Värmlandsleder

Hovfjällsrundan

Hovfjällsrundan trail takes you all round the nature reserve. You will enjoy splendid views from Björnåsen in the east and pass several tarns. At Vadjebergen, the trail passes through an enchanting ancient forest where the spruces are overgrown with a pale green lichen. Here some parts of the trail are very steep. The picnic area at Råkullstjärn exudes a quiet and enchanting tranquillity. In the western part nature is varied with mires, rocky ground with pine trees and spruce forests. The meadows at Bondfugestorp are mown each year, to preserve meadow flora. If you have any energy left when you get back, head to the viewing tower at the top of Hovfjället.

Råkullsrundan, Hovfjället

Råkullsrundan trail pass the top of Mount Hovfjället, with the viewing tower. The trail continues through an ancient natural forest. The terrain changes from rocky pine forest to mires and spruce forests. If you’re lucky you may spot wood grouse or black grouse that thrive in the area. Mount Råkullsberg boasts the finest views in the nature reserve. There are tranquil picnic areas at Baggtjärn and Råkullstjärn. Bondfugestorp is an old smallholding that dates from the late 19th Century. It now offers shelter on the trail and a nice picnic area. You are welcome to use a fireplace either inside or outside the cabin. The meadows at Bondfugestorp are mown each year, to preserve meadow flora.

Torprundan, Hovfjället

Torprundan is the shortest trail in Hovfjället Nature reserve. The trail starts uphill to the top of Mount Hovfjället. From the viewing tower, on the ski slope, you will enjoy views that extend for miles. The trail led you through pine forests on rocky ground, across extensive mires and further in to a spruce forest. At the halfway point you’ll find Bondfugestorp, a cabin where you can take a break. You are welcome to use the fireplaces either inside or outside the cabin. The meadows at Bondfugestorp are mown each year, to preserve meadow flora. Along the Torprundan trail you’ll find signs where you can learn more about the nature and history of Hovfjället.

Prästöleden

The trail Prästöleden starts on Linsön where you will find large grazing pastures. You can clearly see the tree-covered moraine ridges which run through the landscape. They were created when the inland ice melted. Stop by Linsöstugan, a cabin open to public. The trail continues west to Prästön, with lush deciduous forests. In the northern part of Prästön is a small viewing tower where you get a fine view over this bay of Lake Vänern. The whole area is part of Nötön-Åråsviken Nature reserve. The trail passes for the most part  through pastures with grazing cows. The animals can be very curious. Don’t bring dogs.

Nötöleden

The trail Nötöleden passes through a very ancient landscape. Open farmland is surrounded by grazing pastures with old spreading oak trees. If you continue eastward, you came to Österön. Lush, leafy groves of oak, beech and hazel are exciting environments with a whole different flora and fauna to the open landscape. Hästudden is a picnic area with lovely views over Lake Vänern. Also look at the characteristic moraines that appears as ridges in the landscape. The whole area is part of Nötön-Åråsviken Nature Reserve. If you combine the two trails Nötöleden and Arskagsleden, you can walk 13 km in total. This trail does not pass through areas with grazing animals.

Arskagsleden

The trail Arskagsleden takes you through a landscape with pastures and old oaks. You walk through nice meadows and forests with many deciduous trees. At Arskagsudde, the far south of the peninsula, you have a nice view over Åråsviken, a bay area of Lake Vänern. The entire area is protected as a nature reserve, Nötön-Åråsviken. The trail runs, to a large part, through pastures with grazing cows. The animals can be very curious. Show consideration, it is the cows that keep the landscape open. Don’t bring dogs. If you combine the two trails, Arskagsleden and Nötöleden, you can do a 13 km walk.

Kycklingleden

Kycklingleden, The Chicken Trail, winds along Lake Vänern, through a rare hazel grove, up to the mountain, and down again through the unusual Chicken Dale where 38 rare species of plants and animals have been identified. You pass a site where the largest forest fire in over 50 years ravaged an area of 2 km² in 2004. From the picnic area on the mountain top you have a nice view over lake Vänern, the largest lake in Western Europe, measuring 5 650 km². Lake Vänern contains the biggest freshwater archipelago in Europe with more than 22 000 islands and islets.

Ängenleden

Ängenleden is a trail that runs around Lake Ängsjön. You can start your hike from several points and there are numerous picnic areas. There are significant differences in height and the elevation affords fantastic views. The trail runs through forest and cultural landscapes. The meadow flora in some places is living cultural evidence of former inhabitants’ toils with a scythe. There have been Finnish settlements, crofters and a mountain pasture system in the area. There is a chance of spotting European elk, roe deer and capercaillie. You can walk a shorter circular walk if you walk the trail away and then take the gravel road back. The gravel road runs along the lake.

Järnleden Bergsjötorpet – Niklasdam Return

Walk along Count Karl’s historic transport route for iron. Värmlands Bergslag has played in important role in the development of Sweden via iron ore mining, iron works, shipments to Lake Vänern and onwards to the rest of the world. The Järnleden iron trail starts with a forest path. After a few kilometres you will reach a rest point by a lake. You will pass the remains of an old charcoal burner’s hut and a 200 m footbridge at Bromossen. There are also traces of an earlier English garden on the edge of the manor house area. Niklasdam Garden has a pelargonium museum and café that is open in summer. After visiting Niklasdam, follow the same path back to Bergsjötorpet.

Järnleden Hytte – Bergsjötorpet

Tread historic ground where Duke Karl created a transport route for iron. Värmlands Bergslag and the iron industry have played an important role in the development of Sweden. The iron was shipped to Lake Vänern and from there to the rest of the world. The trail takes you along the old shipping route, the Norsbäcken Canal, that was opened in the 1630s. The canal runs into Lake Bergsjön. In the farming landscape just before Bergsjötorpet look out for numerous magnificent oak trees. This is an easy trail with gravel and forest paths. The hill at Varrvikshöjden is a challenge, that calls for a bit more energy. At the starting point at Bergsjötorpet you can leave the Järnleden trail and follow the gravel path to the bus stop along the Rv26. The entire Hytte-Bergsjötorp walk, there and back is 10 km.

Järnleden

Järnleden (The Iron trail) includes stretches that have been used since the 17th Century. It was the route taken by the first iron shipments from Bergslagen to Lake Vänern, with pack animals or sledges. Kristinehamn was the iron exporting centre of Bergslagen. Look out for the information signs along the route that describe life in the age of iron. Järnleden passes through a varied landscape, past meres, bogs, through woods, grazing land and along the old national highway. During the walk, you will pass two former iron works, a manor house, an ancient fort from the iron age and a distinctive chapel at Östervik.

7-torpsleden

7-torpsleden in Lekvattnet has very old roots. The trail primarily follows old pathways created by Finnish migrants who settled in the forest areas here. The trail passes seven farms, all with Finnish origins. Along the way you cross the border between Norway and Sweden. Two farms are on the Norwegian side of the border. During World War Two, the paths were also an escape route from Norway. Ritamäki finngård is probably the best preserved Finnish migrant farm in Finnskogen. The meadowland at Ritamäki is maintained as a protected nature reserve.

Halgåledens strövslinga

Brattfallet is a 10 metre waterfall, that drops into a deep ravine. Halgån Canyon is spanned by a beautiful, high old stone bridge. There is also a stone beach at Brattfallet that dates from the log driving age. Halgåledens strövslinga follows an old packhorse route upstream along the river to an old log driving dam. The trail passes through airy woods and bouldered terrain. The pine tree forest is pleasant to wander through. Approx. 500 metres of the trail is suitable for wheelchair users and buggies. The walk can be combined with Halgåleden.

Halgåleden at Brattfallet

Brattfallet is a 10 metre waterfall, that drops into a deep ravine. The Brattfallet and Halgån Canyon has always been a visitor attraction. The Canyon is spanned by a beautiful, high old stone bridge. The effect of the Halgån, Vångan and Klarälven rivers on the landscape is of marked geological interest. Halgåleden demonstrates how the power of nature has shaped the landscape from the ice age to the present day. Fresh landslides and avalanches are an every year occurrence. Look out for signs explaining about the geological processes and cultural heritage sites. Fine views over the Klarälvdalen river. The 122 metre ascent makes the trail difficult. Halgåleden can be combined with Halgåledens strövslinga.

 

Sundsbergsleden

Sundsbergsleden offers attractive views across Fryksdalen from Klövberget, enchanting ancient woods and a dam. The ground is carpeted by Anemone hepatica in the spring, a stunning sight. The chalky ground makes for unusually rich flora and fauna. For instance, seven of the eight native species of woodpecker are found in the area. Sundsbergsleden is in the Sundsberg recreation area, within walking distance of Sunne town centre. The trail has several steep slopes.

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