BYBOTIPS

Where is the best place to ski? Which snowmobile trails offer the best experience? Where do those in the know cycle? And which hikes are the most magnificent? Who knows best if not the people who live here!

Village living tip from Ida Klockervold Ljusnedal
Anåfjällsrundan is nothing like that I think. It's a bit of a climb in the beginning with the uphill climb up to the tree line but then the loop up there is incredibly beautiful. In addition, there is a warming hut in bad weather and a windbreak where the sun is perfect for a break. If you want, you can continue a bit up towards the mountain peaks Gråstöten or Anåfjällstoppen untracked or on the track when it allows.

Village living tip from Eva Ganell, Funäsdalen
It depends so much on the time of season and the weather what is best for the day and it is that choice that makes Funäsfjällen so unique.
At the beginning of the ski season, it's wonderful to ski the Mittåkläpps trail (#106) and get up above the tree line despite the tough uphill that never ends.
On a cold January day when it is -25 degrees down by the lake in Funäsdalen I go up to the 8 km track in Fjällnäs (#514) where it is usually only single digit degrees and sun above the cold clouds in the valley.
In the spring season, when the evenings are longer and you can go for a ride after work, the trail from Hållan to Malmbäcksstugan or Lillåsslingan (#500).

Village living tip from Lars Nelson, with an Olympic gold medal to his name
One of my favourite hikes, which I do regularly in the spring, is Bruksvallarna - Ramundberget. Bruksvallarna via Mittåkläppsvägen on the way up and Ösjödalen on the way back. Basically the same route as the race course at Fjälltopploppet which runs at the end of April.
It's a demanding hike measuring about 27 kilometres and 675 metres in altitude, but if you want to save a bit of energy, you can take the lift up Ramundberget.

Village living tip from Thomas Olsson, Tännäs
A favourite trip for me is to go from Hållan to Tännäs on a fine spring winter day, then you have the sun in your face and almost always a light tailwind. When you have passed Lillåsslingan and come down to the marshes, you can sometimes be alone for several kilometres, which creates a wonderful feeling of wilderness. Many people turn around at the resting hut Klyfttjärn but if you have the opportunity, continue all the way to Tännäs and it will be about 21 km of riding where the track at the end sweeps down over the fields with a wonderful view of the mountain village of Tännäs to land down at the church.

Village living tips from Sara Öhman, Funäsdalen
Put on the sun cream, dress in several layers. Then ski Svalåtjärn-Hållan-Funäsdalen. A perfect enjoyment trip, which may take all day, with more downhill than uphill. Recommend bringing your own coffee and digging a sun pit by Lake Anderssjön, but if you want to go easy, you pass both Andersborg and Malmbäcksstugan on the trip.

Village living tip from Tommy Söder
I would recommend going over Skenörsfjället to Gröndalen to go straight through the free skiing area (from the wind shelter towards Långbrottleden). To then go to Kariknallen and have a coffee.

Village living tips from Lillemor Rolf and Kjell Eriksson, Bruksvallarna
One of our favourite snowmobile trips is the trail over Kölen and Vallarfjället. The destination is usually Djuptjärn and ice fishing, and the char are usually on the prowl. We almost always stop at the highest point and admire the view of Helags, Sylarna, Skarvarna, Mittåkläppen etc, beautiful snow-capped peaks in all directions. Staying in a tent gives an extra nature experience to the fishing and snowmobile trip.

Village living tip from Johan Hjort, Ljusnedal
One of my favourite short trips is my fika tour. From Ljusnedal towards Andersborg with a waffle stop, then on to Kariknallen for a coffee and maybe a sweet, then Bruksvallarna and home to Ljusnedal.
A longer favourite trip is Ljusnedal, Lillfjället, Medskogen, Råndalen, Lofsdalen via Högvålen, Tännäs and home. If you go at the right time in the morning, with a lunch stop in Lofsdalen you can go with the sun in your face all the way.
Otherwise, I recommend all tours that include Helags. I like to go snowmobiling alone, mostly to get out and feel the beauty and power of nature.
A tip for everyone, keep to the right and as my dad said "Drive a little bit with your head too and only with your head".

Village living tip from Jennie Modd, Funäsdalen
My tip is to pack some firewood, food and a fishing rod and take the snowmobile up to Acktjärn. When the sun is not shining so brightly in the village, you catch the evening sun in a completely different way up there. Take the opportunity to make a fire, tinker a little and cook in a lovely environment. Usually no people and in the evening there is usually also good fish.

Village living tip from Anna Rindborg, Funäsdalen
330: Kåvanrundan, 331: Ljusnanturen and 332: Röstbergsleden.
Three different trails that I like to put together into one. A really varied tour both in terms of difficulty and terrain. The flow feeling you get along Ljusnan is unbeatable and I like to stop to cool off with a dip. Fun downhill run down to Ljusnedal and a challenging climb up Röstberget again with reward in the form of magnificent views of Skarvarna, Anåfjället and Funäsdalsberget. If you want to make it extra luxurious, slide down to the village and have a coffee at Nya Jonssons or Ediths. 

Village living tip from Stig and Eila Brännström, Messlingen
We would like to recommend Stadsårundan 230 and Ruvallsrundan 231, which you can experience from the bicycle saddle in Messlingen. We start from the car park between the restaurant and the shop in Baggården. These cycle routes wind along forest paths, moorland tracks, footbridges and old village paths with slightly hilly terrain. Stadsårundan is somewhat easier and Ruvallsrundan more challenging.
The bridge over Stadsån that is crossed is a nice place for coffee and why not a cooling dip in the puddles just below the bridge. Beaver hut as well, a shelter located next to Stadsån with barbecue area and opportunities to take a perhaps much-needed dip, we bring out thermos with accessories here.

Village living tip from Sarah Thorén, Funäsdalen
At least once a summer I do this long ride. It should be on every mountain biker's bucket list if I had my way. A ride with extra everything - and a little more if you want!
As we live in Funäsdalen, the tour starts early in the morning by rolling through the village and turning into Vivallsvägen (Trail 2). Here we start with a nice pedalling along an old road in light slush. It will be a good warm-up on the way up to Vivallen. Eventually the road turns into a super lovely and easy singletrack over the mountain towards Järvåsflon and then further flow down towards Flon and Bruksvallarna. Here you can just enjoy really nice mountain biking.
After Flon we turn left and continue up towards Bruksvallarna. Take the opportunity to reload for many altitude metres, before we turn right up towards Mittåkläppsvägen (Led 141) Now it gets really tough, but not difficult. Now awaits 10 km uphill on gravel road, in magnificent views with views of lakes, Helagsmassivet, Skarsfjället, Ramundberget and of course beautiful Mittåkläppen.
Now we are approaching the first stop - in Djupdalsvallen there will be Våffla and kokkaffe. Yes, it's a must. Period. Remember to fill the water bottle in the cold cellar just outside the waffle factory before you pedal on towards Gruvorna (Led 145) From here it is a singetrack that is sometimes both narrow and stony and slightly uphill before you reach the high mountain and the wonderful view that just has to be experienced on site. Here we always stop for a while and enjoy the views. At the historic mines where iron and copper ore was mined in the 18th century, there is much to read.
Back towards Mittåkläppsvägen we pass several open-cast mines and well-preserved remnants of mining. Here it becomes lightly trodden on magically nice and wide path (Trail 144). Once we reach Fålåtjärn and Mittåkläppsvägen, we roll down towards the village again and pat ourselves on the back. Partly because we have managed all these altitude metres over two mountains, but also that we have filled up the experience account considerably. After the boom we reach my favourite café ZeLe Café. Crazy cosy, nice and homemade of course!
We take the road back home to Funäs, which is a combination of several different cycle routes, making Funäsfjällen a cycling paradise for everyone, regardless of level and how long or difficult you want to cycle!

Village living tip from Malin Stang, Tänndalen
My favourite ride is to combine 537 Rappleden and 538 Östra Kroktjärn to get a great mix of technical trails, trail biking and to finish with a grassy flowy ride home along Rappleden.
Feel free to bring some coffee in your backpack and enjoy the views when you have reached the top of the mountain and climbed all the altitude metres. Of course, it's OK to walk up the hill from Fjällnäs and if you aim to cycle the whole hill: don't forget to downshift so that your legs are fresh when the fun begins!  
If the weather is bad or you're tired, you can just skip Östra Kroktjärn and stay among the trees on Rappleden.  

Village living tip from Sara Jacobsson Funäsdalen, who often cycles with Malin Bäckström
We usually start at IP and take Kåvanrundan, it is easy to ride the first bit after you have ridden Funduro down and becomes a perfect warm-up before turning and cycling back along Ljusnan. It is both messy and flowy which is great fun!
When we arrive at the main road again, we cycle up the hill to the bridge and at the beginning of the bridge we turn down to the right to cycle Ljusnanuren. This tour is also both tricky and fun, some slightly more difficult passages with large stones, roots and a bridge with Ljusnan on one side and stream on the other, so far we have crossed dry-shod! We turn around at the canoe pick-up point and cycle back towards IP. The last bit before we arrive, we choose either Funduro's way up which is a little easier to drive and if we are up to it, we take the cracker hill straight up before we get back to the start at IP!

Village living tip from Marie Klockervold, Ljusnedal
Gold tour 250 Rock painting round
Especially if you have seen the rock paintings a few times and are short of time, my tip is to walk the Rock Painting Trail clockwise, in the opposite direction to the signposts, if you want to shorten the tour. Note that along the first stretch there may be oncoming bikes due to the combined hiking / cycling trail.
Once you reach the Fish Hole Pit, don't miss following the path down through the boulders to the small pond where the dwarf crop has lived for thousands of years. After a coffee break at the pond, climb up to the west side of the canyon and follow it a bit upwards to get an even more impressive view up and down the canyon. Turn back and follow the signposted trail to Evagraven.
If you have time and energy, you can walk around the rock paintings, otherwise take the shortcut and follow the eastern side of the Evagraven on the trail to the Ruvallen car park. In September, the ripreis glows in all shades of red along the Evagraven.

Village living tip from Ida Siggelin, Bruksvallarna
Gold tour 350 Anåfjället
The variety of tours and sights is what I appreciate about Funäsfjällen. This tour has a little more challenge but the reward when you start to reach the top is worth everything! Feel free to walk with poles. You quickly get up on the bare mountain and its magical world. Feels almost like walking on the moon and its rocky "waves" make this tour unique.
My tip is to visit the summit more towards the afternoon/evening when the sun starts to set. (But don't go down when it's already dark). The play of light and the view are among the most beautiful there is. The best thing about this hike is that almost at the top there is the pond Ånnfjällstjärnen at 1106 metres above sea level, where you can take a dip after the steep climb up. Another tip is to go up to Ånnfjällstoppen at 1301 m. Since there are no higher peaks nearby, the view from here is absolutely fantastic. 

Village living tip from Klas Ernehult, Tänndalen
I like running, preferably on rocky paths in forests and on mountains. Trail running as the modern ones say and then Guldtur 559 Malmagsvålen is like cut and cut for me. A winding path that never gets boring. Through birch forest and past shiny lakes. Halfway the forest becomes sparser and there I glimpse the cottage at the top where the reward awaits in the form of a large coffee table with a view of everything. A piece of chocolate from the backpack and the moment is complete.
Then further down into the forest, the path goes up and down all the time. After Röstvallen, the trail follows the cross-country track for a while and then joins the same path I followed on the way up.
If I feel strong, I extend the round with Guldtur 560 Östra Kroktjärn when I get to the junction where it turns up the mountain. Open views and nice trails. I like to end the tour with a bath in Malmagen.

Village living tip from Maja Rönnblad, Funäsdalen
Favourite trip: Livsäterån (no 550)
Livsäterån is an easy hike that suits everyone, young and old, fit and tired. (I've even walked it with crutches.) Magical views all the way because you end up almost directly on the bare mountain.
You pass a small stream that is a perfect place for a drink break, a bowl of cold mountain water is almost a must on a trip. When you reach the Livsäterån river, you can take a refreshing dip. There are many good places to sit and have a coffee or cook lunch, as it's not such a long trip you can carry something extra tasty with you.

It is Västra Härjedalens Bygdesamrådsgrupp - the seven village organisations in Funäsfjällen that manage the Gold and Fun Tours.