(14)Day Fourteen: Exploring Fulufjället National Park and Medieval Treasures in Särna

Although our stay in Björnliden had to be completely re-planned and some of our original plans were missed, one highlight of our day was definitely exploring Fulufjället National Park and Sweden’s highest waterfall, Njupeskär. We definitely wanted to see this, so since it was an hour and a half drive from Björnliden, we decided to visit it on the day we were heading southeast anyway. After tidying up the little cabin (which looked nicer than when we arrived), we set off.

We drove along the red, pothole-free Dalarna road, realizing once again that we had forgotten to make sandwiches. Fortunately, there were plenty of picnic spots along Lake Älvrosfjorden, all in a beautiful setting. So, since we had all the ingredients with us, we quickly made a few sandwiches in the back of the car and enjoyed the fresh air and wonderful weather by the lakeside. At this point, we really felt that nothing could spoil this day!

Before reaching the town of Särna, we turned off onto the road leading to Fulufjället National Park. Upon arrival, the parking lots were quite crowded, with cars parked along the designated spots by the road. With a bit of luck, however, we found a spot in the large parking area. The park is close to the Norwegian border and its popularity is largely due to its wild scenery and pristine natural environment.

Fulufjället National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and not without reason – alongside the Njupeskär waterfall, there is Old Tjikko, a 9,560 year old Norway spruce, which is one of the oldest known trees in the world. The root system of Old Tjikko has been maintained for millennia and continues to produce new shoots.

The park is full of hiking trails that wind through wild rivers, pine forests, peat bogs, and high plateaus. With its typical tundra and alpine vegetation, it also provides habitat for various animal species such as moose, lynx, and different raptors.

Although we didn’t see many animals, as wildlife generally avoids humans, the beauty of the landscape was still astonishing.The weather in the park was quite interesting. It was cool, windy, and often changed suddenly in the high areas. I was constantly taking off and putting on my sweater, which was almost like a sport! The part of the park we could explore was nicely and naturally designed, which we didn’t mind for a change after so many rugged hikes. I also left my hiking boots behind and wore just light hiking shoes. At the waterfall, where we arrived after a steep wooden staircase, there were quite a few visitors, but we still managed to get close, enjoy the mist, and take a few photos.

After we returned to the parking lot, quite exhausted, we continued our journey towards Särna. Here, I wanted to visit the Särna Gammelkyrka, a medieval church with special wooden inlays. The exact construction date of the church is unknown, but it was likely built in the late 13th century or early 14th century. Its architectural style follows the forms of medieval Swedish churches and is one of the oldest remaining churches in the region. There were hardly any visitors, so we could look around peacefully.

Near the church is also Gammel Gården, a traditional Swedish village courtyard. This courtyard dates back to the 1800s and showcases the history and culture of Swedish rural life. The buildings are authentically Swedish in style, typically wooden structures adapted to the weather conditions. Gammel Gården is set in a beautiful natural landscape, making it a perfect place to present Swedish rural life.

We also planned to visit Nusnäs on this day, where the famous Dalarna horse workshops are located. Since our next accommodation was in Leksand, on the shore of Lake Siljan, Nusnäs would have been right on the way. Unfortunately, it was already closed, and our energy was starting to run low, so we postponed the visit to the following day.

The accommodation where we arrived was a small but charming, spotless place – one of the two Swedish lodgings that wasn’t self-cleaning. We arrived in the late afternoon, so we spent the evening resting, which felt really good.