Stensdalsstugan vålådalen
Stensdalsstugan (14 km) Just nedanför Lillstensdalsfjällets karaktäristiska ”näsa” finns en av Jämtlandsfjällens vackraste stugplatser. Many classic mountain tours start from Vålådalen, such as the shorter Blanktjärnsrundan, Ottfjällsturen, Pyramiderna and Kyrksten. Vålådalen is also a perfect starting point for multi-day trips to mountain huts such as Stensdalen, Vålåstugorna and Lunndörrsstugan.
Most of the trails in the Vålådal area run partly within the Vålådal nature reserve. From May , new rules will apply and if you are going to the reserve, you need to be aware of the rules! There are areas where you are only allowed to make fires in the fireplaces that are available, and then with your own firewood or sometimes firewood that is available to carry from the trailhead.
You are still allowed to camp and stay overnight in almost all of the reserve, but there are some areas where it is prohibited for nature conservation reasons. Cycling is allowed along specially marked trails, part of the year. More info can be found at: County Administrative Board of Jämtland. At the Nipan rest area you have wonderful views. It is located high above Vålån and faces Ottfjället, Rekdalen and Kyrksten.
Leave the trail center towards Lunndörrstugan and turn right after the suspension bridge. After about 1 km you reach the wind shelter where you can sit down and just feel the peace, or why not pick up the coffee thermos! One of these cabins was later converted into this shelter, which still stands on the site.
Follow the trail up or walk Elljusspåret backwards for about m and then turn left onto Intervallspåret. The shelter is on the right about 1 km up the road. At the end of Ottfjällsvägen, above the tree line, is Kläppen. A small peak overlooking a large part of the Jämtland mountains. Follow the trail from the mountain station or walk Elljusspåret backwards m, turn left on Intervallspåret Ottfjällsvägen and follow it all the way up.
The map is called Z53 and is available in the Mountain Station shop. The tour starts at the trail center and follows the trail towards Stensdalen. Then follow the signs to Nulltjärn. A nice and easy walk in the birch forest. The beach has a shelter and barbecue area. You can walk back the same way or turn off m through the forest and follow the mile trail home. A true classic.
STF Stensdalen Mountain cabin
You walk over the flower-rich Matskålsängarna, over bogs and through birch and spruce forests. You make your way up the high gravel ridges and are greeted by the clear turquoise waters of the Blanktjärn. Beyond the treetops, you can see the bare mountain spreading out. Along the way is the Nipan rest area with magnificent views of Vålån. You choose whether you want to hike clockwise or counterclockwise, the trail is easy to follow in both directions and you come back to the same starting point at the Vålådalen trail center.
From Vålådalen it is possible to climb one of the Ottfjället peaks. You choose how you start the tour. Follow the marked trails from the mountain station, or walk Elljusspåret backwards for about m and turn left onto Intervallspåret Ottfjällsvägen. There are trails to Östra Ottfjällstoppen, but remember to bring a map. A mountain map of the area can be bought in the Mountain Station shop.
Vålåstugan - Stensdalen
The East summit is about 6 km away and is the highest at 1, m. The West summit is slightly lower and is about 7 km away. Take the marked trail or Intervallspåret Ottfjällsvägen up Ottfjället and then follow the signs to Östra Vålådalen. The tour starts in the birch forest but quickly takes you up to the bare mountain. After a few kilometers, the trail leads back down into the forest.
Once down in Östra Vålådalen, you can take a break with a waffle at Vålågården. From here you can follow trail along Vålån back to Vålådalen Mountain Station. Ask the staff at Vålågården and they will show you.