Trail Running Sweden – a Journey Through Unspoilt Land by Natural Pyramids

Trail Running Euphoria in Sweden

The running community is an ever growing group of enthusiasts and as a result, more territory is being explored on foot than ever before. Particularly so by trail runners, who are switching from their normal running routines and heading out and exploring the boundless mountain terrain that Sweden has to offer. This particular adventure, finds itself in the Southern Åre mountain range in Sweden, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Åre. The small village of Vallbo is the starting point of the trail, offering trail runners parking and a chance to go through last minute checks before the run starts.

The run starts off through the old pine forests of Vålådalens Nature Reserve in Sweden, created 1988. The forest is dense with the trees growing tightly over each other, their thin trunks stretching silently up and shutting out both light and sound. Different varieties of moss and lichen drably blanket the earth and slowly consume dried out stumps in inviting earthly tones, filling the nose with musty, yet fresh scents. Despite the silence, these forests are home to all sorts of animal life, from the small Siberian Jays, Capercaillie and Northern Hawk Owl to fox, reindeer and the king of the forests, the moose.

After approximately four kilometres the trail reaches the tree line and wide open spaces. The most notable peak is Stor-Anahögen, 1218 meters high and peaking over the horizon like an inviting sugar cone. The trail is built up on wooden platforms and the running is easy as the meters tick by rapidly, as long as one keeps your eye on your footfall for risk of slipping off and landing with one foot in the swamp. The trail varies between woods and rocky paths, requiring extra effort parrying your way over the uneven terrain. After six kilometres an old croft and Sami village called Grönvallen makes a great place to catch your breath, take in some water from the small stream or make small adjustments in your gear before continuing out, either clockwise to Issjödalen, or counterclockwise towards the famed Pyramids.

We decide to head out towards Issjödalen and its incredible landscape. The pathway meanders its way like a long snake through the mountain terrain, marked to one side by the quintessential red trail markers and clear mountain streams to the other, lined by gravel ridges and crooked, windswept birches. Silently we move on, the only sound being our footsteps and occasional streams gurgling their way downstream.

Running Past Royal Lineages from the 1800’s

Trail running in Sweden isn’t all about the exercise – there are numerous beautiful stops to explore on the way. High up in the valley Issjödalen, the Ice Lake Valley, looms the Royal hunting clubs characteristic hexagon pavilion. Built at the end of the 1800’s and was used every year up until the 1970’s, filled with groups of hunters and manned by servants with vast amounts of gear and supplies. Nowadays the beautiful pavilion stands empty and has an air of peace about it. To the left of the pavilion lies the characteristic Issjön, the Ice Lake, an azure coloured body of water that is a remain from the ice age. For trail runners, this is a perfect place for a recovery swim and providing new energy to tired legs after the climb.

Mystically Shaped Ridges Impress Trail Runners

A steep climb leads up out of the valley and out onto a windswept plain as we follow the signage towards Lunndörren. After about two kilometers of trail running the mystically cone shaped ridges that named the area, appear, the famed Pyramids. These pyramids and valleys, were formed in the ice age as the ice melted unevenly in pools and created valleys and ridges shaped as pyramids. These pyramids and valleys also carry archaeological significance, with findings of fossils from mammoths and musk ox’s, dating back 40 000 years.

Conservation is key at the pyramids and stony ridges are home to a delicate floral canopy, that once destroyed takes many years to recover and regrow. It is possible to enjoy these wonders from a close range but it is forbidden to ascend the ridges in order to prevent damage to the plants from erosion or human presence.

The trail leads down behind the pyramids for around 3 kilometers and past the old Sami cot, till the old pine forests back towards Grönvallen and the finish at Vallbo. The trail run measures 21 kilometers in total, equivalent to a half marathon and it’s a journey of discovery through ages past and present. Tired, jubilant, adrenalin filled and endorphins happy, it’s time to return home and check off yet another great trail running adventure in Sweden and the southern Åre mountain range.