Mushrooms and Berries
During the summer and fall months (late) july, august and september you can collect blueberries, mountain cranberries, raspberries and cloudberries on your hikes. These typical northern berries ripen to different times.
Depending on the weather and humidity, mushrooms will appear from the end of July on. The birch boletes grows on a widespread area, but also penny buns are found quite often. Later in fall, the funnel chanterelles will sprout. (Yellow) chanterelles are rather rare at our altitude and can usually only be found above 800 m.
Forest raspberries
Blueberries in fall
Cloudberries in the swamp
Birch boletes
Yellowfoots
Chanterelles
Cloudberries (also known as nordic berries) are very rare in Central Europe, and in Sweden they are considered the gold of the north. They are the symbol of Lapland. The berry is rich in vitamin C and only grows in swampy areas. Cloudberries are often served with waffles and whipped cream.
You can find edible mushrooms in Jämtland including Sheep Polypore (Albatrellus ovinus), Sweet Tooth (Hydnum repandum), Olive Wax Cap (Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus), Pine Bolete (Boletus pinophilus), Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus) or Yellowfoot (Craterellus tubaeformis).
Canoe and kayak
We recommend our holiday home at the lake as a starting point for boat tours. There you can rent a canoe and spend a few hours active on the lake or go fishing.
We have 1-2 canoes (2 and 4 person canoes) available for rent. The rent is 25 euros per day including life jackets if required.
You can also use your own canoe or kayak to paddle in this area. The lake at our log cabin, the large river Ljungan or any other lake in the wider area offer great paddling opportunities.
Rent a boat
Paddling with a child
River Ljungan
Upstream
Canoe with 3 people
Boat dock
To the water lilies
Calm water
Clear water
Fishing
The fishing areas around Galå Fjällgård are characterised by a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Rivers such as the Ljungan, Arån, Lövan, Galån and Aloppan, as well as smaller brooks and over 1,000 hectares of lakes of various sizes, ensure there’s never a dull moment.
The most common fish include trout (brown trout and rainbow trout), grayling and Arctic char (including brook char). Pike, perch, whitefish and burbot are also native to the area.
By the way, the trout is considered the "landscape fish" of Jämtland.
The neighbourhood is home to the popular fishing areas of Börtnan FVOF (Börtnan "East") and Börtnans Västra KFO (Börtnan "West"), as well as the extensive state-owned waters in the mountains of the Tåssåsen Sami village.
Not far away is also the fishing area of Skålan FVO, located in the direction of Åsarna, where also the Lakehouse ist located.
Boat hire
Fly fishing on the Ljungan
Fishing for grayling in Sweden
Fishing in the Fjäll
Ice fishing in Jämtland
Fishing success with pike
Fishing for grayling and trout is especially popular in the River Ljungan. The Ljungan originates slightly east of the Sylarna massif, near Jämtland’s highest mountains (Helags and Sylarna). With its cold and oxygen-rich waters, it is one of the best fishing rivers in Sweden. In fact, Börtnan holds the world record with a caught trout weighing 14 kg!
Some rapids sections of the Ljungan are reserved for fly fishers, whilst on other stretches along the river you can fish with spinners, spoons or other lures. Special are the mouths of the Arån, "our" river Galån and, on the southern side, the Aloppan. Further upstream along these tributaries, there are also good chances of catching grayling in particular.
The Ljungan is repeatedly interspersed with lakes such as Flåsjön, Börtnessjön, Lill-Börtnen, and Fotingen. There are good fishing opportunities here too. In addition to trout and grayling, you also have good chances of catching pike, perch, and whitefish.
Boats can be rented both in Börtnan and Skålan. For longer rental periods, it may be possible to rent a good-quality fishing boat from Skålan for continuous use during your stay at the lakeside house.
In addition, there are numerous lakes easily accessible by car, some of which even have a wind shelter for an even more enjoyable fishing trip.
Mountain Bike and Cycling
Mountainbike and cycling information
Starting from Galå Fjällgård, there are numerous small roads and forest tracks perfect for exploring by mountain bike, bicycle or e-bike. We have put together a number of routes for our guests, offering something for everyone. From a short 7 km beginners’ ride to our most popular tours ranging from 30 to 50 km in length, as well as challenging circular routes – one in the valley and one up in the mountains – each with more than 100 km of distance.
Some of the tours can be done on a regular bike, gravel bike, trekking bike or e-bike. However, the most enjoyable experience is on a mountain bike or e-MTB.
Please observe of the right of public access, as well as the prohibition of riding e-bikes off-road, e.g. in the mountains. E-bikes are considered as motorised vehicles in Sweden.
In our Activity and Hiking Guide Oviksfjällen (GERMAN!), we provide detailed descriptions of 13 cycle routes (right now in German only) starting from Galå Fjällgård, each illustrated on a topographical map.
By MTB to the Visjön
Galån Rest Spot
Lake- and Windshelter-tour
Favorite tours at Galå Fjällgård
Svarthögen and Börtnan
Start: Galå Fjällgård
Distance: 32 km
Elevation gain: 440 m
A great tour from Galå Fjällgård passes not only the mountain pasture Galåbodarna but also the mountain pasture Väster-Svartåsen. Beyond Väster-Svartåsen, at the turn-off towards the ridge Svarthögen, there is a wonderful spot to rest by the river Galån, with smooth, polished rocks and rapids. Later along the way, there is also a turn-off to the idyllic lake Svarttjärnen. When reaching the "summit" of Svarthögen, you have a beautiful view of the vast forests of Jämtland. Here you can stroll through the open forest and discover further viewpoints of the Ljungan Valley, as well as picking plenty of blueberries and lingonberries during the summer months.
Now a fun descent of about 4 km down to Börtnan awaits the cyclist. In summer, a stop at Emma-Brita’s Café in the middle of the village is a must. On the way home, ou can buy some smoked fish at fish shop Börtnans Fjällvattenfisk for a delicious local dinner.
Mountain Lake Visjön
Start: Galå Fjällgård
Distance: 54 km
Elevation gain: 570 m
A proper mountain tour leads from Galå Fjällgård to the mountain lake Visjön, above the tree line. You ride steadily slightly uphill along the road towards Glen, and pass several signposted turns to mountain pastures, such as Nybodarna, Prästbodarna and Östra Arådalen. The first two mentioned can also be integrated as detours during the tour. One of our popular hiking routes leads from the road to Östra Arådalen.
After about 17 km, you reach the "village" of Arådalen. At the entrance to the village, a bench with a table by lake Angelikasjön invites you to take a break. Alternatively, you can cycle to the signposted mountain hut STF Fjällstuga Arådalen, where you can enjoy waffles and coffee during the summer months. The tour continues to the Sami village of Glen. There isn’t much to see there, but during certain seasons there is also a restaurant/café called Hävvi i Glen.
Now the route continues uphill to the reindeer gathering area at the tree line. From here, the path becomes a rockier S1 trail, which is still mostly rideable by mountain bike. E-bike and gravelbike riders can hike the final 4 km to the destination. Up here, you can experience the endless vastness of the Swedish Fjäll with views of Hundshögen, the highest mountain in the region, and later also of the impressive lake Visjön. Once you reach the lake, it’s a good idea to take a break and soak up the stunning scenery and fjäll atmosphere. In windy weather, there is also a rest cabin and even a toilet.
Mountain pasture Långbodarna
Start: Galå Fjällgård
Distance: 9 km
Elevation gain: 110 m
A short tour, but popular nonetheless, as during a few weeks in summer coffee and waffles – freshly baked from the wood-burning stove – are served at the mountain pasture. There are also Sami specialities available as a light lunch. Cows and goats can also be found there in the summer and they are always happy to see new visitors.
On the way to Långbodarna, you will pass the mountain pasture Svedjebodarna. There are two more forest trails there that can be explored by mountain bike. From Långbodarna, you can also continue cycling to the Fittjebodarna mountain pasture (18 km there and back) or the beautiful high mountain pasture of Ljåbodarna (27 km there and back). Alternatively, you can hike from Långbodarna towards the fjäll (from 3.5 km return) or further on to the signposted abandoned mountain pasture Björnsbdarna. We have plenty of tips for you.
Mountain-tour with the MTB
Emma-Brita's Café Börtnan
Mountain pasture cycling
Mountainbike Rental at Galå Fjällgård
We have three to four Scott Aspect 740 mountain bikes available for rental.
Pricelist bicyle hire at Galå Fjällgård:
- 25 Euro* / whole day
- 20 Euro* / 3 hours
* 20 % discount for guests of Galå Fjällgård
Hiking
Hiking Guide for the Oviken mountains
In June 2022, the 2nd edition of our activity guide for the Swedish Oviksfjäll written in German was published. It includes 32 selected hikes in the Oviken Mountains in Jämtland with different difficulties, so that there is something for every hiker. Detailed topographic maps for each hike make orientation on the trail easier. The in-depth tour descriptions and pictures are based on our years of experience and knowledge on site.
Price: 20 EUR for the sale on site or to order on the German page.
An English short version with the most popular or especially pretty hikes is available free of charge for our guests on site.
Experience Sweden's untouched nature on one of the beautiful hiking routes in Jämtland. Enjoy the fresh air and the silence of the forest and the mountains. Located on Fäbodvägen (street with around 30 mountain pastures), Galå Fjällgård is the ideal base for any kind of walk, short hike or longer hiking tour in the Swedish mountains.
Hiking around the summit
Flowering alpine meadows
Mountain hiking in Sweden
Easy tours to nearby tops
Beautiful colors during fall
Hiking in the nature reserve
Hikes to different alps and the forest
Whether short forest walks or diversified hikes through the primeval and mountain forests of Sweden or to the nearby alp huts. Lovers of nature will find unique treasures in the direct surroundings but also on farther hikes in Jämtland.
Hiking in the Fjäll
The best way to explore the wide mountain area - the Fjäll - with countless peaks and grazing land for the reindeer, native to this area, is on a mountain hike. It is not far to the tree line from Galå Fjällgård. A variety of hikes in the Arådalen and Marntallsåsen nature reserve await you.
In addition to the hiking routes described above, there are countless, long hiking routes in the near and farther region that are just waiting to be discovered by you. We are happy to help you with tips and information material, so that your excursion into the fantastic nature of Jämtland is a full success. In our shop on site we offer professional, detailed hiking maps in different scales from the Swedish map publisher "Lantmäteriet" for your hikes.
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