Intro

For this year’s hike I wanted something that was easier to reach, so I settled on a hike in Jamtländ since it is easily reachable by train from Göteborg.

Getting there

From Göteborg Central, take the night train (SJ nattåg) to Duved and from there a transfer bus (Wänseth buss) to STF Storulvån.

Getting back

From STF Vålådalens fjällstation, transfer bus to Undersåker and then night train to Göteborg Central.

Main itinerary

4 days of marching from Storulvån to Vålådalen, with a side-jump to Syltoppen, for a total of 67 + 11 = 78 km.

  1. Storulvån to Sylarna - 16 km (5–6 hours). Pretty easy, well-trodden path, slightly uphill.

  2. Sylarna to Gåsen - 17 km (5-6 hours). A stream needs to be waded through but there is a conveniently placed wind shelter next to it.

  3. Gåsen to Vålastugan - 15 km (5-6 hours). Very muddy, in some sections the path just disappears into a swamp. A stream needs to be waded through.

  4. Vålastugan to Vålådalen - 19 km (5 hours). Downhill, no real obstacles.

Ascension of Syltoppen

The highest peak in this part of Sweden. The rountrip from the station is 11 km and takes around 6 hours.

Upfront cost

ItemCost
Mountain huts1,850 kr
Trains2,519.5 kr
Breakfast in STF Storulvan125 kr
Transfer bus250 kr
Busses68 kr

Total: 4,812.5 kr

Gear

Clothes

  • Walking socks: 2x Decathlon walking socks, 1x pair of Falke TK2.
  • Merino boxers: 2x Decathlon Forclaz Merino, 1x Icebreaker.
  • Decathlon Forclaz Merino long sleeve t-shirt: x2 (base layer).
  • Decathlon Forclaz Merino short sleeve t-shirt: x1 (base layer).
  • Decathlon Softshell Forclaz Trek 500 jacket.
  • Decathlon 2-in-1 hiking pants.
  • Woollen underpants: for sleeping and in case it was too cold during the day.
  • Some basic outdoor gloves.
  • Cap.
  • Decathlon merino buff.

Equipment

  • Fjällräven Abisko Friluft 45L backpack.
  • Black Diamond Ergo Cork trekking poles.
  • Meindl Caracas walking shoes.
  • Marmot PreCip Eco Full Zip waterproof pants. (Did not use)
  • Decathlon water shoes, for river wading.
  • Decathlon 1.0 L water bottle.
  • Decathlon sleeping bag linen.

Other

  • Decathlon micro-fiber towel.
  • Sea to Summit Mosquito net (did not use, no mosquitoes).
  • Decathlon Forclaz 500 headlight.
  • Opinel knife n°09.
  • 100ml of liquid travel soap.
  • Sea to summit 2L dry bag for electronics.
  • 5V charger + cables.
  • Panasonic Lumix TZ100.

Food

I packed :

  • 140g of beef jerky.
  • 5 freeze dried meals (Real turmat, Summit to Eat, Lyo).
  • ~100g of nuts.
  • 1 chocolate bar (70g).
  • 1 thin dry-cured sausage.
  • 2 snackbars per day, resulting in ~400g of snackbars (Snickers, Swebar, Raw-food).
  • ~375g of granola.

Weather

Drizzle and wind for most of the hike. Temperatures around 10 °C. Did not need to use rainproof pants.

Weather

Post-mortem notes

  • Would be nice to take some powder milk next time.
  • Some carabiners would be useful.
  • Water shoes are not mandatory, but quite useful.

Sources

https://offthebeatentrack.se/destinations/sweden/storsylen.html