A Hike to a Mountain Top in Sonfjället National Park

Travel back in time

After a winding drive through the woods you reach the shieling with sunkissed farmhouses. Those who are going to wander up to mount Sonfjället may like to start their hike here at the shieling Nyvallen to get in the right mood.

Look up the steep mountain to see the goats climb the mountain slopes. Hear the gentle cow bells as the cows are coming back to the shieling to be milked in the evening. The cow called Nejlika (carnation) is leading the other cows, she is 22 years old and the self written boss of the herd. The rest of the animals come on a line behind her, one of them makes a loud moo and the calves are skipping around.

You are welcomed to Nyvallen Shieling by Margareta and Alf-Erik Kristoffersson with family who continue an unbroken operation of managing this shieling since the 19th century.

It’s great to come here in the summertime when the grass is green, and we’ll stay until September, says Margareta.

The Sturdy Mountain Cows

The mountain cows are a perfect breed who can go up to a mile a day to find grass, leaves and they like to eat mushrooms in the fall. Mountain cows have a high fat content in the milk, up to five percent. Nowadays dairy calves are kept at the shieling, and they milk only about every other day for cheese making.

Cuddle Up by the Fire

When darkness arrives late in the summer evening, it’s nice to light a fire in the cottage Kvarnstugan or in any of the other houses that you can rent by the Shieling to stay in. The fire creaks and the yellowish shine lights up in the evening. It is nice to cuddle up and and see the blue light out there and mount Sonfjället rising high.

Preserve the Mountain

When you get up to the peak Lilltoppen some 1 000 m. a. s. l. you can see far. In the north there is the u-shaped pass Lunndörrspasset leading from the province Härjedalen and into Jämtland. On top there are lots of heaps of stones, but we do not encourage you to make one of your own. This is a National Park and we like to pass it on as unchanged as possible for future generations.

Follow the Goats

If you choose to go even higher you may encounter the goats who usually keep to this part of the mountain – the grass is good for them here. Rest with the goats for a while, catch your breath and enjoy the view.

A Rocky Hike to the Top

Now you are near the top closest to the steep part with the very best view. It is kind of rocky at the end of the climb, but you will have no problems getting to the top. At the grand top cairn 1 247 m. a. s. l. you can see 360 degrees and all the way into Norway. Celebrate by taking an extra long pause and eat all the goodies you brought with you. There is an even higher mountain top further into the Sonfjället massif.

Look for Brown Bears Going Down

On the way down you can stay just on the verge of the forest line looking for bears. There are plenty of brown bears in the Sonfjället National Park. Bring binoculars and maybe you are lucky enough to spot a bear (if not and you really like to see one you can check in at the Lofsdalen bear´s den – a hideout for spotting bears and other wild animals).

Room for All

Margareta at the Nyvallen shieling feels there is plenty of room for all animals around mount Sonfjället. Sometimes the goats and cows come to the farm earlier than they usually do in the evening if they sense the bears up close.   

Amazing Flora Thanks to Grazing and Farming

Before you leave the shieling you will probably meet the mountain cows again by the green valley. Thanks to the grazing and farming there are many rare flowers and plants growing here. An inventory resulted in 57 recorded species by the Shieling like Bluebells, Daisies and many more.

Bear Your Experiences Within

The contrast between the flourishing green around the shieling and the harsh mountain top of stones is grand. To experience the difference in such a short walk is inspiring and energizing. The meeting with the animals and staying at the Shieling gives you a sense of connection to generations past. Bring your experiences with you, so that you can revive them again by closing your eyes: the white and black mountain cows, the mischievous sheperd pup with one blue and one brown eye and the cocky goats jumping in the steep mountain sides. And just maybe, that sight of a brown bear!