Summer in Åre

A summer in Åre is everything at once. Hike with the dramatic landscapes of Jämtland as your backdrop, dive into rushing rapids or glassy alpine lakes, explore Åreskutan by bike, or hit the trails running through ancient forests and up to sweeping mountain peaks. Or slow it all down. Unwind at the spa, linger over great food and drinks at a local restaurant, stretch out on a sandy beach, feel the tug on your fishing line, or gather your friends for a lakeside sauna session.

Feel the pulse of summer in Åre

In early July, the trails come alive with bikes as Åre Bike Festival rolls into town. Days shift from high-speed races and clinics to social rides and laid-back après-bike in the evening sun. Later in the month, people gather by the shoreline as Music Evenings by Lake Åre let melodies drift across the water, with Renfjället in the background and the sky is slowly shifting through sunset colors.

As July turns to August, runners take to the mountain trails during Kia Fjällmaraton — a full week where thousands find their own rhythm in the alpine landscape.

Three events. Three ways to experience summer in Åre. And in between — everything else that makes you want to stay just a little longer.

Midnight biking on Åreskutan during Åre Bike Festival. Photo: Emrik Jansson

Summer evenings in Åre. Photo: Emrik Jansson

What's new in 2026?

For the second year in a row, we’re celebrating Midsummer Day with extra long hours on Åreskutan. The lifts stay open until 18:30, leaving plenty of time for long rides, hikes across the mountain, and quiet pauses where the views can take their place. The light lingers over the valley well into the evening — and the pace is welcome to do the same.

Summer 2026 also brings new Midsummer traditions, 50 years celebration of the Cable Car (Kabinbanan), more live music experiences, boat tours on Lake Åre, memorable food experiences, and an unusually long season—all surrounded by the endless light of the Scandinavian mountains.

Summer in Åre

Month by month

Photo: Emrik Jansson

June

The Summer Season kicks off at the start of June when the lifts open for cycling and hiking. This is a month of contrasts as the valley is in bloom while the mountain tops are still dusted with snow. The village is relatively quiet up until around Mid Summer’s Eve: A real highlight of the season as it is the brightest day of the year and celebrations are due course.

Music by lake Åresjön. Photo: Emrik Jansson

July

July is the high season of the summer, not least because of all the events that take place, from marathons to more leisure-like trail running events and more. This is also a time of warmer bathing temperatures and drier trails. Åre Strand (beach) and the Marina are popular hang-outs for warm summer days, and evenings.

Lace up your hiking shoes and head straight out into the mountains. Photo: Darren Hamlin

August

August may offer warm days and humid summer nights but also crisper dittos. If July is the high season of the summer, August is high season for foraging the goods of nature (don’t miss the couldberries). Fjällmaraton, the Mountain marathon week stretches from late July into August. As last year, both the Stjärnliften chairlift and the Kabinbanan cable car will be running every day throughout August.

September brings plenty of delicious flavors to the mountains. Photo: Darren Hamlin

September

If you ask the locals, September is the best time for hiking and biking. The colors are grand and while the temperatures are getting colder, the days can be warm and sunny. The hunting season starts on September 1st. You can still spend time in the forest and the mountains but keep an eye out for warning signs and be aware of included areas.

A visitor’s guide

Åre with kids

Åre has something for kids of all ages. Many of the activities are easy to access and suits smaller children, such as the cycling tracks in Björnen which is a perfect choice for the smaller ones for which the larger trails might be a bit too rough. Pump tracks really are a lot of fun for kids of all sizes, as well as adults, and so is hiking, especially when the trail allows you to explore your surroundings.

Taking a tour on the funicular (Åre Bergbana from 1910) or the Cable Car (Åre Kabinbana est. 1976) is a proper adventure and, surely, no one’s ever too young or old to go swimming. If inside swimming pools tickles your fancy, Holiday Club’s Pool and Sauna World is perfect, and if you prefer a little sand between your toes, there are the natural wonders of Ullån beaches in and around Åre that are perfect for children.

Also, plan an excursion with a picnic for at least one day of your stay and make sure to eat at one of the restaurants or cafées.

Åre with friends

For any group of friends, and no matter differences in preferences, Åre has something to offer for almost anyone. Regardless if the goal of your trip is to max out on activities or if it’s to just hang out and enjoy each others company, if it’s to celebrate someone’s birthday or to find a mix of all of the above, we are confident you will have a great trip. If you wish to plan beforehand, go trough our list of activities, and if you wish for some assistance, check out our local activity experts. If you rather just go with the flow: Book your trip and your accommodation and let the rest sort itself out.

For the active visitor

Cycling, hiking and trail running are the most popular activities in Åre during the summer, but they’re far from the only ones to tackle. The waters in and around Åre are optimal for canoeing and kayaking, regardless whether you’re looking for clear or white waters. Paragliding is a given if you’re looking for a rush of adrenaline and a unique view of Åre from above, as well as Björnen’s climbing park and the indoor climbing centre in Duved. Åre Destination’s members are experts at filling your days in Åre with fun and exciting activities, so don’t hesitate to make contact!

For the Bon Vivant

Good food, drinks, wellness – Åre has everything you need to maximise your comfort, delivered by people who know what good hospitality should feel like. Mix hiking with amazing views and walks with browsing of the valley’s restaurants, take a yoga or training class and treat yourself to a massage or spa treatment. Enjoy the view in the pool with your friends, and sleep in while savouring the feel of your comfortable bed laid with white, starched sheets. Take a stroll through the village, pop in to one of the many shops and bring a physical memory with you back home. And if the sun is out, there are few things as enjoyable as chilling on an outdoor terrace with a good drink. In short: Let Åre take care of you!

Important information

About nature

Summer is the time when nature grows and recovers and we need to let it. This is also when the next generation of fauna is born and grows up. Therefore, it’s important that we show respect for the processes and make the right choices in nature. For one, the lands are extra sensitive when wet, therefore, make sure to keep to trails that are open and avoid stepping outside them to not cause further harm to the ground.

The Swedish Right of Public Access, and our article on outdoor etiquette, makes it easy for us to do things right.

About the weather and the water

The mountain weather is whimsical at best. Se alltid till att väskan är packad med regntäta och extra kläder, som mössa och vantar, och extra energi. Kolla vädret i ofta i närtid till avfärd.

Make sure to always back your bags with waterproofs and an extra set of warm clothing, such as gloves and a hat, and some extra energy bars or similar. Always make sure to check and double check the weather apps before you go. The conditions may change very fast. The water is mostly clean but never drink water from still ponds or slowly running streams. And even though there’s usually plenty of water sources around, there’s no guarantee. Make sure you have some water with you from home in case you aren’t able to find any.

Safety

Always bring a mobile phone. However, you can’t be sure to have coverage everywhere. If you’re going on a longer hike, it might be good idea to bring an analoge phone with longer battery time and coverage. Satellite Communication Devices or Emergency Messengers/Personal Locator Beacons are the safest ways to make sure you can sound the alarm if needed. Regardless if you plan on a longer hike or a shorter one, let someone know which route you plan on taking, when you are leaving and when you plan to come back.

Plan your trip

How do you get to Åre? Where do I stay and where do I find the necessities when I’m here? There are always plenty of questions to be answered when planning a trip but don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

See and do