Helagsfjället
1,797 m
Sweden
Also known as Helags, HelagsfjällAlso known as
Helags · Helagsfjäll
- Elevation
- 1,797 m
- Prominence
- 1,133 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Medel (medium) (fjallvandring.com)
Sweden's highest summit south of the Arctic Circle by a marked trail: a 12–13 km walk-in from the Kläppen car park near Ljungdalen to the STF mountain station, then a 9 km, 750 m round trip around the south side of the cirque that holds Helagsglaciären, Sweden's southernmost glacier.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 18.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,036 m
- −70 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,797 m
- Time Up
- 6h 20m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 5h 41m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Kläppen car park, about 6 km beyond Ljungdalen, a signposted, well-trodden trail climbs gently up Kesudalen past Kesusjön, through birch forest and onto the open fell to STF Helags Fjällstation (about 1,040 m); allow at least 4–5 hours. Alternatively park at Torkilstöten and take the lift onto the fell, also a marked trail of about 12 km. Most people climb the summit on the second day. From the mountain station the marked summit trail heads south-west and follows the rim of the cirque on the south side, over bouldery ground above the glacier, and rounds the southern end of Helagsglaciären to the summit cairn and register; it is about 9 km and 750 m of ascent for the round trip, 5–6 hours (STF's guided day takes 7–8 hours). STF recommends using the marked south-side trail both up and down for safety. The descent is steep in places with loose gravel. In good weather and visibility you can instead descend the unmarked north side of the cirque towards the trail to Gåsen and back to the station; it crosses rock slabs that are slippery when wet and finishes through a steeper section.
Start
Kläppen832 m
- Torkilstöten lift (alternative start onto the fell)
- Train to Östersund, bus to Ljungdalen, then taxi to Kläppen.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kläppen → Helags Fjällstation | 13.6 | 273 | 59 | 3h 55m |
| 2 | Helags Fjällstation → Helagsfjället | 4.5 | 765 | 11 | 3h 08m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Kläppen832 m
Car park with toilet and wind shelter, about 6 km from Ljungdalen
- Feature: Kesusjön789 m
- Hut: Helags Fjällstation1,043 m
- Summit: Helagsfjället1,797 m
Key Passages
- Bouldery cirque rim above Helagsglaciären
- Steep, gravelly descent
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
Helags (1,797 m) is Sweden's highest mountain south of the Arctic Circle and the high point of Härjedalen, with Sweden's southernmost glacier in its eastern cirque. A marked trail from the STF mountain station makes it a popular, non-technical full-day summit.
Helagsfjället, usually just Helags, rises in the Jämtland mountains of central Sweden, west of Ljungdalen near the Norwegian border. Its summit, sometimes called Helagsstöten, sits on the rim of a deep east-facing cirque that holds Helagsglaciären, a niche glacier about 600 m long and up to roughly 50 m thick, the southernmost in Sweden. The name is usually derived from Old Norse helag, 'holy'.
There is no road to the mountain. A signposted trail of 12–13 km leads from the Kläppen car park near Ljungdalen to STF Helags Fjällstation at about 1,040 m, and from there a marked trail climbs 750 m to the summit. It is a long day, but needs no technical skills, and the area is also a classic for spring ski touring. The surrounding high fell is reindeer-grazing land and one of the main strongholds of the endangered Arctic fox.
Climbing Notes
Most people walk in to Helags Fjällstation on day 1 (4–5 hours) and climb the summit on day 2: 9 km and 750 m of ascent and descent, 5–6 hours on the marked south-side trail. Fit walkers who start early can do the summit on the day they arrive. The upper mountain is bouldery and the descent steep and gravelly, so good boots and knees matter. Weather changes quickly and the summit is exposed to wind: check the forecast, carry warm and waterproof clothing, and stay on the marked trail in poor visibility. The station rents tents, sleeping bags and mats and can arrange guides; in winter STF runs guided ski tours to the summit.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Not advisable
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Station closed; short days and severe cold
- Feb
- Winter season at the station starts in late February
- Mar
- Ski touring; station open (2027: from 5 March)
- Apr
- Ski touring; station open until mid-April
- May
- Thaw; station closed
- Jun
- Snow lingers and the Kesudalen trail is very wet; station closed until 1 July
- Jul
- Station open from 1 July; flowers
- Sep
- Autumn colours; station open until late September
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- STF Helags Fjällstation (76–100 beds) is open 1 July – 26 September and 5 March – 18 April in 2027; book through STF, ideally well ahead as it is popular.
- Fees
- Overnight fees at STF Helags Fjällstation
- Rules
- Reindeer-grazing land: keep dogs on a lead and do not disturb reindeer
- Arctic fox area: keep away from dens
- Carry out your rubbish; waste must otherwise be flown or driven out
- Getting There
Ljungdalen; Östersund is the nearest larger town
Åre Östersund Airport (OSD)
- Train to Östersund, then bus to Ljungdalen and taxi (Taxi Ljungdalsfjällen) to the Kläppen car park
- By car to Kläppen, about 6 km beyond Ljungdalen; or to Torkilstöten and up the lift
- Winter: snowmobile or tracked-vehicle transport from Kläppen can be booked
- From Ramundberget a 28 km trail (about 10 hours) also reaches the station
Hazards
- Weather
- Glacier
- Cornices
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,043 m
Helags FjällstationHutStaffed
76 beds · Summer 1 July – late September; winter late February/March – mid-April