| My pages about the area around Central part of Sweden |
A short intro to the Central Part of Sweden
Area: Roughly said: the province of Dalarna and northwards untill the border of Västerbotten.
Dalarna is a county full of historical traditions, more numerous and stronger traditions then in many other part of the country. Here the Swedes go when they want to se a "real" midsummer-feast or enjoy truly genuine Swedish folklore and fiddler music. It is no coincidence that The Folklore Symbol of Sweden is a Dalahäst (= Dala Horse) and it is produced in Nusnäs in Dalarna.
The main important industrial factor in this region has for many centuries been the copper mine in Falun. The company "STORA", that is using the mine, is one of the oldest existing company in the world, at least from 1288. An interesting spin off product from the mine is the red paint. This was originally a "waste" and not thought about for hundreds of years. That colour "Falu rödfärg" (Falu red paint) is now by far the most used colour on houses throughout Sweden and has become a national symbol. Because of the high concentration of certain ingredients, the colour is a good conservator. And it is inexpensive! And as during 16th and 17th century red was seen as an "up class" colour, used only by the nobility, the country folk of course started to paint their huts and houses RED. Swedes are like that; they don't allow anyone to stick out too much ;-)
Interesting points to see in the area are:
• Falun Copper mine On the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
• Lake Siljan area with the Carl Larsson Gården in Sundborn
• The High Coast: A beautiful stretch of coastal landscape, with a beautiful national park called Skulleskogen, and an unique area declared a UNESCO heritage site. After the last glaciation, the land has elevated a total of 800 metres. The land, previously weighed down under the weight of a glacier, lifts at rates that are among the highest in the world! And as a consequence islands appear and unite, peninsulas expand, and lakes evolve from bays and develop into marshes and peat fens. And walking around in the High Coast you can see a lot of evidence of this land rising, which makes hiking in this landscape fascinating.
• Sälen: winter ski resort and nice hiking area in summer.
• Färnebofjärden National Park
• Fulufjället National Park
• Hamra National Park
• Sonfjället National Park
• Töfsingdalen National Park
My travels in the Central Part of Sweden
I arrived late afternoon at the park, very early in the season, with no people around yet. We were allowed to put up our little tent on the beach (an advantage of travelling off season), from where we had the most beautiful views over the waters of the Dalälven and Färnebofjärden National Park. The sun was going down, turning the sky into a work of art, but there was still enough light and time for a short walk along the shores.
While walking on the beach we could see a deer quickly making its way over one of the wetlands, we heard the cry of a bird in the distance and the sound of a woodpecker in the tree above. The water was washing gently up the shore, the glittering of the sun in the water, a soft breeze, and the wonderful sound of 'silence'. This is how I remember Färnebofjärden, and how I liked it at its best.
I made a separate page where you will find a more in depth impression of my visits to the Färnebofjärden.
You can find a short photo impression on a separate page about Hackås.
The "Round Nipfjället" hike is our aim for today, a very much longed after hike, where we get the chance to absorb some of that wonderful atmosphere of the Swedish Mountains. And during our hike we spot some reindeers. And when you spot one reindeer, be prepared to see more; many many more! The reindeer were not only in the valley below us, but seemed to come from all directions, running past us in front and behind. Such a fun sight to see! So we just stood there for quite a while, taking in the surrounding landscape with its reindeer that consider these mountains as their home.
You can read more about this hike on a separate page about Nipfjället.
This is one of the favourite spots I visited during our week-long exploration of the High Coast of Sweden in 2020; the beautiful stretch of coastline called "Rotsidan"
Rotsidan is a 4 kilometers long irresistible strip of coastline. It starts off with a short 500 metres leasurely walk through the woods. And then, all off a sudden, the landscape opens up and you are at the coastline. In front of you is the glistening blue Bothnian Sea and a long and low-lying coastline, with beautiful flat diabase slabs, framed by windswept coastal pines and dwarf spruces. The power of the sea is evident here; even on a calm sunny day like today. The flat diabase slabs are sometimes beautifully polished, sometimes heavily weathered. Huge tree trunks are scattered around like small matchsticks that some giant decided to randomly throw around at the top of the shoreline. In short: a beautiful spot to visit!
You can read more about this hike on a separate page about Rotsidan.
"War välkommen kära du, till Carl Larsson och hans fru!"
Or freely translate: "Be welcome dear you, to Carl Larsson and his wife!" These are the words written above the entrance to Carl and Karin Larsson's beloved 'Lilla Hyttnäs' house in Sundborn, just outside Falun. And this little line of words gives a hint of the quirkiness and character of the interior of this house.
To be honest, I didn't have any high expectations at all for this visit to Sundborn and Lilla Hyttnäs, home to these two famous Swedish artists. Åke really wanted to go. But myself, not orginally being from Sweden, had no real attachement to these artists and their history. But as soon as I walked through this door it all changed; what an amazing and surprising place! And the story of their lives really touched me deeply.
You can find a short impression on a separate page about Sundborn.
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:-) Simone