‘The Jämtland Triangle’, this peculiar name was given to a 46 km hike in Sweden’s Jamtland County. The core (or vertices) of this Triangle are STF mountain stations: Storulvån Fjallstation, Sylarna Fjallstation and Blåhammaren Fjallstation. The Jamtland Triangle is a very popular hike, well known amongst Swedes and some Norwegians, but it seems that it hasn’t yet been discovered by any other nationalities!
If you visit Sweden on a hiking trip, but don’t t have enough time to tackle Kungsleden trail, the Triangle can be a perfect option for you! This classic hike, provides a great hut-to-hut experience and has many characteristics of Swedish Lapland. We believe it would make a fine introduction to long distance and multi day hikes in Swedish wilderness.
We came across this hike while searching for walking ideas in Jämtland, which VERY WRONGLY we imagined to be uninteresting at first. But to be fair, we hadn’t known anything about this part of Sweden! While driving towards STF Storulvan (the ‘triangle’s starting point), we already knew that our assumptions were totally incorrect, and we were going to love hiking The Jämtland Triangle!
Also, we were very surprised to learn that Jamtland area is a ‘reindeer land’, which means Sami people live and work there. The landscape, reindeer, foliage and trees, architecture and presence of indigenous Sami strongly reminded us of Lapland.
Continue reading to learn more about The Jamtland Triangle hike in Sweden and, just like us, fall in love with the region!
THE JÄMTLAND TRIANGLE – AMAZING 3 DAY HIKE IN SWEDEN
- Heighest point: Blahammaren Fjallstation 1086 masl
- Total time: 3 days
- Total distance: 46 km
- Parking: large car park at Storulvan mountain station (charge applies), facilities available
- Level of difficulty: 2/5 – straight forward hike along valleys and vast open spaces, good mobile network coverage
- Jamtland Triangle weather: weather forecast for Blahammaren
How to get to STF Storulvån Fjällstation, the triangle’s starting point
STF Storulvan is located 17 km south of Enafors, 34 km from Storlien, 60 km from Åre and 160 km from the nearest city, Östersund. Driving along main road E14 take a turn in Enafors, signposted to Handöl. After about 5 km turn right into a small road towards STF Storulvan. Continue for another 11 km, the road ends at Storulvån Fjällstation.
It’s a secluded mountain station, easiest accessible by car. Conveniently, the STF station can also be reached by public transport: nearest train station is located in Enafors and journey can be continued by a shuttle bus which also serves nearby villages. Detailed bus information and timetable can be found HERE.
Our experience hiking The Jämtland Triangle in Sweden
I think, The Jämtland Triangle is best described as easy/medium hike, it would make a great introduction for those who haven’t completed any multi day hikes yet, but would love to try one. It’s a popular route so (most likely) you won’t be on your own, there is a good mobile network coverage and additional emergency huts (roughly half way between mountain stations). Also, it’s your own choice whether to hike ‘light’ – cater and sleep in the mountain stations along the way; or whether to be more adventurous and carry a tent and all supplies for this 3 day hike.
To have more freedom and flexibility, we opted for the latter, therefore we carried food and a tent, as well as a small gas stove. Hence, we were totally independent from STF stations and had the flexibility to hike at our own pace.
The Jamtland Triangle starts at STF Storulvån Fjällstation. This is a large, very modern and convenient mountain station. It offers a shower and sauna (which we thoroughly enjoyed after the hike!), as well as hearty meals; we especially enjoyed its delicious breakfast (waffles!).
The trail is marked, signposted, well trodden and easy to navigate. It can be followed either clockwise or anticlockwise, therefore it is completely up to you whether you prefer to start the hike with the initial walk of 13 km to Blahammarens Fjallstation or 16 km to Sylarna.
As we set off in the afternoon, we decided that STF Blahammarens will be our first destination; so we took it easy and only had to walk 13 km on the first day.
Day 1: Hiking from STF Storulvån Fjällstation to STF Blahammarens Fjallstation, 13km
The Jamtland Triangle trail head can be found behind Storulvan mountain station. Once you cross the bridge you’ll be on the trail already! At first, path goes through the forest and only after the initial 1.5 km it comes to a fork, where we had to pick our route: right-going to STF Blahammaren, left-going towards STF Sylarna.
We turned right and continued walking along a rocky path through the forest, until we reached an open plateau. From then on, we walked over vast open spaces.
The first landmark was an emergency shelter at Ulvåtjärn, exactly half way between Storulvan and Blahammaren mountain stations. Despite being only a small wooden hut, it was a truly great place to have a break! Most importantly, finally we could hide from the wind! Hence we stopped at Ulvatjarn, and as Swedes do, we had mashed potatoes with fried onion for lunch – how classy!
Please note that there is no waste management anymore and YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU! You can dispose of it at mountain stations.
With full bellies and rested we set off on the second part of walk to Blahammarens Fjallstation.
The section between Ulvatjarn and STF Blahammaren is very beautiful and picturesque. The path took us along the lake and further, along the stream. It goes gently uphill, and only towards the end we felt that it was a rather long approach. But, by that point we were already near the hut.
First thing we saw in the distance was an aerial and then we saw several buildings of the mountain station. They appeared all of the sadden once we topped a small hill. The view towards fjallstation was really beautiful with lakes on both sides, it had a bit of arctic feel. We also passed a couple of reindeer, grazing lazily. The landscape and wildlife instantly reminded us of Lapland.
We put our bags down and went in search for a suitable camping spot, not too far from the station, so we could go for a beer, and not to close to allow us to have some privacy.
There were already a few tents around, but in general the place didn’t seem too busy… until we entered the mountain station.
First, we saw hundreds of boots in the corridor (walkers are asked to take their boots off when coming inside, in all STF mountain stations throughout the country) and then we heard laughter and people chatting, playing games and sipping drinks. The atmosphere was very relaxed and nice; we instantly became a part of it. For a while we chatted with Norwegian hikers, who arrived to the fjallstation from opposite direction, across hills from Norway.
STF Blahammaren is well known for its restaurant, apparently it offers a very fine dining experience based on traditional and local produce (such as elk/moose and reindeer meat). Sadly we travelled on tight budget and couldn’t try the cuisine. Instead, we had dry food for dinner, in our favourite restaurant – on fresh air!
Day 2: Hiking from STF Blahammaren Fjallstationto STF Sylarna, 19km
This leg of the route is the longest. Hiking the Jamtand Triangle anticlockwise means that majority of this section we walked gently downhill, with only the final 3.5 km of final climb up to Sylarna mountain station. Due to its location STF Blahammaren (the highest located mountain station in Sweden) can be seen from as far as 14 km away.
In the morning, after quick breakfast, accompanied by reindeer wandering around and amongst the tents, we hit the trail again.
The path was very well defined and easy to navigate. First several of kilometres were an easy downhill, but further the trail was a constant ‘ups and downs’ without any difficulties. However, since we walked in vast open space, it was very windy! We passed numerous streams along the way, all suitable for refilling water bottles.
After 8 km we arrived to an emergency shelter at Enkalen, but didn’t stop there, as we fancied a break somewhere near water, so we could spoil ourselves and dip our feet in icy water. By mid day it was hot and we would do anything for a bit of shade… which was nowhere to be found! Sitting in the hot sun, but with feet in cold water was the second best option. We would also gladly swap softshell trousers for something lighter, but the only other pants we had were pyjamas! And so it happened; I didn’t hesitate and in a blink I was already changed into my lovely pyjama trousers! I guess, there’s a first time for everything, even for hitting the trail in nightwear! Ela was so jealous!
Having left the shelter, we walked for another 7 km to the bridge and ‘crossroads’. In order to get to STF Sylarna we had to cross the bridge and walk slightly uphill for another 3.5 km. The other path was a return way to STF Storulvan, which we took the next day.
Once we started the final climb, we passed Gamla Sylen shelter on the left (the old ‘Sylarna’, before the modern mountain station was built), but it was still approximately 3 km towards the fjallstation. All efforts were rewarded with fantastic view to mighty Syl massif, its peaks rough and rocky, with glaciers in between.
Having arrived to STF Sylarna Fjallstation, you’ll have a choice of camping nearby or enjoy comforts of the mountain station, with a restaurant and sauna (also wood-burned sauna!)
Day 3: hiking from STF Sylarna to STF Storulvan, 16km
The final day of The Jamtland Triangle hike started with over 3 km of descent, back to the bridge over Sylalven river and the crossroads; the very same point where we began the climb up to STF Sylarna the day before. Further, we had approximately 13 km of small rolling hills, with some long stretches of wooden planks built to protect marshlands from rushing hiking boots.
Again, exactly half way to STF Storulvan, we passed an emergency shelter, at Spaime.
A couple of words about this hut, as it seriously impressed us. Inside the hut we found a telephone and wood-burn stove, kind of standard equipment of an emergency hut. But what we were stunned to find, was an emergency charging point for mobile devices (all kinds of cables provided!) and an active Wi-Fi point! Now, that’s what we call a proper emergency facility! We were both impressed not only by finding such a helpful spot, but also by the state of it – it was in perfect shape and order. Well done to you, STF, and well done to all passers by for treating the facility with respect!
Just before reaching a long suspended bridge across Lill-Ulvan river, we spotted STF Storulvan in the distance. We still had another 3 km to walk, but the prospect of having a hot shower and sauna gave us wings!
The Jämtland Triangle hiking map
FEELING ADVENTUROUS? FIND OUT HOW TO EXTEND THE HIKE TO 4 OR 5 DAYS!
The Jamtland Triangle is conveniently marked in the vicinity of numerous other hiking trails and mountain station. This gives walkers the flexibility to modify their route, shorten it or extend or even cross the border and include some of Norwegian locations within the hike.
Below we’re giving you a couple of ideas on how to extend The Jamtland Triangle (who would ever want to shorten it!?) and making it a more adventurous hike.
OPTION 1, ADD A HIKE TO STORSYLEN OVER SYLARNA FJALLSTATION / + 1 DAY
The most natural extension of The Jamtland Triangle is including a hike to Storsylen (1762 masl), the highest peak of Syl massif.
Storsylen is the most prominent mountain top, towering over STF Sylarna Fjallstation. It’s a rather popular hike, as many walkers venture to the high mountains while at Sylarna.
Hike from Sylarna mountain station to Storsylen is a full day adventure. The trail is unmarked but well trodden; from STF Sylarna walk towards the river and cross it; you’ll find a path going slightly to the left, follow it. At first you’ll walk over gentle grassy slopes, but soon the terrain will become steeper, rockier and more rugged, only to change into the sea of grey rock further on. The summit of Storsylen is a rocky outcrop (already on the Norwegian side of the border!), with view to a small glacier, over Sylarna and to the Esandsjoen lake on the Norwegian side.
OPTION 2, WALK FROM STF BLAHAMMAREN TO STF SYLARNA THRU NORWAY / +2 DAYS
Another popular variation of The Jamtland Triangle is hiking from STF Blahammaren to STF Sylarna thru Norway, rather than the shortest, 19 km direct trail. How to do that?
- Start the hike at STF Storulvan and hike directly to STF Blahammaren (day 1 total distance: 13 km).
- Walk from STF Blahammaren to south-west, towards Endalen emergency hut near Norwegian border, and cross it. Your days destination is Storerikvollen hut, 7 km further (day 2 total distance: approx 16 km)
- From Storerikvollen hut continue on the Norwegian side of the border, along lake Essandsjoen, to Nedalshytta (day 3 total distance: 23 km)
- The section between Nedalshytta and STF Sylarna is strenuous, as the path meanders between high hills and gains considerable height before reaching Sylarna mountain station (day 4 total distance: 14 km)
- The final day is a mixture of gentle ups-and downs between STF Sylarna and STF Storulvan, your initial starting point (day 5 total distance: 16 km)
Please keep in mind that you’ll be crossing international border with a non-EU country and make sure to have documents with you, especially if you’re accompanied by your four-legged best friend!
Be a responsible hiker!
Sweden has a very liberal approach to wild camping; it is allowed throughout the country, with exception of only several small areas. Also, when staying off-grid, visitors are expected to behave with respect towards the local community as well as wildlife and nature. There are some things that every hiker should be aware of, while hiking and wild camping in Sweden, and these are:
- always take your rubbish with you, as there is no waste management in the wilderness! If you bothered to carry food in a package, why wouldn’t you bother to carry an empty package which is even lighter?
- take extra care while having a live fire – Set up fires in designated places! Be aware that vast open spaces are extremely difficult to control when set alight. Don’t light a bonfire on a windy day, nor on dry bog (it can still be burning underground for days after you finished!).
- don’t disturb the wildlife – grazing reindeer are wild animals and suffer distress when chased either by dogs (always keep them on leash) or ‘close-up hungry’ photographers
- wild swimming and bathing is allowed in rivers, streams and lakes, but use your best judgement when enjoying them; are you polluting an important source of drinking water for others? If you think you might, why not fill up a bottle and use this water to refresh yourself a bit further from the stream/lake?
