At Trumvallen Horse Ranch, you can explore the mountains on horseback and herd cattle like a real cowboy or cowgirl. An unforgettable experience awaits you here.

Trumvallens Horse Ranch is located in the picturesque village of Trumvallen, at the foot of the Vemdalsfjällen mountains. At the ranch, Johan Persson, together with his children Erica Persson and Max Svegare, keeps the traditional Härjedalen mountain pasture culture alive, but in the style of an American ranch.

During the summer, guests are welcome to experience life on the ranch

“On our multi-day tours, we combine mountain riding with giving our guests the chance to participate in herding cattle,” says Erica Persson.

She describes a typical three-day trip, which includes two overnight stays.

– For the first two days, we’ll be riding in the mountains. During the rides, we’ll talk about the plants, animals, and birds that are typical of the mountains.

Johan adds:

– We rarely ride in a line when we’re in the mountains. That makes for a better experience for both horses and riders. Plus, we want to protect the natural environment for our own sake and that of the landowners.

After two days of riding through primeval forests and across mountain moors, it’s time for the highlight of the trip.

“Then the guests get to help move all the cows,” says Erica.

During the summer, about 50 cows and calves from Svenstavik graze freely around Trumvallen. Moving the cows is part of life on the ranch, and herding them is part of the experience for visitors to the farm.

“We don’t herd the cows just for show; it’s part of the work involved in keeping free-range cows,” says Johan.

Free-roaming cows have been a part of the Härjedalen mountain pasture culture for hundreds of years. For the family at Trumvallen, it’s a highlight of the year when they get to release the cows onto the summer pastures in the valley.

“It really comes alive when the cows arrive; it’s just like it’s always been,” says Max Svegare.

“Our guests also find it interesting to learn more about what life on the mountain pastures was like in the past. We want to share that knowledge,” says Johan.

At the same time, Western influences are just as important a feature at Trumvallen. Several of the horses on the farm are of the American breeds—Quarter, Appaloosa, and Paint—but there are also retrained cold-blooded and warm-blooded trotters. Regardless of breed, all the horses are ridden in the Western style.

“It’s a more relaxed riding style that’s better suited to riding and working on the ranch,” says Johan.

To participate in a multi-day trip, you need to have riding experience, but you don’t need to have ridden Western-style before.

“We always keep our groups small so we have time to share our philosophy about horses with all our guests. Many people enjoy gaining an understanding of how we work with the horses,” says Johan.

It will be a crash course in Western riding combined with a guided nature tour in the mountains.

For the family at Trumvallen, life on the ranch is more than just a job—it’s their way of life. For many guests, too, days spent at Trumvallen have become a regular part of their lives, year after year.

– We have an incredible number of repeat guests. They say it feels like coming home.