Särna: Nature, Culture and Trails

When looking for a hotel in Särna, it helps to first narrow down the purpose of your trip: Are you interested in access to Fulufjället, lakeside walking trails, cultural history or winter activities? Särna offers different starting points for planning. This lets you focus on the things that matter for your stay.

Getting there and nature at Fulufjället

If you are heading to the main entrance of Fulufjället National Park, you can drive there from Särna via Highway 70 and then take the road towards Mörkret and Gördalen. Naturum Fulufjället has exhibitions about the national park, various activities, talks and guided tours. Many of Fulufjället’s summer trails start at Naturum. If you are travelling by bus, Dalatrafik route 785 serves both Särna kyrkan and Fulufjället Njupeskär. Check the timetable before travelling.

Distinctive landforms also shape the area’s natural character. Krakelandet consists of an extensive bog surrounded by low, forested moraine ridges. Several rare and endangered species live on old and dead trees. The plentiful deadwood in various stages of decay provides a habitat for endangered lichens and wood-rotting fungi. Tall pines around 300 years old grow in the Tvärhugget Nature Reserve. Njupeskär Waterfall has a free fall of 93 metres.

There is an observation tower at Mickeltemplet. On a clear day, the view from there reaches as far as Norway and Härjedalen. Barmarktider are used both as a walking trail and as a popular mountain biking route. At Fjätfallen, several waterfalls and a fish ladder form part of the landscape. The area is seven kilometres from Särna and can be reached by car or bicycle.

Lakeside trails and walks

In Särna, the signposted Strandpromenaden trail starts at Gammelkyrkan. It follows the shore towards the large Östomsjönsbron. Broarna runt is an 8.3-kilometre extension of this lakeside walk. When planning your time for a walk, you can choose between the route along the shore and the longer extension.

Särnas Playa is a long sandy beach next to Särna’s campsite. A small headland extends into the Österdalälven. The beach and headland give this stretch of shore a different character from the signposted walking trails. If you would like to include another natural feature in your plans, you can consider the beach alongside the walking routes and the landscape around Fjätfallen.

History, music and regional traditions

The present-day Särna Gammelkyrka was begun in 1684 and completed in 1697. Särna skans is a well-preserved defensive structure dating from 1940. The open-air museum Lomkällan displays huts from across the era of forestry work. The site also has a large battalion fortification, including trenches and anti-tank barriers. Exhibitions at Skogshalla cover the period of military preparedness and the railway era; exhibition content may change.

Music and food also offer an insight into local traditions. Särnalåtar has its roots in Norwegian folk fiddling and dates back to the 17th century. Kolbotten is a regional dish from Särna: fried bacon and Messmörduppa are prepared over an open fire. Another living tradition is shaping butter into a Julgås in a carved wooden mould. This tradition is widespread in Särna, Idre and Härjedalen.

The traditional Midsummer celebration at Gammelgården has been held in Särna for many years. Everyone can dance around the Midsummer pole during the celebration. If you plan to attend, check locally for the latest programme details.

Planning winter activities

In winter, Särna has wide, well-groomed snowmobile trails running in all directions. Well-groomed cross-country ski trails are also maintained in Särna, through the joint efforts of Särna SK and Älvdalen Municipality. Trail grooming and use are seasonal. Visitors can book a dog-sledding tour in Särna.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Älvdalen, Foskros, Idre, Storsätern, Evertsberg.

Return to the main travel overview: Älvdalen.