Holiday apartment in Älvdalen – Nature, Culture and Trails

In Älvdalen, landscapes, trails and traditional culture exist side by side. Historic sites, porphyry workshops, museums and distinctive natural features come together to create a diverse picture of the area. Regular public buses run to Älvdalen; this service is operated by Dalatrafik.

Culture

Älvdalen Church is protected as an ecclesiastical cultural monument under Chapter 4 of the Swedish Historic Environment Act. Its oldest parts date from the 1580s. The church acquired its current size and basic form in the 1810s and 1820s, in the Neoclassical style. East of the church lies Kyrkhärbret, in the grounds of the former vicarage; it can be experienced as part of Älvdalen’s church village. South of the church stands a memorial monument to the witch trials: a stone with a plaque bearing the names of those who died, together with a nearby explanatory sign.

The language is also part of the local character. Älvdalska, an old language with roots in Old Norse, is spoken in Älvdalen. At Rots Skans, Café Slöjdstugan serves fika, ice cream and waffles. The Rots Skans fortification, dating from 1677, can still be identified by its ramparts and well. The open-air museum there presents settlements, forms of housing and crafts from the late Middle Ages to around 1900.

History

Porphyry processing is present in several places. The Porphyry and Hagström Museum has a permanent exhibition on porphyry production. At Nya Porfyrverket, the original production environment has been preserved, where porphyry was produced until 1984. Outside regular visiting hours, visitors can book private guided tours in advance for their family or group.

The area around the porphyry quarries at Blyberget is of great cultural and historical significance and includes a small exhibition about the laborious quarrying work. The old porphyry quarry at Blyberget was used from 1788 until the beginning of the 1940s and is now protected as an ancient monument.

Hedbodarna is considered one of Sweden’s best-preserved long-distance summer grazing farms and has been classified as being of national importance for cultural heritage conservation. The operation of the Hedbodarna long-distance summer grazing farm has been documented since the 17th century; many distinctive, well-preserved historic buildings stand there. In summer, Hedbodarna welcomes guests who can experience traditional life with livestock. Butter, messmör and fika can be ordered in advance.

Nature

The summit of Hykjeberget lies 594 metres above sea level. Below it, the mountain drops away in an almost vertical, 100-metre-high rock face. Hykjeberget is a south-facing mountain; its heat-retaining rock face creates a local climate for demanding plant species. A steep, rocky hiking trail leads up the mountain to a wind shelter at the summit.

In Blyberget Nature Reserve, there is a circular trail of approximately 1.5 kilometres starting at the entrance. The Romboleden also passes through Älvdalen Municipality. The trail combines impressive natural scenery with local history and offers huts and wind shelters along the route where pilgrims can rest. The Vasaloppsleden also passes through Älvdalen and includes several beautiful, easily manageable stages.

Water

Älvdalens FVOF offers fishing permits for fishing waters in rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. Fish found in the flowing waters include trout and grayling. The lakes are home to perch, pike, and occasionally Arctic char and trout. Ice fishing in Älvdalen normally begins once the waters have frozen over in November and continues until the end of April.

Cycling Trails

Älvis is a 2-kilometre cycling trail in the stadium area, running along a bark track, scenic paths and a gravel road. Mtb-kåsan is a 10-kilometre mountain bike trail with challenging climbs and descents as well as technical sections. The 12-kilometre Gröntjärnsrundan runs from the stadium area along forest roads and trails towards Näset and the Porphyry Dam.

The Älvdalen cycling area at the ski stadium has several cycling trails. These include short routes for children and longer routes with technical sections.

Further destinations: Fjätervålen, Grövelsjön, Östersund, Härjedalen, Ragunda, Åre, Bräcke, Berg

To the main travel overview: Jämtland.