Bollnäs: Iron Age, Linen and Nature Trails

In the centre of Bollnäs, Onbacken preserves the remains of a complete Iron Age settlement dating from around 100 to 500 AD. Information boards provide insights into life there and allow you to take a self-guided walk through the remains. A visit offers the chance to explore a tangible place from Bollnäs’ early history.

Culture and City History

Bollnäs kyrka was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. Alongside Vadstena Abbey Church, it has Sweden’s largest collection of medieval church sculptures. For a cultural visit, Bollnäs also offers different perspectives on art and city history: centrally located Bollnäs museum och konsthall is an art gallery with changing exhibitions throughout the year; Bollnäs museum presents the city’s history.

The Bollnäsbarnen exhibition explores the lives of children and young people in Bollnäs around 1900. The exhibition programme may vary. Those interested in how the town has developed can find a subject from the everyday lives of younger generations alongside older architectural and art history.

Linen Craft in Växbo

Flax processing and linen production are at the heart of Växbo. Trolldalen preserves one of the best-preserved settings from the heyday of flax processing. The site is open at all times. In summer, guided tours of the preserved flax-drying kiln are offered; check the latest dates before visiting.

Växbo Lin is one of Sweden’s few remaining linen mills. Visitors can see the ongoing production, with its many mechanical looms. Guided factory tours show the process from raw material to finished product. The visit offers an impression of both the work at the looms and the linen-making process.

Trails and Nature Areas

The Stora and Lilla Bolleberget area has a well-developed network of paths and routes for hiking, running and cycling. The routes are between 1 and 17 km long. Tjuvberget Nature Reserve lies south of Bollnäs, nearby, by Lake Övre Herten. From the car park at Tjuvberget, a winding path of about 750 m leads to the summit.

The Hälsingeleden trail passes the southern part of Tjuvberget Nature Reserve. There is a fire pit and firewood there. Another trail follows the Galvån River between Galvsjön and Nyfors. The Galvån Nature Reserve is particularly valuable for its rich birdlife and trout population. These options give nature lovers several ways to explore: trails through a nature reserve, routes of varying lengths and a riverside route to discover on foot.

Summer, Events and Water

Bollnäs Folkets Park on Långnäs udde dates back to the 1920s. Events featuring local and visiting artists are held there in summer. There are also numerous activities for children and young people; individual offerings vary with the season. Grillnatta takes place every year on the last Monday in July in the centre of Bollnäs. Check the programme for the relevant year. One leg of the Hälsingehambon is danced on Långnäs udde; the event programme may change here too.

Långnäs bathing area has a sandy beach and a ramp into the water. To experience Bollnäs and the Ljusnan Valley from the water, you can take a trip on the S/S Warpen: all trips depart from the landing stage by the Långnäs marina. In summer, the Landabanan offers train rides with kolbullar, coffee and music. Check the current operating days for these seasonal rides. Bollnästravet is also a recurring event venue, hosting around 40 harness races per year.

Getting There and Planning Your Stay

Four local bus routes operate in Bollnäs, running twice an hour during the day on weekdays. Frequencies and connections may change, so check your journey against the current timetable. The journey from Bollnäs to Gävle takes about an hour. Direct trains take about 2 hours and 30 minutes to Stockholm and about 2 hours and 45 minutes to Östersund. Check the current connections for these journeys too.

When planning your stay, you can focus on the things that interest you most: city history and exhibitions, linen craft, nature trails or seasonal events. Checking dates for summer tours, train rides and events, as well as suitable connections, in advance makes it easier to plan your day. You can then search for a hotel in Bollnäs based on your travel plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Bollnäs, Hanebo, Segersta, Rengsjö, Vallsta, Hofors, Ljusdal, Hudiksvall.

Return to the main travel overview: Gävleborg.