Hammerdal: Churches, Nature and Craftsmanship

Hammerdal is located on European route E45. You can plan your trip around different themes: church architecture and local history, natural areas, seasonal activities, and craftsmanship.

Churches and History

Hammerdal Church took on its present form in 1781; the tower was added in 1817. Next to the church is a chapel with panoramic windows and views of the lake. At the church, you can see two construction phases from different periods, while the chapel’s windows frame views of the lake.

Gåxsjö Church was completed in 1886 to plans by the architect F. R. Ekberg. Its interior is unusually cohesive. The contrast is between the distinct construction phases at Hammerdal Church and the unified overall impression of the interior at Gåxsjö—a useful distinction if you are interested in architectural history or church architecture.

At Hammerdal’s local heritage museum in Kusdalen, you can learn more about Hammerdal’s history; the site includes eight buildings. The site is mainly open in summer. The café and museum usually open at Midsummer and remain open until August. If you plan to visit, check the opening hours in advance.

Nature and Seasonal Activities

Vackermyrens Nature Reserve is in Fyrås, just south of Hammerdal, and includes four wetlands. There are accessible trails and picnic spots with fire pits. Orchids found in the wetlands include ängsnycklar, sumpnycklar, blodnycklar, flugblomster and brudsporre. The trails, picnic facilities and plant life offer different ways to explore the area.

Lusthuset offers a different kind of landscape: its water garden comprises around twenty ponds and waterfalls. This figure is approximate. In contrast to the wetlands of the nature reserve, the focus here is a waterscape of ponds and waterfalls.

Vikberget ski resort is just south of Hammerdal in Jämtland and slopes down towards Lake Fyrsjön. Seasonal operations are weather-dependent. If you plan to visit the resort, check whether it will be operating during your intended travel dates.

Sikås outdoor gym has two exercise trails, one 1.5 km long and the other 2 km. These figures let you compare the trails by length; check local information about the facilities before your visit. The site in Sikås also includes a troll forest for children, a dedicated attraction for younger visitors.

Craftsmanship and Food

Håxås Möbler och Slöjd has operated its own carpentry workshop and exhibition in Håxås since 1983. Its work combines traditional craftsmanship with modern CAD technology. In Gåxsjö, the smithy combines a blacksmith’s workshop with a shop selling its own products. These offer contrasting craft themes: carpentry and CAD technology in Håxås, and a smithy with its own shop in Gåxsjö.

In the vicinity of Hammerdal, in Sikås, Freja trädgård & design serves homemade sourdough bread and cakes, as well as open sandwiches with goat whey cheese and white goat’s cheese from Raftsjöhöjdens Gårdsmejeri. This adds a culinary touch to the themes of architecture, nature and craftsmanship.

Discover more destinations: Hoting, Stora Blåsjön, Backe, Rossön, Norråker, Strömsund, Gäddede, Lidsjöberg.

Back to the main travel overview: Strömsund.