In the land of Dunderklumpen you will find the most scenic tourist road in Sweden, Vildmarksvägen, one of the finest car museums in Europe, the largest aquatic garden in the country, the longest cave in Sweden, 1,900 km of groomed snowmobile trails and Jämtland County’s largest outdoor market. Still, the greatest of it all is Dunderklumpen.

Strömsund Munipality is characterised by the Frostviksfjällen massif to the north. From the peaks, the waters stream down gentle valleys with magic forests and along fertile fields.

The surroundings are just as magic and beautiful so as to set your fantasy skipping; which is what happened to Beppe Wolgers, the creator of Dunderklumpen.

Vildmarksvägen, meaning ‘the wilderness road’, starts in Strömsund and leads up along Ströms Vattudal, past Gäddede and straight up on the bare mountain and then further on into Lapland.

Shortly before Gäddede you can explore the longest water-filled canyon in Europe with the waterfall Hällingsåfallet, 43 m high. A little bit further to the north is the longest cave in the country, Korallgrottan – so far about six km have been explored. Here you can try crawling the narrowest section of the cave just like a speleologist.

Chances of seeing bear are great in the land of Dunderklumpen. No other area in the world counts as many brown bears. Here are also many elks but those who have missed them can visit Mountain Moose en route to Ankarede. The tame elks even accept pats.

Mighty waterfall

Hällingsåfallet is an extraordinary attraction. The 800 m long water-filled canyon, Northern Europe’s longest, leads up to the 43 m tall and mighty waterfall. You can either drive to the falls or walk the hiking trail (2.5 km) along the edge of the canyon. Even the physically disabled will find it easy to visit the falls, also featuring a shelter and fireplace. 

Underground

Korallgrottan, the Coral Cave’ is the longest cave in the country and so far just over six km have been explored. You can try crawling like a speleologist, but only in the company of a guide since there is no light and no ramps. 

More underground

Just north of Korallgrottan lies the unique karst landscape of the River Bjurälven with sink holes, caves and the river at times visible above the ground. Recently Sweden’s longest underwater cave was discovered here, its length is 520 metres. 

Sami culture

Ankarede is an old Sami religious place and the southernmost in Sweden. The place is located in scenic setting on the shores of the River Lejarälven near the outlet into Lake Stora Blåsjön and has a heritage as a meeting point for both the Sami and the inhabitants. Still today, every Midsummer sees the celebration of a church weekend in Ankarede, bringing life back to the tipis and cabins. 

Dunderous market

The fair Dundermarknaden in Strömsund is an annual event staged in early July. Well-known artists, amusement park and Jämtland’s biggest outdoor fair. 

Racing from Norway to Sweden

The races Flyktingloppet/Flyktingerittet are two competitions staged between Nordli in Norway and Gäddede in Sweden. Flyktingloppet runs on cross-country skis and Flyktingerittet on bicycles and they both every year attract many world-class athletes. The races are organized to commemorate all the fugitives who fled from Norway to Sweden during WWII. 

Horse-trotting

Hotingtravet is a must for all interested in horse-trotting races. One week in July is dedicated to virtually daily races besides many other events. Many successful and well-known drivers are in place. 

An area with a heritage

The homestead museum Hembygdsgården in Strömsund lies in scenic setting in Ströms Vattudal. Here are some 20 old buildings and a large utensil collection. The six metre tall statue ‘Jätten Jorm’ from the film ‘Dunderklumpen’ stands to welcome all the visitors. In the summer months also including a handicraft fair with Café Tomten open. 

Car museum

Ivars Bilmuseum in Hoting has a collection of hundreds of old and vintage cars and some 50 motorcycles. The collection includes ‘Kungabilen’ (the Royal Car), a Princess van den Plas, originally owned by King Gustav VI Adolf. The museum was started by the leading car collector of Norrland, Ivar Ericsson, who, as a hobby, started collecting cars in the 1960s.

Beppe and Dunderklumpen

At Beppe-muséet, Öhn in Strömsund, you can indulge in the multi-faceted life of Beppe Wolgers; his authorship, painting, children’s books and films. Beppe Wolgers lived at Öhn large parts of the year and this is where he found inspiration for many of his works. Welcome to the museum and the farm also with several animals. 

Motoring

In late August there is much activity on the roads in Hoting with the staging of the event Hoting Old Car Meeting: vintage car rally, cruising, dancing and entertainment for all of three days. 

The road of the senses

Sinnenas Väg is a week-long event in Hammerdal and surroundings. Throughout the week, the various craftspeople along the route open their studios to visitors. Farm dairies, egg-producers, smiths, bakeries and joineries are but some of the attractions. 

Snow and ice

In this part of the world, winter starts early and there is so much on offer. Go for a snowmobile drive or cross-country skiing on the many groomed tracks and trails. Maybe you will find your favourite fishing waters where the Arctic char and other game fish are eager to bite. Stop and listen to the gaggle of the ptarmigan on the mountain slopes, enjoy the sun and the wind on your face. If you are aiming for alpine skiing there are several family-friendly resorts to choose from,

Or why not opt for a snow-shoe hike in the moonlight. An alternative is to let the sled dogs pull you across the vast snowscapes. More information at frostviken.se and stromsund.se.