Jarvso

Jarvso sits on an island in the Ljusnan with Ostberget rising behind it, and the hill has been developed into one of the larger downhill mountain bike parks in northern Europe, with lifts running through the summer and trails from beginner to serious. In winter the same hill is a small ski area. Jarvzoo, on the slope, keeps Nordic species - bear, wolf, lynx, moose, wolverine - along a raised boardwalk. The church in the village is unusually large for the population, seating over two thousand, built in the nineteenth century on the scale Halsingland's wealth allowed. Several of the UNESCO farmhouses are within a short drive.

Background

Järvsö, called Jarse by locals, is a locality and parish in Ljusdal Municipality in the province of Hälsingland, with 1,407 inhabitants in 2010 on 2.13 square kilometres. The first part of the name, Järv, is Swedish for wolverine. People commute from here to Ljusdal, Färila, Bollnäs and Gävle. The ski slope is called Järvsöbacken, and the larger hotels include Hotell Järvsöbaden and Bergshotellet. Järvsö is the hometown of Lill-Babs (1938-2018), known as a singer and actress. The place uses the slogan Alltid-Vackert-Nära, Always Beautiful Near, holds EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations certification and has a Division 3 hockey team, Järvsö IK.

Source: Wikipedia, "Järvsö"

Highlights

• A downhill bike park on Ostberget - lift-served through summer.
• Jarvzoo - Nordic species along a raised boardwalk.
• A very large village church - seating over two thousand.
• Halsingland farmhouses nearby - several within a short drive.

When to go

June to September for biking; winter for skiing. A full day.

Good to know

The bike park is the main draw and dominates the village in summer. Trails need equipment and some skill. The zoo circuit is long. Off-season the village is quiet.

Nearby

Ljusdal is north; Halsingland's listed farmhouses are around.

Key facts