Tallbacken: River Landscape, Hiking and Nature

Visitors choosing Tallbacken as a destination can plan their stay around the activities on offer. The Flottarleden is a circular hiking route, while a canoe trip offers river scenery and breaks on the riverbank; rides on Icelandic horses add another activity to the mix. Fishing on the Svågan is also possible. The options differ in how they work and how they need to be planned. Consider whether you would rather hike, travel along the river or fish.

Landscape and river

The Tallbacken area is part of the Norra Hälsinglands gammelskogar forest conservation area. The Tallbacken LIS area is also associated with the national interests in the Svågan, outdoor recreation and nature conservation. Forest, river and recreation are therefore part of the area’s official landscape designation. The Svåga River is six Swedish miles long and has a drop of 350 to 400 meters. These figures describe the river as a whole, not the length or elevation drop of any individual trip.

Hiking the Flottarleden

The Flottarleden is a scenic circular hiking route; the start and finish are in the same place. Below Tallbacken, there is a viewpoint along the route overlooking the Svågan. Having the same start and finish makes the circular format the key planning feature, while the viewpoint offers a specific view of the river. Trail conditions may vary by season, so check them before setting out.

Canoe trips and riverside breaks

The canoe trip starts in Ängebo and follows winding stretches of the Svåga River, lined with deciduous trees. Steep rock faces and sandbanks alternate along the way. The sandbanks offer places to land, swim and picnic; access to individual spots along the riverbank may depend on water levels. The river’s course and water level shape both the scenery and the possible breaks on land. Before setting out, check the current arrangements for starting in Ängebo and keep an eye on seasonal river conditions. Compared with the Flottarleden, the focus here is on the changing riverbank rather than a circular route and viewpoint.

Fishing and horseback rides

The Svågan is considered a popular fishing river; recreational anglers particularly value its trout and grayling stocks. A fishing license is required to fish in the river at Sördala Naturcamping. Check the applicable license rules before fishing. Tallbackens Islandshästar & Midgård offers rides on Icelandic horses. The length and difficulty of the rides vary. Before your trip, ask about the current offerings and the details of each ride so you can factor the specific duration and requirements into your plans.

Facilities at Sördala Naturcamping

At Sördala Naturcamping, the service area includes basic dishwashing facilities with cold water, a refrigerator with a freezer compartment and a stove. It also has an outdoor toilet and a covered barbecue area with an open fireplace, benches and a long table. The facilities thus combine basic dishwashing and cooking options with a covered barbecue area.

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