Åre: Mountain Sports, Nature and Mining History

In Åre Municipality, there’s a wide range of activities, from alpine skiing and hiking to nature reserves and reminders of the copper-mining era. If you’re planning a hotel stay, it’s worth thinking ahead about which side of the destination you’d like to focus on: active days in the mountains, nature experiences or historical visits.

Skiing, hiking trails and cycling

The alpine ski area in Åre has around 200 runs across a total of seven ski areas. Åre has nearly 90 ski runs and about half as many lifts of various types. These include the more than 100-year-old Bergbanan, which starts right in the middle of Åre Square. The ski school offers lessons for different levels, either privately or in groups. During the winter season, SkiStar ski buses connect Åre’s various ski areas.

The hiking trails cater to different abilities, too: Åre’s well-developed trail network includes short routes for children, easy trails for inexperienced hikers and longer, more challenging routes. A hike to the summit of Åreskutan reaches 1,420 metres above sea level. For cycling, Björnen has a cross-country cycling arena with numerous easy-to-ride trails. A family-friendly area adds pump tracks, flow trails and technical routes. Åre Bike Park, meanwhile, offers 50 kilometres of downhill cycling trails across 39 routes and is considered Scandinavia’s largest bike park.

Waterfall, mountain scenery and pilgrimage trail

Tännforsen waterfall is 38 metres long and 60 metres wide; it is part of the Indalsälven river system. The area around the waterfall has been a nature reserve since 1971 and is also a Natura 2000 site. A well-marked, easy-to-walk trail leads from Tännforsens Turiststation to the waterfall. At Åreskutan and in the surrounding area, the land is used as grazing land for the reindeer of Kall Sami village. Please be considerate of this during your visit.

High mountains, deep valleys, crystal-clear waterways and vast forests shape the landscape of Vålådalen Nature Reserve. It offers both long hikes through unspoiled, dramatic mountain scenery and accessible nature experiences for many types of visitors. Naturum Vålådalen adds to the experience with exhibitions about the surrounding natural environment, various activities and guided tours.

The S:t Olavsleden passes through Åre Municipality and is described as the world’s northernmost pilgrimage trail. It runs from Selånger in the east to Trondheim in the west and is about 580 kilometres long. The route therefore passes through Åre Municipality, while also forming part of a longer pilgrimage trail.

Mining history and a medieval church

Fröå Gruva was a central location from 1744 to 1919, during the heyday of copper mining. Today, visitors can explore its well-preserved site, with its historic buildings and remains. Guided walks are offered there in summer, giving you the chance to see the impressive waterwheel and descend into the dark mine.

The Huså Mining and Industrial Museum tells the story of copper mining in the region through old objects, documents, photographs and models. The exhibition includes working models of waterwheels, ore carts, pumps and a rod-driven water pump. Visitors can try out processes involved in hard mining work through hands-on activities. The same building also houses a mineral museum with a large collection of local minerals as well as minerals from distant countries.

The medieval church in Åre was built in the late 12th century by farmers from the Åre parish, which belonged to Norway at the time. Today, it is the only surviving medieval stone church in the Scandinavian mountains.

Getting there and finding your way around

You can reach Åre Municipality by train, plane or car, and transfer options to various destinations are available locally. You can book train travel to Åre Municipality with SJ, Snälltåget or Norrtåg. Länstrafiken Jämtland operates regular bus services in the municipality. When planning where to stay, you can consider your preferred way of getting there alongside the activities you have planned: transport options and experiences vary, from seasonal ski bus connections to hiking, cycling and historical visits.

Discover more destinations: Undersåker, Åre, Ånn, Ottsjö, Mörsil, Bydalen, Järpen, Vålådalen, Mattmar, Hallen, Handöl, Huså, Storlien, Duved.

For the regional travel overview: Jämtland.