Sveg

Quiet Härjedalen town on the Ljusnan, known for Inlandsbanan rail travel and a giant wooden bear

Sveg is the main town of Härjedalen in Jämtland county, a small settlement of about 2,500 people on the river Ljusnan in northern Sweden. It is a stop on the Inlandsbanan, the inland railway that runs through the Swedish north — a scenic journey that many rail enthusiasts consider one of Scandinavia's great routes.

The town is not a destination so much as a gateway to the mountainous western parts of the province, where hiking, skiing, and fishing draw visitors in season. In the centre of Sveg, the giant wooden bear — 13 metres tall and built from local timber — has become an unlikely symbol of the town's determination to attract visitors. Fishing on the Ljusnan is the main outdoor activity within the town itself; the river holds trout, grayling, and pike. Sveg itself is quiet and functional, with basic services and a handful of places to eat.

Guide

Getting There

Sveg is reached most atmospherically by the Inlandsbanan railway, which runs a seasonal summer service through the town between Mora (in Dalarna to the south) and Östersund and points further north. The railway station is central and within walking distance of everything in town.

By road, Sveg is on Riksväg 84, which connects it to Östersund (around 160 km to the northwest) and to the E45 further south. The drive north from Sveg into the mountains of western Härjedalen is scenic and largely empty of traffic.

There is no commercial airport in Sveg. The nearest airports are at Östersund (Frösön) and Röros in Norway. Long-distance buses serve the town from both directions on Riksväg 84.

Guide

Things to Do

Sveg is a small town with a handful of local attractions, but its real value is as a base for exploring the surrounding Härjedalen wilderness. Fishing on the Ljusnan, hiking in the mountains to the west, and arriving or departing on the scenic Inlandsbanan railway are the main activities.