Beech forest autumn glow

This autumn came somewhat later compared to earlier years so it wasn't till  beginning of November we were off to Sundbyholm (outside Eskilstuna) to shoot the amazing colors of the beerch forest.
As the weather changed rather quickly so did the colors of the leafs too, from green to bare trees in just two weeks.. Swoosh...


Why this forest you might wonder, well it is counted as the largest and most northern non-planted beech forest in Sweden. There may be smaller higher up in the country but not even close to this one.
Also, there is this beautiful avenue that dates all the way back to the 1700:s that leads up to Sundbyholm castle. Definitely worth a trip if you are around!
                                                                                                     

Weekend in Dalarna

As mentioned earlier we are doing our best to enjoy and explore our gorgeous Sweden. This time heading off to Dalarna and a small village Tällberg famous for its beautiful location on the shore of lake Siljan. Puls to it all being that it has good SPA hotels; sauna here we come! 
Dalarna is famous for its decorated wooden horses (Dalahästen), Mora knifes, Falu red paint, special architecture of the wooden houses, Falu copper mine (UNESCO world heritage site) and of course traditional midsummer celebrations.
In the end we didn't spend that much time in the spa as we were just having too much to do and see. Hiking in the amazing autumn colors where paths were bathing in bright yellow leafs fallen of the birch trees. Do I have to say anything more?
I was out both evenings/nights taking pictures of the MilkyWay hoping to get a glimpse of Aurora. It had made appearance earlier that week but not while we were there :) Better luck next time!
And it will be a next time as we have to see this amazing area during spring time. Expectations are high.

View from Tällberg with Lake Siljan in the background.

Lake Siljan, early morning

Birch trees

MilkyWay with Lake Siljan in the foreground.

Dala-pig, dala-hourse and dala-rooster

 

Even the old phone booths are decorated

Lake Siljan from the shore in Mora

Beautiful colors and reflections from Hjortnäs Brygga

Sunset at Lake Siljan

Lake Siljan

Falu Copper mine

Hiking in the Dolomites

At my wife´s work once a year they organize a long-weekend hiking trip somewhere where its possible to get in 'couple' of hours (first year we moved over to UK they came over and we hiked in Peak District). Well, Why do I mention this? I get to tag along :))

This time it was 15 of us in the group ready to hike for 4 days the awesome Dolomites.

It was the second week in September and it still pretty warm considering that most of our time was spent between 2000 - 3200 m. The nights were cold with temperature just below zero, and at higher grounds even some snow. It didn't actually effect us as we were staying at the cabins.
Day One started with an 6 o'clock flight from Stockholm to Innsbruck. Finally in St.Ulrich a cable lift took us up to the mountain range and what a breathtaking views were waiting for us up there.
Unknowingly we had a 6-7 hour of hiking in front of us and at this altitude everything get a bit tougher, although the weather and the amazing scenery kept the spirits up (might have been the sweets and the energy bars too :) ).
Once we arrived, starving and a bit chilled, the amazing Italian dinner was served with a side of crisp beer. It didn't take many minutes before most of us crawled to the bed in order to rest the sore legs and recharge for the days to come.
The following days the hike just got tougher with steep climbs and sections of Via Ferrata, and on top of that the even higher altitudes. Even if this could easily broken anybodies spirit, the company and the weather kept us going with amazing attitudes and lots of encouragement to each-other.
The food and drinks, a mix of Italian, German and Austrian, just added to the energy needed for the rigours awaiting :))
What an amazing Adventure!
                                                                                               

                                                                                           

Tatra mountain hike, Zakopane, Polen

Almost straight from Sarek we were off to Zakopane in Polen. Of course for more hiking.
As you might remember we have been in Zakopane earlier, a wedding around a year back. As we at that time didnt have time for hiking it was decided to that we were just had to come back. The mountain range there is called Tatra and is quite similar to the Alps. The highest peak in Polen is Rysy with 2499m although in the whole range the highest is Gerlach in Slovakia with its 2655m.
We spent 4 days hiking. As its a National park wild camping is not allowed so we only did day trips setting of from Zakopane. It is of course possible to stay in the park but then in huts.
We climbed few high peaks, but also did some hiking in the valleys and woodlands. In some of the valleys it was possible to go through caves which is lots of fun and gives that extra adrenalin kick :)
I must admit that Tatras delivered! They were impressive and the hikes can be made rather tough as the range is rather steep. One thing I didn't like was the crowds of people. Didn't really feel that we were in the wild. Some of the peaks are so popular that you have to stand in line for hours just to get to the top.
Anyhow, after a whole day of hiking we would choose a restaurant in Zakopane and spend the evening resting and refuelling. The food and drinks (beer) were just amazing. The list can be made long; Golonka, lamb, mutton, fish, sausage, cheese and many many more :) 
Just tasty and really cheep (especially for Swedes :) )

Thanks Krystian and Kasia for the company ;)

More adventures to come ...
                                                                                               

           

Björnlandet Nationalpark and Lappstaden in Arvidsjaur

While driving back from Sarek we passed Arvidsjaur and stopped quickly at Lappstaden.
A Lappstad is a 'village' containing houses/tents (kåtor) near a church where the Sami people spent the night while visiting. A lappstad can also be referred to as 'Church town'. This one is the biggest and best kept in the world with its 80 houses/tents built in the late 1700s.
From here we drove even further south to a small national park called Björnlandet just outside of Frederika. We spent the night there camping after some shorter hikes, one being to the highest top in that area with an view point over the entire park.
It's a nice little park with very old forest. Some of the trees being over 450 years old. The terrain has lots of high cliffs which makes it rather inaccessible outside the paths. Something else interesting was the clear scars of several large fires in many of the old tree trunks.

Next blog -> Tatra mountain in Polen!
                                                                                                

Sapmi art

Lappstaden in Arvidsjaur

Storehouse, Lappstaden

Lappstaden

Björnlandet NP, A lot of tree lichen

Trace of wood fire

A very big larva, cossus cossus 80-100mm

Björnlandet NP

Evening light at Björnlandet NP