Enjoy hiking in Sweden with Markus on a magical 3-day adventure in the awe-inspiring Vålådalen Nature Reserve. Discover hidden and untouched wilderness areas, amazing wildlife and the culture of the Sami people.
Group
3 Days
Aug, Sep
Intermediate
Intermediate
The Vålådalen Nature Reserve is located in Sweden’s Jämtland county and is part of the Natura 2000-network. It is a hidden gem in the Swedish Mountain Range with pristine lakes, rivers, and ancient untouched forests. Furthermore, the region is full of historical, cultural remnants that serve to narrate the story of the place. The Sami people still work and live in this area and we will get to learn from their beautiful culture. Additionally, bear, elk, reindeer, wolverine, lynx and king eagles regularly pass through and we will also be able to sight them on our hiking adventure.
The program itself is adjusted to the night trains so that you can arrive on the morning of day 1 and return on the evening of day 3. The first day will be the easiest and we will enjoy a 19 km hike. Then, the second day, we will hike for around 16-17 km and the third day will be slightly longer with a 20 km hike. We will be outdoors and active around 6-8 hours per day. Therefore, a good fitness level is required. You can find a detailed itinerary below.
Please keep in mind that we will not disclose the exact location of the Sami sacrificial sites. Also, we will respect the local culture, wildlife, habitats, and nature reserve rules. Furthermore, we believe in creating an awareness of the natural and cultural value of the area to protect it from forestry and mining.
So, are you ready to discover beautiful landscapes, wilderness, and people? Then you must come hiking in Sweden with me! Just send your request and we will start planning an unforgettable adventure together.
Hike through the forest to the heart of the reserve where we find some remote cabins by the treeline.
Hike to Lunndörrsstugan, a mountain cabin by the tree line, next to the famous valley Lunndörren. In winter 1978 there was a big accident in this area which was the start of the Mountain Safety Council and mountain rescue in Sweden. Also in the area is an old Sami sacrificial site.
We have a magical hike by the treeline through landscapes shaped by the ice age. Expect to see the Pyramides of the north, the Royal Hunting Society Pavilion and the Ice Age Valley. This area is still very well hidden from international visitors and bordering to the mountains of Anaris where you can walk for weeks without meeting anyone.
Water bottle
Sunglasses
Hiking boots, rain protection, sunscreen, hat, gloves and a head torch
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
Distances each day are around 16 km (10 miles). There are some altitude gains, but not a lot so this does not really matter that much.
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
You do not need a lot of experience, but having broken in your boots helps.
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
Very easy! There are many daily trains from Stockholm. You can also fly to Trondheim Vaernes Airport and either go by train or rental car from there. Another idea is to fly to Åre/Östersund airport and go by car, taxi or train to the meeting point.
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
Accomodation is in simple mountain huts. They are clean, warm and provide a friendly atmosphere. We will have to chop wood and fetch water together as a team - your guide will help you with how everything works, and it's quite fun to be honest :-) Meals, we will cook them together.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
We take care of this. However, making sure you have a travel insurance is a good idea.
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
Personally I like mid-August to end of September.
Can I join a group?
If you see the "Join a group"-tab then we have open dates, otherwise it will be hard for us to accommodate this.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
If the weather is bad, we go any way. If we have to cancel due to safety concerns we will plan for something else or refund an amount equal to the amount of days where we can not provide the service. However we love a good experience and getting a good story, and sometimes the best stories are created in less than ideal weather :-)
What are the beds like?
The beds are typically bunk beds, with a mattress, pillow and blanket. They are clean and the beds are inviting. Usually around 4 to 8 persons sleep in the same room.
Why should I go on this trip with you?
Few people have a better knowledge about this area and we could probably spend the whole trip talking about history and culture in the area.
What is a typical breakfast like?
Usually we make something like porridge with raisins, nuts and jam. We might also have some kind of bread with different types of cheese on or perhaps a salami. This is usually Swedish hard bread but occasionally we also make scones on the stove. If you prefer something like juice we usually bring powdered ice tea which is a good substitute when in the mountains. Coffee, tea and plenty of fresh mountain water.
What is a typical lunch package like?
The lunch is prepared during breakfast. Usually this means making a few sandwiches and adding a bar, some nuts, raisins or filling up a hot water thermos for a quick powdered chanterelle soup on the trail.
What is a typical dinner like?
A typical dinner on this trip might be something pasta based, but could also be something more Swedish such as potatoes, meatballs and lingonberry jam. Usually we start with some crackers or dried meat and then have a simple dessert. Sometimes this could be just some chocolate, a local cheese or a panna cotta or lemon mousse.
Who cooks the food?
We cook it together. It's very social and actually a nice thing to do in the evening in the candle light. This also means we have to be careful of hygiene, something that the guide will walk through by the first evening. We and the huts make sure there are plenty of possibilities to wash our hands and there are also alcoholic hand sanitizers. And... if you are lucky the guide will take care of the dishes while you lean back after a day of mountain impressions.
What are some of the guide's highlights during the trip?
I have to say that I love the evenings. When things quiet down and the impressions of the day sink in and I start to contemplate about life. This can be after the dinner when the day is done, perhaps when the candle flicks, or hearing a heavy rain fall on the metal roof. Another common situation is standing outside the hut in the evening, brushing the teeth and gazing towards the stars on the lookout for Northern lights. I view this as how a good movie needs to have some drama, action or "high pace" but equally needs those slower moments for reflection and insights.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
5.0
(7)
Mountain Leader
Some say they started with their outdoor adventures at a certain stage in life - I simply never stopped. A childhood spent outdoors led me to the career of guiding. 3 years of education in Vadstena with the Leadership and Outdoor program and another 1½ years to become a Wilderness and Adventure guide at Campus Åre.
Since 2013 I have been self-employed and working as a freelance mountain leader all over Scandinavia and I am happy to call it my home. I have also made sure to invest in further education such as 80 hours first aid training - Wilderness First Responder (NOLS), avalanche course PRO 2 through SVELAV and I carry the National Award for Mountain Leaders to mention a few.
On top of this, I make sure to put my skills to good use as a Chairman of the Swedish Mountain Leader Organisation, a delegate to UIMLA, and as a board member of the Mountain Safety Council of Sweden. I am also helping the Industry Organisation of Sustainable Snowmobile Tourism as an expert member in their task of building a guide training. Previous work also includes training Mountain Leaders and setting up operation guidelines and safety plans for other guiding companies.
My biggest passion is helping others access wild places and showing them the best parts of outdoor adventure. I will be happy to share my knowledge and guide you especially in the Scandinavian Mountain Range which stretches 1700 kilometers on the border between Sweden and Norway.
Languages
Norwegian | Swedish | English
Certificates
UIMLA | SFLO
Andrew
5
Thank you for giving us such a great 3 days. Lots of wonderful memories made which is exactly what we wanted. We really appreciated our guide and felt in very good hands.
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