Autumn in Sälenfjällen is quiet, colourful and cheap – but not everything is open. Here’s what you can actually do, activity by activity – hiking, cycling, berry-picking, fishing, spas – and what’s closed. The whole season – when the colours are at their best, what’s open month by month, how much a week costs – is listed in autumn in Sälen.
Colours, light and silence
When the summer mosquitoes have retreated and before the first snow falls, you get a calmer and more peaceful experience. The mountains glow in autumn colours, mists dance over the moors in the morning and the evenings offer clear starry skies. The same magnificent landscape as in winter, but without lift queues and crowds - and with a colour palette that makes every walk a postcard.
Hiking and nature experiences
Three routes that are suitable throughout the autumn, from the easiest to the longest:
- The Östfjällsrundan – the start of the Södra Kungsleden. A 9 km circular route starting from the entrance opposite the Högfjällshotellet, 2–3 hours. The first 2.5 kilometres are tarmac, with benches along the way, up to the wind shelter at Köarskärsfjället; from there, the path is gravel all the way to Östfjällsstugan, with footbridges across the bare mountain. An easy walk, and anyone wishing to turn back can do so at Östfjällsstugan.
- Stensjön. A 3 km round trip from the top of the Gustav Express, taking about an hour on boardwalks and gravel paths. In autumn, the summer lift is out of service – walk up from Lindvallen via the Kari Traa trail or opt for the full Sälfjäll route, 14 km via Stensjön and Hemfjällsstugan.
- Granfjället. Sälenfjällens highest peak, 949 metres, from Stöten – a half-day’s hike with views of the Swedish and Norwegian mountains.
All the leaders, area by area: walking trails in Sälen. Rest huts and wind shelters: rest huts along the trails. Packing list: day trip to the mountains. If you want the water to remain in the picture: summer bathing sites lie still but beautiful in September.
Cycling and autumn active days
Sälen Bike Park The lifts will operate into September; the lift-assisted cycling is closed during the autumn half-term, but the Sälen Trail Park for trail cycling is open every day until 1 November. After that, the gravel roads and trails in Rörbäcksnäs and the Vasalopp Arena – MTB in Sälen.
Fishing, berries and mushrooms
The mountain waters offer trout, grayling and char. Buy a fishing licence locally and take an evening stroll by the river or a quiet pond. In the forest, blueberries and lingonberries await in August-September and chanterelles in glades along the paths. There's something special about coming home to the cottage, lighting the fire and letting the smell of butter-fried chanterelles spread. Want extra comfort? Let a private chef refining the day's catch for dinner in the cabin.
Accommodation and relaxation
Autumn is sauna season. Houses with a sauna, hot tub and relaxation area: holiday cottage with spa in Sälen – Sälengodset and Fjällgodset has indoor and outdoor hot tubs, Olarslodgen Open fireplace at Sälfjällstorget. The day spa and swimming pool at Experium are open Thursday–Sunday throughout the autumn: Experium. If you want to avoid the morning rush: breakfast delivery. Autumn is also the time for retreats and workshops in the tranquillity.
With children in the autumn
Trollskogen and Hundfjället are open until 1 November; Experium is open for swimming from Thursday to Sunday and every day during the autumn half-term; and when the first snow falls in November, the sledge hill behind the house will do just fine. The autumn half-term in week 44 has its own programme featuring the climbing park, the Mountain Coaster and Kläppen’s autumn park: Autumn half-term in Sälen.
This is closed in the autumn
The ski lifts – Lindvallen – will open on 4 December, with the other areas opening on 10–11 December. The climbing park, Mountain Coaster and SummerSki are only open Friday–Sunday until 27 September and then during the autumn half-term. The golf course closes on 10 October. Most winter restaurants are closed until December; those that are open are: restaurants open in the autumn.
Practical tips
Aim for early September to mid-October for the most colour. Pack in layers: down jacket, rain shell, hat and water-resistant shoes. The days are getting shorter, so plan your routes and bring a head torch. Have a car if you want to move around freely - buses are less frequent, but the roads are quiet. Watch out for morning frost and weather changes, especially if you drive an electric car where to find charging points close to all mountain areas.
Is Sälen worth a visit in the autumn?
Yes – if you’re coming for the countryside, the peace and quiet, and the price, not for the range of activities on offer. The autumn colours start at the top, first on the bare mountain and then in the valley, and the autumn half-term brings the village to life. A week in autumn at Sälengodset costs 29,500 SEK compared to 82,500 SEK in winter – around 64 per cent less – and the same pattern applies to all the cottages: Rent a holiday home in Sälen.
Executive summary
Yes - Sälen is definitely worth a visit in autumn. You get the same great outdoors, but with a slower pace, warmer colours and time for reflection. It's the season for nature, enjoyment and tranquillity - a chance to recharge before winter sets in.