Hiking in the Mountains
At Idre Fjäll and the surrounding areas in northern Dalarna, you'll find hiking trails for all levels, both for children and adults, catering to beginners as well as more experienced hikers. Some trails are located right here on the mountain, close to your accommodation, allowing you to leave your car behind. In the immediate vicinity, you'll find hiking trails around Städjan and Nipfjället, and further away, there are Grövelsjön, Fulufjället, and Norway, among others. Below, we have gathered some of our best hiking trail recommendations.
Please note that Idre Fjäll does not own, mark, or maintain the trails (with a few exceptions). The tips below include trails from the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) as well as other entities, including unmarked trails.
Click on the map button for each hike on your mobile device to see your location in relation to the trail and when it's time to turn off. We recommend always having a fully charged mobile phone and a map with you on your hike. Maps are sold at the reception, Mountain Sports, and ICA Nära at the square in Idre Fjäll. GPX files are available for those who want to download the trail onto their favorite app, but simply pressing the map button is the easiest option.
Distance: 5.4 km round trip
Total elevation gain: approximately 230 meters
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 1.5 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Starting point: Skidstadion
Destination: Summit of Idre Fjäll and back
Car needed: No
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Restaurant Utsikten
Description: Ascend to the summit of Idre Fjäll and enjoy the view at 892 meters above sea level. Starting from Fäboden and Skills Area, continue along the summit trail. Please note that this trail is shared by both hikers and cyclists heading uphill. Show consideration to others! Along the way, you will see large piles covered with tarps or bark. This innovative method helps preserve snow for an early start to the alpine and cross-country skiing season. Once you reach the top, you can admire the expansive views and take a break at Restaurant Utsikten to catch your breath.
Coordinates for the starting point: 61.8923930, 12.8303440
Distance: 5 km round trip
Total elevation gain: approximately 100 meters
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 1.5 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Starting point: Ski Stadium Idre Fjäll
Destination: Gränjestjärn and back
Car needed: No
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: No. Bring a packed lunch to the shelter.
Description: Stroller, wheelchair, or hiking shoes? This is our most accessible hiking trail. From Ski Stadium, follow the asphalt path until a wide boardwalk leads you down to the idyllic Gränjestjärn below the foot of Städjan. Please note that the first and last 1.5 km of the hike are on the paved roller ski track. We kindly ask pedestrians to step off the asphalt well in advance when roller skiers pass by. Around the lake, the boardwalk becomes narrower, and here you will encounter cloudberry marshes and a relaxing environment.
Distance: 1 km
Total elevation gain: 4 meters
Estimated duration for adults: Approximately 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
Starting point: Parking lot at Gränjestjärn
Destination: Gränjestjärn
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Bring a packed lunch.
Description: For the youngest hikers or for those who simply want to enjoy the magical nature at Gränjestjärn. On the boardwalks, you can take a stroll around the lake, keep an eye out for cloudberries, and have a picnic in a shelter.
Coordinates for the starting point: 61.9062950, 12.8396950
Distance: 5.3 km
Total elevation gain: 120 meters
Estimated duration for adults: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Starting point: Slättvåla, shelter beyond Söderhöjden
Destination: Slättvåla, shelter beyond Söderhöjden
Car needed: No, walk or bike to the starting point from your accommodation
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Bring a packed lunch.
Description: A moderately long hiking tour around Slättvåla, featuring perhaps the most beautiful untouched forest in the surroundings. The route is also suitable for a trail run. The terrain varies between narrow and wide paths, as well as shorter sections on gravel road. The starting point is located just beyond the Söderhöjden cottage area.
Coordinates for the starting point: 61.8811708, 12.8520469
Distance: 1.5 km round trip
Total elevation gain: approximately 130 meters
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Starting point: Nipfjället's summer parking lot
Destination: Lillnipen and back down
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Bring a packed lunch.
Description: A true classic and easily accessible peak. The climb to Lillnipen begins directly from Nipfjället's summer parking lot. This is guaranteed to be a favorite for families with children, and if you're lucky, you might see the reindeer with their calves grazing in the distance.
Tip! Visit Nipfjället during sunrise or sunset, as there are usually fewer hikers and it's easier to capture magical moments.
Coordinates for the starting point: 61.9601600, 12.8482440
Distance: 2-5 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 150 meters
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Starting point: Nipfjällets sommarparkering (Nipfjället's summer parking lot)
Destination: Towards Städjan, turn back whenever convenient
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Bring your own packed lunch
Description: A child-friendly hike that can be customized in length. If you choose the full 5 km loop, you'll have the opportunity to follow one trail to the ice age mounds and another trail back. The route offers magnificent views above the treeline with gentle terrain. At the mounds, children can enjoy pretend mountain climbing, and it's a lovely spot for a picnic before turning back to the parking lot.
Starting point coordinates: 61.9601600, 12.8482440
Distance: 13 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 200 meters
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 4 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Nipfjället summer parking lot
Destination: Idre Fjäll
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Bring packed lunch
Description: If you have the opportunity to leave a car at the Nipfjället summer parking lot, you can enjoy a hiking route that involves more downhill sections than uphill, while still offering beautiful mountain views. You start at the popular Nipfjället and pass below the distinctive peak of Städjan. If you have enough energy, you can also climb to the top of Städjan before continuing down to Gränjåsvallen and then onward to Idre Fjäll.
Starting point coordinates: 61.9601600, 12.8482440
Distance: approximately 4-9 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 100 meters
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 2 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Parking before the national border beyond Storsätern
Destination: Valdalsbygget, circular trail returning to the parking area
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Description: West of Storsätern, on the border with Norway, you'll find Valdalsbygget, a preserved mountain pasture that provides a glimpse into the traditional mountain farming life of the past. Park your car approximately 500 meters before reaching the Norwegian border in a large parking area on the left side of the road. Depending on the distance you want to hike, you can choose from different options:
1. From the parking area, follow the well-marked trail south towards Valdalsbygget. You'll walk through beautiful birch forest with some old pine vegetation. For the shortest possible route, return the same way from the mountain pasture.
2. After exploring the mountain pasture, follow the intersection trail east towards Köldyllen, which offers glimpses of the peaks in Norway. From there, head straight north to return to the main road and the parking area. Note that you should not continue following the intersection trail, but instead take the first trail at the fork, which is marked with vertical wooden pieces.
3. If you want to extend the trail to a total of approximately 9 km, continue west from Valdalsbygget on the trail. At the next mountain pasture in Norway, take the small trail that sharply turns south towards a small mountain lake. Then, retrace your steps on the same trail back to Valdalsbygget and follow option 2 to return.
Distance: 4 km
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Njupeskär parking lot
Destination: Njupeskär waterfall (halfway), then return to the parking lot
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Njupeskär Visitor Center, toilets at the start and destination
Description: Located in the magnificent Fulufjället National Park, Njupeskär is Sweden's highest waterfall, measuring an impressive 93 meters, with a free fall of 73 meters. From the parking lot, there is a well-marked 4 km trail that passes by the waterfall. The trail is gravelled, with boardwalks, and easy to walk on. At the start, there is a visitor center and a restaurant. Please note that the area is very popular during peak season. It is recommended to visit the area early in the morning or in the evening, or during off-peak season.
Starting point coordinates: 61.6349470, 12.7204670
Distance: 4 km
Total elevation gain: 35 meters
Estimated duration for adults: Approximately 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Idre Fjäll Ski Stadium
Destination: Idre Fjäll Ski Stadium
Car needed: No
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: None
Description: The Tannen loop trail mostly passes through beautiful, slightly sparser forest. The terrain varies between forest trails and gravel surfaces.
Starting point coordinates: 61.892501637015336, 12.829542425548237
Distance: 5.3 km
Total elevation gain: 70 meters
Estimated duration for adults: Approximately 1.5 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Idre Fjäll Ski Stadium
Destination: Idre Fjäll Ski Stadium
Car needed: No
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: None
Description: This is a moderate-length trail with a gravel surface. Along the route, you will pass through beautiful, open marshlands and enjoy views of Städjan and the Nipfälls massif.
Starting point coordinates: 61.892501637015336, 12.829542425548237
Distance: 5.8 km
Total elevation gain: 70 meters
Duration for adults: Approx. 2 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Slättvåla, shelter beyond Söderhöjden
Goal: Idre Fjäll Ski Stadium
Car needed: No
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: None
Description: A pleasant gravel road that offers varied nature, old-growth forest, and views of Städjan. The road takes you all the way around Idre Fjäll, where you can see all the slopes and changing vegetation.
Distance: 6.6 km round trip
Total elevation gain: Approximately 500 meters
Duration for adults: Around 2 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate with significant ascent
Start: Städjan's parking area
Destination: Summit of Städjan and back
Car needed: No (you can consider cycling to the starting point)
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Bring packed lunch
Description: Embark on a classic summit hike to the highest point of Städjan. The trail takes you through mountain forests, across the barren mountain plateau, and concludes with a steep ascent. Once at the summit, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain world. Did you know that Städjan is said to have inspired Richard Dybeck to write the opening lines of the Swedish national anthem?
Tip! Visit Städjan during sunrise or sunset to avoid crowds and capture magical moments on camera. If possible, consider cycling to the starting point as the parking area can get crowded.
Distance: 10 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 470 meters
Estimated duration for adults: approximately 3 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Nipfjället year-round parking
Destination: Circular trail, the trail veers upwards and passes the summer parking before returning
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Bring packed lunch
Description: This hike offers a beautiful circular trail with stunning views of the Nipfjället mountain. From the parking lot, follow the gravel road for a short distance until the trail towards Städjan appears on the right side, near Nipgubben. Follow the narrow but well-marked trail with views of the spectacular silhouette of Städjan. After 3.5 km of hiking, the trail splits. Take the left turn and head back towards the Nipfällsmassivet mountain. After approximately 5 km, a chain of steep hills formed by the Ice Age emerges. Here, younger hikers can enjoy climbing the peaks, and it's also an excellent spot to enjoy your packed lunch. Continue the hike with beautiful views towards Härjedalen until you reach the Nipfjället summer parking.
Tip! Avoid the gravel road leading down to the year-round parking. Instead, follow the beautiful small trail that runs parallel to the gravel road on the right side. Only follow the gravel road for the final hundred meters to the parking lot from Nipgubben's statue.
Distance: 6 km round trip
Estimated duration for adults: about 2 - 3 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Nipfjällets summer parking
Destination: The summit of Nipfjället (Mulen) and back
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes, suitable for older children
Facilities along the way: Bring packed lunch
Description: This is a top hike with a relatively short approach before the ascent to the summit begins. It is a total of 2.9 km and 267 meters of elevation gain from the parking lot to the summit. From Nipfjällets summer parking, follow the signs towards Ulandsstugan and Slagubäckstugan. After 1.5 km at the wooden sign "Mulen," turn left and start the steep hike up to the summit of Nipfjället at an elevation of 1191 meters. Here, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the mountain world, including sights such as Idre Fjäll, Städjan, Fjätervålen, Lofsdalen, Grövelsjöområdet, Slagubäckstöten, and the Norwegian peak Rendalssölen.
Tip! Visit Nipfjället early in the morning or late in the evening to have the mountain more to yourself.
Distance: 15.3 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 200 meters
Estimated duration for adults: about 5 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Nipfjället year-round parking
Destination: Around Nipfjället, back to the parking area
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Bring packed lunch
Description: This hike offers a beautiful and varied mountain experience, mostly through open mountain landscapes, but also through rugged mountain birch forests and shaded woods. Pack a substantial lunch so you can spend most of the day on the mountain. During the hike, you'll pass by Ulandsstugan and Slagubäckskojan, where you can take a break sheltered from the elements. The loop trail can be hiked in either direction, but starting by heading west through the birch forest provides a pleasant downhill stretch towards the end of the hike when your legs are tired.
Distance: 12.5 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 400 meters
Estimated duration for adults: about 4 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Nipfjället year-round parking
Destination: Loop trail, you turn back at the base of Städjan
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Bring packed lunch
Description: From Nipfjället's year-round parking, you follow the main road back for about 700 meters until you reach a sign indicating Gränjesåsvallen to the left. From here, you follow the orange markers on the trees along the narrow and partly technical wilderness trail towards Städjan. A shady hike through untouched, ancient forests awaits you. After about 5.5 km, you leave the wilderness trail where a sign points up towards Städjan. A clear trail now leads uphill towards Städjan. Once you reach the intersection trail that passes below the steep peak, you follow it all the way back across the bare mountain landscape to your starting point.
Closed for the season
Distance: 6 km
Total elevation gain: 65 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Skidstadion Idre Fjäll
Destination: Skidstadion Idre Fjäll
Description: Closed for the season. A flat trail loop that takes you down to Gränjestjärn and back on beautiful running trails. The loop traverses open areas that offer the most accessible and stunning views of Städjan and Nipfjället. Due to sections of marshland, expect some wet patches along the way. A shorter section before Gränjestjärn is slightly rocky and technical.
Starting point coordinates: 61.892501637015336, 12.829542425548237
Distance: 6 km
Total elevation gain: 120 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Slättvåla shelter
Destination: Slättvåla shelter
Description: A loop trail that takes you into untouched nature. It is mostly dry and not very technical, but it concludes with a challenging ascent, making the trail of moderate difficulty. This trail truly gives you a taste of running in a beautiful mountain environment with abundant heather.
Starting point coordinates: 61.88130043457564, 12.85226258359465
Distance 12 km
Distance: 12 km
Total elevation gain: 300 meters
Estimated duration for adults: Approximately 4 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Idre Fjäll Square
Destination: Idre Fjäll Square
Car needed: No
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Utsikten Restaurant
Description: Do you want to hike or test-run the official race route for the Salming Idre Fjäll Marathon 12 km? This trail offers varied terrain, including trails, mountain marshes, and a steep ascent up the entire Idre Fjäll. At the top, you can reward yourself at the Utsikten Restaurant before descending the final stretch of the mountain. By using the GPX track, you can ensure that you follow the official race route.
Distance 28 km
Distance: 28 km
Total elevation gain: 900 meters
Estimated duration for adults: about 8 hours
Difficulty level: Difficult
Start: Torget Idre Fjäll
Destination: Torget Idre Fjäll
Car needed: No
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Bring sufficient food
Description: Do you want to hike or test run the official race route for the Salming Idre Fjäll Marathon 28 km? Here, you will pass through many of the most beautiful locations in the Städjan-Nipfjället Nature Reserve. However, be prepared for a challenge as the route includes 900 meters of elevation gain and technical terrain.
Distance: Adaptable
Difficulty level: Easy
Starting point: Lake cabin at Grövelsjön
Destination: Lake cabin at Grövelsjön
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Toilets and Sjöstugan with café/restaurant at the start and finish, bring a packed lunch.
Description: There are many beautiful and easily accessible hikes in Grövelsjön. One of them is the Linnéstigen starting at Sjöstugan and the suspension bridge over Grövlan. You follow the trail towards Svukuriset (the trail that turns to the right). The path is very easy to follow and after 2.3 km you pass the reindeer fence. The trail continues to the national border and further into Norway. On the Norwegian side, the trail is marked with a red T. Follow the trail as long as the weather allows before turning back to your starting point. The trail stretches 8 km one way. It is slightly uphill for 4.8 km before the first flat section. After 5.8 km, the trail splits and you take the left towards Svukuriset. The straight ahead trail goes towards Sylen. The trail Linnéstigen gets its name from Carl von Linné's journey towards Röros in 1734.
Distance: 18 km round trip
Total elevation gain: approximately 450 meters
Estimated duration for adults: about 6 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Grövelsjöns fjällstation
Destination: Summit of Storvätteshågna and back
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Grövelsjöns fjällstation with refreshments and restrooms at the starting point and destination. Bring your own packed lunch for the journey.
Description: A hike to the highest point in Dalarna at 1204 meters above sea level. If you don't want to go all the way to the highest point, you can of course shorten the hike by turning back earlier. You'll still get to experience the barren mountain landscape and enjoy beautiful views.
Starting point coordinates: 62.09898, 12.31367
Distance: 7 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 180 meters
Estimated duration for adults: about 2 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Sjöstugan Grövelsjön
Destination: Loop trail, you will return to Sjöstugan. Halfway, you will pass by Silverfallet (Silver Falls).
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Restrooms and Sjöstugan café/restaurant at the starting point and destination. Shelter and dry toilet after 2.6 km.
Description: A classic child-friendly hike starting from the parking area at Sjöstugan, Grövelsjön. Follow the well-maintained trail with boardwalks and opportunities for stops. The scenery is varied and offers expansive views. There is a short rocky section of about 300 meters just before the shelter. You will reach the picturesque waterfall (3 meters high) after 3.5 km. After that, the trail follows the reindeer fence that marks the border with Norway, before descending back to Sjöstugan.
Distance: 9 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 300 meters
Estimated duration for adults: about 3 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Start: Sjöstugan Grövelsjön with boat ride
Destination: Sjöstugan Grövelsjön
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes
Facilities along the way: Sjöstugan at the starting point and destination. Bring your own packed lunch.
Description: This is a combination trip that begins with a boat ride across the entire Grövelsjön (of course, you can also walk both ways). Along the way, you will pass both the national border and a World War II airplane wreck. The hike begins in the small Norwegian mountain village of Sylen. A beautiful and partly steep trail leads up to the barren mountain landscape, which you will follow all the way back to Sjöstugan, Grövelsjön.
Note: Pre-booking of the boat ride with M/S Sylöra is mandatory and must be booked in advance.
Starting point coordinates: 62.1061920, 12.2975010
Distance: 8.5 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 450 meters
Estimated duration for adults: about 3 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Parking at the southern end of Djupsjön on the left side of the road between Storsätern and Elgå
Destination: Loop trail, you will return to the parking area
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Bring your own packed lunch
Description: This is a challenging yet accessible summit hike with over 400 meters of elevation gain on the Norwegian side of the national border. The trail heads west, taking you along the lakeshore and uphill towards Båthusberget. After about a kilometer, the trail splits, and you take the right path to ascend the impressive slope of Båthusberget, reaching its peak at 1092 meters above sea level. This hike offers diverse environments, ranging from a waterfront landscape to birch forests and further up into high alpine mountain scenery.
Distance: approximately 11 km
Total elevation gain: approximately 760 meters
Estimated duration for adults: 4 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Start: Dalset
Destination: Summit of Elgåhogna and back
Car needed: Yes
Child-friendly: No
Facilities along the way: Bring your own packed lunch
Description: This is a true summit hike to the highest peak within a reasonable distance from Idre Fjäll. A well-marked trail takes you through sparse mountain birch forests, across the barren mountain landscape, and up to the steep summit with rocky terrain in the last kilometer. At an elevation of 1460 meters above sea level, you will be rewarded with panoramic views, including numerous lakes within sight. From Storsätern, follow the signs towards Elgå and cross the Norwegian border just before Dalset, where there is a parking area on the left side. The trail starts on the opposite side of the road.
