Gävle: Coast, Nature and Railway History

A paddling route on the Gavleån connects the urban area with quieter natural settings in the Testeboån Delta Nature Reserve. On land, trails also lead through coastal landscapes, forests and places of cultural and historical interest. During your stay in Gävle, you can focus on different themes—from the archipelago and nature to railways and industrial heritage.

Trails through coast and nature

The Norrlandets kustled is about 15 kilometres long and runs between Engeltofta and Marskärsudden. You can walk the entire route or individual sections. The landscape along the trail includes manor estates, holiday homes, deep forests and historic buildings. Thirteen information boards provide details about the route, barbecue and swimming spots, and the locations of toilets available in summer. As trail conditions and facilities can change, check the latest information before setting out.

Hemlingby offers a different natural setting. It is Gävle’s largest recreation area, situated in a large nature reserve just over three kilometres south of the city centre. Exercise trails and a nature trail wind through deep forests, herb meadows and open landscapes. Hemlingbybacken also has a snow park, as well as exercise and ski trails of various lengths for winter recreation. Operations may vary by season.

Axmar Nature Reserve is the largest continuous archipelago area on the southern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. At about 4,500 hectares, it is also the largest in Gävleborg County. Axmar Bruk has five walking trails, including an accessible loop around the cultural reserve and the English Park. The trails offer different ways to explore the landscape and its historic setting.

Water, the archipelago and coastal traditions

You can travel along the Gavleån from Forsbacka to Alderholmen by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard; shorter sections are also possible. This lets you choose a paddling route to suit your preferred distance, as it runs from the urban area to the quieter natural settings of the Testeboån Delta.

Limön is a summer island in the Gävle archipelago and has been a popular excursion destination since the 19th century. Limö fyr lighthouse was built in 1902 and served as a lighthouse, school and teacher’s residence. Bönan has maintained its fishing village tradition from the 17th century to the present day. The small Bönan fyrmuseum is dedicated to the area’s maritime history; opening arrangements may change.

Axmar Bruk also combines coastal connections with history: during the high season, markets are held there on Saturdays, with stalls including food crafts. Dates and participation may vary. Ruins, shipwrecks and foundation stones preserve memories of the ironworks’ history.

Railways and historic places

Fordonsmagasinet Tåghallen is part of the Järnvägsmuseet and houses one of the world’s largest collections of railway vehicles. The museum’s exhibitions cover Sweden’s railways, the people who worked on the railways and the future of rail travel. In summer, a historic railbus connects Tåghallen with the museum and also stops at Gävle Central on both the outward and return journeys. Check seasonal operations before your trip.

Forsbacka Bruk is one of Sweden’s best-preserved ironworks villages. Visitors can see buildings from the ironworks’ heyday, view a house from the 1920s and join guided tours; dates may change. You can rent canoes at Forsbacka Bruk for a paddling trip on Lake Storsjön. Check availability in advance. Old Gefle, with its cobbled streets and wooden houses, offers a different impression of historic architecture.

An outing with several worlds of experience

Furuvik combines animal encounters, an amusement park and a water park. Visitors can see animals up close, and animal presentations take place several times a day. The water park includes a large pool, a children’s pool, two fast water slides and an adventure tower. Operations and programmes may vary by season, so it is worth checking dates before your visit.

When choosing your hotel, it may help to first decide which experiences you want to shape your stay: coastal trails and the archipelago, nature trails, railway history or historic places. Seasonal offerings, guided tours and opening hours may also be a factor.

Discover more destinations: Hamrånge, Norrsundet, Bergby, Axmar, Forsbacka, Hedesunda, Gävle, Valbo.

For the main travel overview: Gävleborg.