The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Storsjön

A fine sandy beach with plenty of sunny and shady spots for a break. A composting toilet is also nearby.

From the higher elevations in the east of the island of Frösön, there are wonderful views of the city of Östersund. The 41 square kilometre island in Storsjön, Sweden's tenth largest lake, was the central town of Jämtland for almost a thousand years. It was only when the railway reached the city in 1879 that Östersund took over the role of centre. Frösön is named after the Nordic fertility god Frö, son of Njord and brother of Freja.

If you are on holiday in Östersund in winter, you don't have to go to the mountains to find a ski slope. Gustavsbergsbacken on the island of Frösön is just a few minutes from the city centre. The lift takes you up to Östberget. In the evening, the two brightly lit downhill slopes (there are two more at Ladängen on the other side of the mountain) are clearly visible from the city. Conversely, the view of Östersund's lights is also a great sight for skiers.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, there have been plans to build a centrally located church on Frösön. It was finally decided to build the new church as part of a larger shared facility with the new administration building and the community center. The winning proposal "Community" in the architecture competition among 62 applicants came from Lennart Tham. When the jury's decision was announced in December 1961, he had already died, but his drawings nevertheless became the basis for the design of the church. The building was inaugurated on September 3, 1966. Built from Helsingborg bricks, Hornsberg Church is characterized by a strict, block-like architecture, typical of the late modern church architecture of the 1960s. The bell tower is crowned by a cross and has copper-clad shutters. The church space, which can accommodate up to 200 people, tapers towards the chancel. On the altar wall hangs a wooden sculpture depicting Christ on the cross, designed by the sculptor KG Beijemark, who also designed the symbols of the evangelists on the pulpit. The sacristy and the baptismal chapel are adjacent to the church. The Hornsberg Church also has a parish area with meeting rooms, business premises and offices. The entire complex is interesting and unique because the church and the administrative buildings have been combined to form a common building complex with a uniform architectural expression.

A green and visitor-friendly oasis surrounded by the waters of Storsjön with impressive mountain views, many rest areas and gentle paths. Great opportunities for mushroom and berry picking, cycling or hiking.

There is a fee to visit the tower.

Bring your binoculars so you can watch the birds.

With an area of 456 square meters, Storsjön is the fifth largest lake in Sweden. The 420 kilometer long river Indalsälven flows through it. In Storsjön there are three islands: Andersön, Skansholmen and Isön, which are nature reserves. According to legend, a sea monster called Storsjöodjuret lives in the waters.