Ottsjö – Trails, Fäbod Culture and Lake

Ottsjö and its range of activities

If you choose Ottsjö as your destination, you can plan your stay around different activities: the Hållvallsleden trail leads from the village to a mountain pasture, the Fäbodrundturen passes two more mountain pastures, the shores of Lake Ottsjön and kayak tours take centre stage, and there are several trails for cross-country skiing and ski touring. When looking for a hotel in Ottsjö, you can first consider which local activities you would like to shape your stay.

Trails, terrain and places to rest

The Hållvallsleden runs for about four kilometres from the village of Ottsjö to the Hållvallen mountain pasture. It is used for hiking, running, horse riding and cycling. Its approximate length, destination and range of uses give you concrete points of reference for including the trail in your day’s plans. The Bäckåsleden has a different focus: it crosses marshland and sections of mountain forest over Högåsen, with views in every direction. Where it connects to the Hållvallsrundan, the Bäckåsleden has four rest stops or benches. The trails therefore have different features to consider: the Hållvallsleden connects the village to the mountain pasture and has a specific approximate length, while the Bäckåsleden stands out for its terrain, views and places to rest.

Fäbod history and historic routes

Fäbod farming is one of the historical themes associated with Ottsjö. The Hållvallens fäbod was built in 1824 and used as spring and autumn pasture until 1940. This gives its construction date and former use a specific timeframe. The Fäbodrundturen offers a different perspective, passing the weathered mountain pastures of Norra and Södra Bottenvallen. The historical context of Hållvallens fäbod is shaped by the dates 1824 and 1940, while the Fäbodrundturen is defined by its route past two other named mountain pastures. Ridvadet across Lake Ottsjön is also part of the history of the routes: it is just over 500 metres long and was formerly used by people on horseback travelling to Härjedalen. While the mountain pastures are associated with former pastoral farming, Ridvadet recalls the way the passage across the lake was used in the past.

On Lake Ottsjön: shores and kayak tours

On the northern shore of Lake Ottsjön, there is a small sandy beach and a boat landing that are easy to reach from the village of Ottsjö. Fjällkajakcenter offers kayak tours on Lake Ottsjön lasting from two hours to a full day. Tours start at the centre by the Storåstranden bathing area. The options differ mainly in how they relate to the lake: the northern shore offers the beach and boat landing, while the kayak tours are defined by their duration and starting point at Storåstranden. The range from two hours to a full day also helps you estimate how much time a tour will take.

Ski trails and other activities

Ottsjö has a total of six different trails for cross-country skiing and ski touring. The Lyckoleden connects Ottsjö with the ski trails in Trillevallen and Edsåsdalen. This lets you distinguish between trails in Ottsjö and a connection to ski trails in the two other locations. Dog sledding tours are another activity: Wild Spirit Dog Sledding and Bushcraft offers them against the wilderness backdrop of Ottsjö. So, alongside the ski trails, there is another way to get around. When comparing activities for your stay, the specific number of trails, the Lyckoleden connection and the dog sledding tours on offer can serve as different points of reference.

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