Enjoyable hiking

Värmland is synonymous with hiking – especially day hikes that are suitable for the whole family. Follow along on a wonderful hike to Sundbergsleden in Sunne and the forests around Selma Spa. Text: Linnea Lindblad Photo: Marcela Elofsson

We wake up as the afternoon sun shines through feather-grey curtains in our room at Selma Spa. After a refreshing facial treatment and a nap afterwards, it is time to get some fresh air. Before we came here, we knew there were scenic hiking routes nearby but it was a really nice surprise to discover that Sundberg’s nature area was just a stone’s throw away from the parking lot. EVEN THOUGH WE had only gone a few hundred meters, it felt like we were far away from the facilities. The damp gravel crunches under our shoes and our lungs fill with the fresh air, the scent of the rain clouds that passed a few hours earlier still in the air. The Sundsberg trail starts on even ground with a tractor path leading towards increasingly dense forest. The sun shines on the moss between the spruce trees and there is a faint whistle of wind gently blowing through the tree tops. Our goal for the day is to hike up to Utsikten (the view) at the top of Klövberget. Looking down, we will feast on our picnic and drink in the view that goes on for miles and miles across Fryksdalen valley. If we’re lucky, the heavens will give us as beautiful a sunset as the one we enjoyed yesterday from the restaurant at Selma Spa.

SADLY, AT THIS time of year, when late summer has just turned into autumn, the ocean of

Hovfjällsrundan Vitsand, Torsby 3,7 – 12 km, 1,5 – 5 hrs Moderate to Difficult

Halgåleden Brattfallet, Ekshärad 6,8 km, 4 hrs Difficult

Nötö-, Arskags- & Prästöleden Visnums-Kil, Kristinehamn 5,5–5,6 km, 1,5 hrs Moderate

Jäveröleden Jäverön, Karlstad 3–17 km, 1–6 hrs Moderate

Lekvattnet, Torsby 7,9 km, 2,5 hrs

Liljedal, Grums 5,7 km, 2 hrs

visitvarmland.se varmlandsleder.se

Photo: Øivind Lund

Photo: Øivind Lund

anemones that cover this popular attraction are past their best. On the other hand, the leaves on the trees have started to turn orange and red at the top of the forest canopy. Compared to other nature areas in Värmland, both plant and animal life are particularly evident the countryside around Sundsberg thanks to the calcareous bedrock in the area. For example, seven of the eight species of woodpeckers found in Sweden are to be seen in the region if you are lucky. As the trail grows steeper, our pulses increase, perhaps more than usual given how relaxing the last twenty-four hours have been.

By the time we have reached the top, the sunset is spectacular – yet another chance to take a moment to relax and enjoy the calm.

THREE HOURS AFTER leaving the Spa, we are back in our room again. After a delicious culinary experience at dinner in the restaurant, we decided to take a final dip in the jacuzzi. The fresh air from the day’s hike feels like a cool veil wrapping around inside us as we climb into the bubbly water.