ISSJÖDALEN LOOP WITH A DIP
Three and a half years ago, I decided to take control of my life and started exercising. The following summer in Åre was absolutely magical. I ran across the mountain tops and felt completely high on the fresh mountain air, but then the problems started. I developed issues with several different tendons in my feet, which led to several years of rehab and alternative training – with no running at all. But last autumn, I was finally able to start running again. The problems gradually disappeared over the winter, and now I’m finally back in Åre to run in the mountains!
On my first day, I decided to try the trail up to Isjödalen and the Pyramids. The weather was beautiful and pleasantly cool, around 13°C in the morning when I set off from the car park in Vallbo.
The first section was very rocky, but further up, the trail had been nicely prepared with gravel to reduce wear and tear.
A few kilometres later, I arrived at the Sami settlement of Grönvallen, where there was a beautiful old “herbre” and a few overgrown Sami huts that would have fitted perfectly into the Shire from The Lord of the Rings. I took a short break for a drink, but was soon on my way again.
Summer was in full bloom, the temperature started to rise and the sweat was pouring, but there were plenty of streams where I could refill my water bottle.
The trail gradually climbed higher, and after a while I reached Isjödalen. A magical valley surrounded by huge “gravel hills” that were formed when the inland ice retreated around 9,000 years ago.
And there, at the very end of the valley, it was – Lake Isjön. I had heard before that this little lake had incredibly beautiful blue-green water, and it was at least as stunning as I had imagined. Despite the freezing water, I simply couldn’t resist taking a dip. See more on that in the video below!
After the swim, I ate my sandwiches and had a bit of fika. It took quite a while before my feet started to feel warm again, but that problem was quickly solved once I got my running shoes back on and set off again.
The trail follows a small loop around the valley, and when I reached the higher ground, I could finally see what is known as the Pyramids. You’re not allowed to climb them, but their shapes are probably best appreciated from a distance anyway.
A few kilometres later, I was back down among the vegetation, and a few more kilometres after that I arrived at Grönvallen again. From there, it was the same trail back to Vallbo.
It turned out to be a fantastic first day in Åre. Isjödalen exceeded all expectations, and my body held up well despite the 24 kilometres I ended up covering. I’ll be back for sure!