tracks and floodlit training loops with artificial snow. Snow and grooming conditions vary by season. Östersund adds a culinary dimension to the nature and culture themes: since 2010, the city has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy. Restaurants combine culinary skill and locally produced food with ingredients from Jämtland.

Discover More Destinations

Berg, Åre, Älvdalen, Härjedalen, Strömsund, Bräcke, Krokom, Östersund, Ragunda, Björnberget, Tandsbyn

Back to the main travel overview: Sweden.