Sweden Holidays | Wilderness Road Accomodation
The Wilderness Road
The beautiful Vildmarksvägen is Sweden’s highest paved road. The most famous stretch goes over the Stekenjokk plateau between Lapland and Jämtland. Here you go by car up on Kalfjällen, surrounded by mountain peaks and beautiful expanses. The easy accessibility means that you can have the experience of mountain hiking without even leaving the car!
The actual stretch over Stekenjokk is about 20 kilometers and only a small part of the Vildmarksvägen which is a total of 500 kilometers, and there is much more to discover.
Vildmarksvägen is asphalted all the way around, while some detours – such as for example to Hällingsåfallet or Marsliden – are on dirt roads.
The wilderness road starts in the south at the E45 in Strömsund and in the north in Vilhelmina. We are located approximately 50 km from Strömsund, on the way to Gäddede.
Due to the large amounts of snow on the Stekenjokk stretch in the wintermonths, that part of the Vildmarksvägen is closed between 15 Oktober and 6 June.
Hällingsåfallet
The 42 meter high Hällingsåwaterfall is a really powerful experience! You can go all the way to the falls by car, but rather stop at the parking lot about 1.5 kilometers before you reach the waterfall and take the 2,5 kilometer hike through the canyon.
The path goes along the Hällingsån and up Sweden’s largest canyon. Right at the start of the canyon, there is an incredibly beautiful place to swim. The hike can be diffucult at parts but the views (when you get to the canyon) are magnificent.
When the sun is out and shining on the waterfall, it is not uncommon to see a beautiful rainbow. Thanks to the high humidity around the waterfall, rare lichens and mosses grow here on the ravine slopes around the falls. For those interested in birds, buzzards and peregrine falcons nest in the crevices found in the slopes down towards the river.
Stekenjokk
Without a doubt the most famous stretch of the Wilderness Route is the 20 kilometer drive through the Stekenjokk Plateau. Special regulations apply to this unique and beautiful landscape, because it is both a bird protection area and a Sámi cultural heritage landscape.
A place where the Sámi herd and care for their reindeer as they have done for thousands of years. The Sámi name for Stekenjokk is ‘Stihken’, which means “the place where the reindeer live”.
Here the reindeer can graze undisturbed; visitors should be careful not to get too close, especially during the spring and early summer calving season.
Bjurälven
The Bjurälven nature reserve has a very unique environment and is really recommended for those who are interested in nature and like to hike. An underground river has contributed to the creation of the karst landscape, a name given to the special landscape that forms on limestone mountains with completely or partially underground watercourses. Bjurälven’s water in combination with the carbon dioxide of the air has dissolved the limestone so that caves, underground channels and other peculiar rock formations have formed.
Some highlights are Dolinsjön, Blinda dalen and the Colosseum. The walk around is a total of 12 kilometers. The spectacular part begins after 3 kilometers when you arrive at the Lillälven Rasstuga, where there is a fireplace, dass and garbage can. The hike is hilly but well organized with many sturdy stairs. Don’t miss swimming in the waterfall below the rest house.
Trappstegsforsen
The Trappstegsforsen is a given stop for everyone who rides the Vildmarksvägen. It is located 5 kilometers south of Saxnäs and is even visible from the road.
Make a stop here and just stand and listen to the rushing water. A powerful feeling that is enhanced by the untouched environment. Trappstegsforsen is a waterfall shaped into a staircase where Kultsjön’s water is thrown down the natural steps. It stretches hundreds of meters and the rich stock of char and trout in the rapids also attracts those interested in fishing.
There is a grillhut that serves good burgers and waffles, open in the summer months.
Ankarede church town
A visit to Ankarede Kyrkstad is a trip back in time. You can expect a unique experience, filled with authentic cultural elements, fascinating historical insights and unbeatable scenic views. Ankarede is the only Sami church town in Jämtland still in use. There are around thirty wooden huts, a few church cottages, a small museum and a cozy cafe (open in the summer months).
It has long been a gathering and meeting place for Sami people in northern Jämtland. In the past, reindeer and reindeer herders from Frostviken passed here on their way between summer and winter pastures. Even today, Ankarede is a meeting place, with events organised around Christmas and Midsommer.
There are many beautiful hiking trails that start from here.
