When warm summer days grow few and far
between, and colourful, cool autumn days
grow in number, new outdoor adventures await
in the northernmost parts of Värmland. The
mosquitoes have packed up for the season. The
air is easy to breath. The weather shifts swiftly
as rain-drenched skies and mystic fog quickly
scatter when the sun breaks through the clouds.
Frank Feuker is an outdoor guide and
together with his partner Dorothee Gebhardt he
runs Camping 45, strategically located right at
the foot of Hovfjället.
– Hovfjället has been a nature reserve since
the 1960s, he informs us. Already back then,
people understood the value of protecting
the natural forests in the area and promoting
outdoor life.
It feels like a privilege
to go on a hike with
him. He pulls out the map of Hovjället from his
backpack and points out where we are. The trail
we are walking is roughly five kilometres long.
Where the paths split there are clear signs
with arrows pointing towards all kinds of
hiking destinations – it is 27 kilometres to
Torsby. Those who wish to learn more about the
plants and animals in the area can walk along
one of the nature trails. They are slightly shorter
and you can pick up a booklet describing what
you can spot along the way.
After a few kilometres we stop for our first
break by Bondfuggestorp, an old residence that
offers a place to stop for a break or spend the
night. The wood panelling is a silvery grey,
hardened by years of exposure to all kinds of
weather conditions and seasons. The door is
unlocked and in the main house there is a stove
for warmth and a fireplace for basic cooking.
Make your coffee the traditional way in a kettle
over the open fire and grill your sausages on the
griddle!
The tables and benches have room for about
15 people.
– And up there you’ll find a sleeping loft,
says Frank and points towards the ceiling.
The ladder is on the outside, you just climb up.
After the hike
, our guide wants to show
us one of his favourite places. We drive for a
few kilometres and park right where the path
towards Åstebyhöjden begins. That it is steep is
The most
southern
mountain terrain
The door is unlocked and in the main house there is a stove
for warmth and a fireplace for basic cooking. Make your
coffee the traditional way in a kettle over the open fire and
grill your sausages on the griddle!
Hovfjället
98 | naturally
