Skärkdalen: Hiking Trails and Sami Cultural Heritage

Hiking and Sami cultural heritage are two specific themes for a trip to Skärkdalen. Skärvagsdalen Nature Reserve is protected as a nature reserve and Natura 2000 site; traces of Sami dwellings are located within the area. Nearby, trails pass through forest and marshland and along rivers. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between routes by their landscapes and landmarks.

Nature Reserve and Traces of Sami Culture

The Skärkdalen–Mor Sönnes hiking trail passes through birch forest, mixed forest, and marshland. After a few kilometres, it reaches Skärvagsdalen Nature Reserve. Kari Torkils, an old Sami school, is located along the trail; remains of the house foundation are still visible. Mor Sönnes, a well-preserved wooden house in private ownership, is also located along this hiking trail.

The trail thus connects different landscapes with specific historical landmarks. At Kari Torkils, the foundation remains of the old school are visible, while Mor Sönnes survives as a wooden house. The two places are on the same hiking trail, but differ in their respective histories and in the explicitly stated private ownership of Mor Sönnes.

Hiking Trails Through Forest and Along the River

The Skärkdalen–Öjön hiking trail starts at Skärkdalens fritidsby and heads west through mountain forest on the eastern part of the north slope of Skärvagsvålen. For a long stretch, it follows the Skärvagsån past trapping pits. The two named routes therefore differ in their landscapes and landmarks: Skärkdalen–Mor Sönnes passes through birch and mixed forest as well as marshland and reaches the nature reserve; Skärkdalen–Öjön passes through mountain forest and follows the river past the trapping pits.

Waterfalls and Fishing Nearby

Nearby Skärkdalen, a trail from the car park at Hovlinsvallen runs for about 2 kilometres alongside the Öjönån’s cascading waterfalls to Silverfallet. On the Skärkdalen–Hovlinsvallen hiking trail, you can branch off at the Öjönån and head upstream for a few hundred metres to Silverfallet. The first route starts at the car park; the second is described as a branch off another hiking trail.

There are also different locations to consider for fishing: Öjön is particularly good for fishing for large Öjöröding and trout in winter. Nearby, you can reach Lower Skärvagen via the south side of the Skärkån. The car park at Lower Skärvagen is 150 metres from the rental boats. These are rented by the Ljungdalen tourist office for fishing on the Skärvagsån during opening hours. If you plan to use a rental boat, check its availability for your dates with the tourist office in advance.

Getting There and Practical Route Planning

On the road from Skärkdalen to Skärvagsdalen Nature Reserve, continue for 800 metres after the first turn and a further 1.5 kilometres after the second. For the Skärkdalen–Hovlinsvallen hiking trail, you will need a car at each car park or a pick-up, as the car parks are far apart.

Another option is the Risåsstugan–Skärkdalen hike. It partly follows an unmarked route through Skärkdalen’s coniferous forest; for most of the first half, it passes through high-altitude mountain birch forest. This information helps you compare the different routes by their landscapes and practical requirements without treating the hikes as the same.

Discover more destinations: Berg, Svenstavik, Kvarnsjö, Ljungdalen, Åsarna, Ratan, Hackås, Storhågna

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