led us our way. Syndbyholm was our first destination. Thereby the small, functional equipped campsite relieved our travel cash additionaly a little bit. Thanks to a broken paysystem for the washing machine we were able to do our laundry free of charge and the sun was a good player in the drying process. Not only the wallet was happy about it.
In the surrounding area, we visited the Strömsholm slott first. The baroque castel is situated on a little island in the middle of a river and the associated village has been home to a horse stud for many decades. That is why there is still a riding arena with tribune right next to the castle and the village is one of Sweden’s most important equestrian centres. Additionally, we stopped at Anundshög, the largest burial mound found in Sweden so far. Who is burried there is still unclear. But considering its height of 14 meters and diameter of 60 meters, it is assumed that it must be a very important person. Besides, in the direct vicinity of the mound there are still 5 ship settings, small burial mounds and a rune stone. Within walking distance was the manor house Sundbyholm slott and the rune inscription Sigurdsristningen. The almost 2m high and 4m large inscription on bare rock dated back to the Viking Age and tells a part of a Norse legend with elements of the Nibelungen saga.
Who had a little smile in his face during reading the last part and looking at the castle, is said that we felt the same during reading the castle’s history. That is why we call it ” little, edgy brother of Moritzburg” 🙂
True to the motto “your home is where you park it” we made a stopover at Leksand for the next 2 days. On our way, we visited the Ornässtugan. The architecturally interesting wodden building from the 16th century is not only preserved very well but is also a important scene of Swedish history around Gustav Vasa. From the Campsite, with a fantastic view of Lake Siljan, we started to the waterfall Styggforsen the next day. On a short hiking path around the waterfall, we learned a lot about the formation of the so-called “Siljan Ring”. About 337 million years ago, a meteor hit the area and formed with 52 km diameter Europe’s largest crate. Tectonic heavings and following ice ages created its present shape. On satelite pictures, the crate can be seen from the lakes and rivers. The town of Rättvik is mainly known for its 628-meters-long boardwalk. It leads to an artificial created island from which a ferry used to take off, and now only sightseeing ships depart. The Siljan is too shallow around this area, so the ships were not able to get closer to the shore. At the end, we enjoyed a nice view over the lake from the Vidablick viewpoint.
Särna, the gateway to the fjäll (Scandinavian name for the nordic mountains and plateaus above the coniferous forest zone) was our next stop.
In the nearby Fulufjället national park, the Njupeskär awaits us. On different hiking trails (for our understanding, unfortunatelly partly already too touristically developed) we promenaded to the really impressive waterfall. It is with 93 meters height of fall (70 meters in free fall) Sweden’s biggest waterfall and eats its way through the red sandstone, which is 1500 million years of age. Afterwards we drove to Mount Städjan, near the town of Idre. Seen from south the mountain looks like a vulcano due to its cone shape. But viewed from all other sides, the name seems to make sense. Städ is the word for ambos. The gravel road between the summer and winter car parks offers a special feature. On a short part of the road is the so-called Trollvägen. If the car is stopped here and you put it in neutral and release the brake, you actually roll UPHILL!
However, a special highlight we experienced on our way to and from Idre. Here, rendeers were grazing right next to the road and weren’t annoyed by passing cars (driving slowly is important, because the animals might change direction spontaneously).
To conclude today’s report and for all those who like aphorisms [like Sven;-)]. On the camper van of our Austrian campsite neighbours in Särna you could read this saying:
Life is too short for SOMETIMES.
PS: It was also Sven’s birthday and I, Britt, made of course his desired homemade pan”birthday”cakes. You have to spoil your darling on his special day. 🙂
