Winter Cycling in Lofsdalen on Fatbikes

The Snow-Trac is part of the Adventure

The bikes are loaded into a snow-trac and we get ready for departure. The Snow-Trac shakes at the start and then moves across the frozen lake Lofssjön. We leave the village behind us and head up to the waffle hut with the simple name Våffelstugan (The Waffle Hut). Snowpowdered spruces surround the track we go on. The sun tries to penetrate a light snowfall, creating a soft golden and beautiful shine. After twenty minutes we arrive at the Waffle Hut and unload the bikes.

Stay on track

It feels strange when the bike is led in the snow. Skiing in the mountains gives a familiar feeling, but cycling feels odd to us. And at the same time exciting. We make our first tentative pedal movements and then we are off. After a number of laughs and falls into the snow we get the hang of it. The wide tires roll easily as long as you do not get outside the snowmobile tracks. The light cold snow that came during the night has embedded the whole mountain, including the tracks. This means we get to make the first tracks as we’re out early. A creaking noise is heard when the tires plunge into the powder. Everything is white around us with windswept birches sticking out as we cycle our way further into the fells.

Daring bets and Spectacular Crashes

Lofsdalen´s mountain, Hovärken, can be recognized from far thanks to it´s shape. To the left of us there is another mountain called Sömlingshågna. The cyckle tour goes around a mountain called Stenruten, it is 5 km long and is on a trail for snowmobiles. It is marked out with wooden posts and a red cross on top made from two red wooden planks. After having cycled a few kilometres we are feeling daring and go faster, especially in the slopes. Needless to say, this results in some spectacular crashes in the snow and we regret not having brought our helmet cameras… Luckily there are soft landings in the powder-like snow.

The Non-Negotiable Waffle

Once back at the Waffle Hut it fits well with a crispy waffle, cloudberry jam and whipped cream. Skiers, cyclists and snowmobilers all get together here and share their adventures. Although the means of transport are different, the joy of being in nature is the same.

Keep in mind

As a fatbike cyclist, you share the trail with others, both skiers and snowmobilers. You as a cyclist are unusual to meet and your movement patterns as well as speed are not familiar to others. Therefore, pay extra attention and exaggerate your signs to let others know of your attentions for example when changing direction.

Bringing your own bike to Jämtland Härjedalen

If you want to go to Jämtland Härjedalen by public transport and bring your own bike; in addition to cycling all the way to the destination, you can also go by train, plane or bus.

Via train, it is possible to bring a bicycle on the Inlandsbanan, Norrtåg and Snälltåget, but if you travel with SJ, the bicycle must be packed in a bag. Via bus, it is possible to bring a bicycle on Länstrafiken’s buses, but space is limited. If you fly, the bike must also be packed in a bag.

Bring your bike on Swedish trains – a helping hand from the Swedish Bicycle Association Cykelfrämjandet.