Bike
MTB
Finding flow on Frösön
Discover some of Sweden’s best flow trails right on the doorstep of Östersund.
Rumour has it that there is this magical little island named Frösön on the outskirts of Östersund, a stunning town hidden away in the green forests of Jämtland, that sits on some of the best flow trails in Sweden. And it’s true; a hill no higher than 150 meters conceals a much bigger and more intertwined MTB paradise than first meets the eye. Fast, rooty, rocky and steep trails meander down in a mismatch of natural and built features, with one thing in common - flow. Built by local enthusiasts, this place really is a small MTB paradise with some of the best singletracks in Sweden. Frösön delivers fun, fast and flowy trails and should be a mandatory stop for every rider heading in its direction.
Frösö-gold.
© Emrik Jansson
Östersund is making some noise
It’s a quiet Monday in mid-July when a group of excited riders gathers to ride some of Frösön’s rumoured flow trails. Frösön is Östersund’s (and maybe Sweden’s) new MTB-Mecca, with trails scattered all over the local hill Frösöberget - more specifically Gustavsbergsbacken and its adjacent hillside Ladängen.
The locals of Östersund have actually made more noise in the Swedish bike world than most in the last few years, with several different spots being developed solely for the purpose of mountain biking. With an increasing number of trails, the town is quickly making a name for itself as a go-to bike destination.
Östersund is only a stone's throw away...
© Emrik Jansson
“There is a lot of good riding around here for all abilities”, local rider and professional freeskier Johan Jonsson explains. He and local media squid (and bike whisperer) Niklas Wallner are acting trail guides for the day. “The locals favourite XC loop is the one around Bynäset and if you come to visit you also have to go to Fugelsta where locals have built a 13 km long trail that suits everyone - from beginners to more advanced riders. It’s really good fun.”
Finding flow on Frösön
Today’s mission, however, encompasses the more downhill-oriented trails on Frösön. A place that has quickly grown popular thanks to its well-built “enduro” style trails. Unlike a lot of new trials today, they aren’t built for the masses, but for the pure joy of riding down a hill. This, however, means that the trails demand more out of the rider - trail riding skills definitely come in handy - and maybe that is one of the reasons the hill has been so praised.
Finding flow on the off-camber roots.
© Emrik Jansson
Johan explains: “What’s special about the riding on Frösöberget is that it’s hand-built by really good riders. It makes a difference as even visiting pro riders are impressed by the combination of built vs. natural trails, flow and tech, pump and steeps. I often find that many other places try to build to please many different levels of riders, whereas Frösön has been built for one purpose only – to have as much fun as possible”.
Even visiting pro riders are impressed by the combination of built vs. natural trails, flow and tech, pump and steeps.
2 min
AM-banan with Johan & Ante.
As the group sets off down the first trail of the day, it doesn’t take long until squeaks of excitement are echoing through the forest. The trail is dry and dusty, with a good amount of natural roots and rocks to keep things interesting. It gently flows down the hillside, slightly off-camber at times, utilising every bump and natural steep in its way. There are even hard-packed berms to catch you and, tackled correctly, give you even more speed as you exit. It is impressive how, although the trail isn’t particularly steep, it still carries a ton of speed, with little or no need to pedal. Some sections are tricky, and there are even a few challenging corners towards the end, which require your full attention and send a pleasant burst of adrenaline right through the body.
Media squid and bike whisperer Niklas Wallner.
© Emrik Jansson
Freeskier and local rider - Johan Jonsson.
© Emrik Jansson
Åre local and first time explorer on Frösön - Daniel Pettersson.
© Emrik Jansson
Writer and today's mission manager - Hanna Jonsson.
© Emrik Jansson
A blank canvas
The trails here range from a quick 40-second blast to up to almost 2 minutes of flow, or even longer depending on your bike skills. After making it down the first trail, which is one of the longest ones, the group quickly reassembles and pedals back up for more. The next few trails are a mix of steep corners, meandering flow and fast singletrack.
Skråbanan is a favourite amongst many.
© Emrik Jansson
For some in the group, it’s their first time exploring the area. Daniel Pettersson and photographer Emrik Jansson are two Åre locals who, although living so close by, haven’t set wheels on these trails before.
“I am so impressed by how the trails are built”, Emrik says. “It’s like the hill is a blank canvas with the trail-builders carving out trails and creating their own little masterpiece. It feels like a very unique way of building in Sweden – so free and unrestricted”.
Finding flow on seemingly flat singletrack.
© Emrik Jansson
It feels like a very unique way of building in Sweden – so free and unrestricted.
And it’s true; the local trail builders – powered only by enthusiasm – have managed to squeeze in an impressive amount of trails on a very small area. All of which carry an even more impressive amount of techy flow, which is a rare find. It is evident that the builders know what they are doing.
Building in the fall line
With only 150 meters of descending to play with, the builder’s have managed to find both steep and mellow flow on the small hill. While some trails are over quickly, others seem to go on for longer than seemingly possible. It is surprising as none of the trails are built in a “let’s-drag-it-out-and-make-it-as-long-as-possible manner”. Instead, everything is built in the so-called “fall line”, i.e. the way the terrain naturally “falls” down the hill.
“What I like about the riding in Östersund, and especially the riding on Frösön, is that trails have been built in the fall line”, Niklas Wallner says. “Instead of trying to get as much time as possible out of each trail, they have built them shorter and faster creating a more natural flow”.
The trails follow the fall line of the hill creating a natural flow.
© Emrik Jansson
Another nice thing about the trails around here is that you can link up sections from different trails, creating new lines and trail combinations - something that makes the riding both more fun and challenging.
Some sections are impressively steep around Frösön.
© Emrik Jansson
Grabbing a “fika”
All trails can be found on the Trailforks app and are accessible either by lift or a short pedal. The T-bar lift on Gustavsbergsbacken run twice a week for riders, making it easy to quickly bash out some fast laps, or there is a paved road, with a nice chat-friendly gradient, that goes all the way to the top.
The perfect road back to the top?
© Emrik Jansson
As the lift is closed during the summer holidays, pedalling is the name of the game this morning, and even if the road to the top couldn’t be easier, eventually both the heat and exercise takes its toll on the group and energy levels start dropping off.
Luckily you don’t have to look far for a good cup of coffee around here, as perfectly located on top of the hill is a small, but delicious café, serving snacks and refreshment together with a stunning view over Östersund.
The café at the top couldn't be located any more perfectly.
© Emrik Jansson
“I like that there is a café at the top”, Daniel says smiling whilst eating a second portion of breakfast. It’s his first time exploring Frösön and after doing laps for a few hours he reflects on the area: “It’s hard to beat the soul and flow found in these trails. Every section is so well thought through – the steep sections have catch berms, the flatter ones are easy to pump and you don’t have to pedal to keep your speed. I can’t believe I’ve not ridden here before. I will definitely come back”.
It’s hard to beat the soul and flow found in these trails.
Worthy of a detour
After a morning of exploring it is clear that Frösön really does have something special. With trails made for the more advanced rider, but to be enjoyed by intermediate riders alike, and built with a flow that can only derive from a builder who knows his or her terrain, this place really is a little gem. The only downside is the small size of the hill, making the trails short. But again, rather short and fun than too long. So next time you’re in the area, make sure to visit this town-close MTB paradise as it is well worthy of a detour, and will most definitely leave you wanting more.
Well worthy of a visit.
© Emrik Jansson
Johan’s favourite trails:
- AM-banan
- Skrå-banan
- Ladängen Light
Niklas’s favourite trails:
- AM-banan
- Skrå-banan
- And finish off with Ladängen back down to my apartment.
2 min
Skråbanan with Johan and John.
Want to explore more riding in Sweden? Look no further:
