Härjedalen

Härjedalen, Latinized form Herdalia, is a province in Norrland, Sweden. With only 10,500 inhabitants, it is Sweden's least populous province (landskap). Sveg is the largest town, and the seat of Härjedalen municipality, roughly corresponding to the province, and belonging to Jämtland County.

Understand

View of Helagsfjället (Mount Helags), the tallest Swedish mountain south of the Arctic Circle

Sweden annexed Härjedalen from Norway in 1645, during the height of the Swedish Empire. Forestry and peat extraction became important during the 19th century. The ski resorts are now the most successful businesses.

Härjedalen has for a long time been among the most sparsely populated provinces, and the only one without a city (stad). Sveg was merely a town (köping), though there is no practical distinction between the titles since 1971, as all of Sweden is divided into formally equal municipalities.

Settlements

• Sveg, with a population of about 3,000, is the municipal centre.
• Hede
• Vemdalen a ski resort. The three ski areas are Vemdalsskalet, Klövsjö-Storhogna and Björnrike. Most slopes are easy, and suitable for families and beginners.
• Lofsdalen, a calm ski resort

Get in

By plane

• 1 Härjedalen Sveg Airport (EVG  ^IATA). The regional gateway has two daily connections with Stockholm (stop-over in Mora) on weekdays and one on Sundays.  
• To western Härjedalen, the Røros airport in Norway can be used. Flights from Oslo. A car should be rented. Some ski resorts offer taxi transfer, ask them.

By train

• Inlandsbanan is a non-electrified railway, with daily passenger trains during summer. These tourist trains are slow but passes through wonderful scenery on their way. In the winter, the nearest service by train is Ljusdal which can be accessed by bus.

By car

European Route E45 runs from Göteborg and Mora, through Sveg, to Östersund. From Stockholm use road E4 - 83 - 84. From Copenhagen, use road E4 - 26 - E45 past Jönköping.

By bus

Sveg is also served by regular but not frequent bus service.

• Härjedalingen is a bus line from Stockholm through Uppsala and Gävle, calling at most settlements in Härjedalen.
• Buses from Mora or Ljusdal, which have train connections.

Get around

Bridge over the river Ljusnan in the village of Hedeviken in Härjedalen Municipality

• Car is the most suitable travel method in this sparsely populated area. Rental cars can be had at Rent in Sveg AB.
• There are some local buses see Läns trafiken Jämtland and the Resrobot search engine.

See

While Härjedalen has few cultural attractions, the sceneries are great.

• 1 Härjedalens fjällmuseum (Funäsdalen). A local history museum.  
• 2 World's Largest Wooden Bear, Vallarvägen 1. 24 hours. (updated Jul 2021)

Do

Outdoor life: Winter sports, hiking and fishing. See hiking in the Nordic countries and Winter in the Nordic countries. Those interested in history may want to check out the church and cemetery, as well as the Gammelgarden Museum in Sveg.

• Jämtlandstriangeln
• Södra Kungsleden

Buy

The few shopping opportunities in the province can be found in Sveg. The closest city for a wider range of shopping is Östersund.

Eat

Respectable food is served at the Myskoxen which is located near the center of Sveg. Groceries can be had at the Konsum.

Drink

Nightlife in Härjedalen is seasonal, and comes with the skiers. Alcohol is served at the Myskoxen, and one or two other places.

Sleep

Most lodging can be found at the ski resorts. Sveg has three hotels, including Myskoxen and at the Lilla Hotellet.

• 1 Hotell Härjedalen, Vallarvägen 11 (Sveg), ☏ +46 680-10338, info@hotellharjedalen.se. A hotel in a typical 1890s Härjedalen mansion. (updated Feb 2020)
• 2 Hotell Myskoxen, Fjällvägen 12 (Central Sveg), ☏ +46 680-170 00, hotell@mysoxen.se. With 43 rooms it is the largest hotel in Sveg. They also have a large hotel restaurant, and offer breakfast buffet every morning. Doubles 1300-1700 kr. (updated Feb 2020)
• 3 Storhogna Högfjällshotell & Spa, Värdshusvägen 4 (Vemdalen), ☏ +46 682-41 30 30, info@storhogna.com. A mountain resort at 755 meters above sea level and views of beautiful peaks. Has been awarded the title as Sweden's Leading Spa Resort twice by World Travel Awards. (updated Feb 2020)

Stay safe

Cold weather and bears.

Go next

Routes through Härjedalen

Gällivare ← Östersund (187 km) ←

N  S

→ Orsa (125 km) → Karlstad