Ockelbo: Hiking Trails, Industrial Heritage and Gardens

Rönnåsen is designated as a popular recreational area and excursion destination. The summit lies about 270 metres above sea level and offers views across a large part of northern Gästrikland. Mullestigen, a child-friendly nature trail, also runs along the mountain: small figures and puzzles draw attention to animals and nature.

Hiking and trails around Ockelbo

The Gästrikeleden trail passes through Ockelbo and offers several scenic sections. You can also hike the Gästriketriangeln in Ockelbo; it connects Rönnåsen, Åmot and Jädraås. Its sections are each 1.5 to 2 Swedish mil long, and the full route covers about 5.3 Swedish mil. This comparison puts the individual sections and the full route in perspective as you consider the scope of your hiking plans.

Cycling is also on offer: Biking Gästrikland has developed a mountain biking trail network in the Ockelbo region. For a trip where hiking and cycling play different roles, both hiking trails and a mountain biking network are part of what the area has to offer.

Lakes, fishing and a centrally located swimming spot

Ockelbo has 226 lakes and ponds, each covering more than one hectare. Anyone wishing to fish needs a fishing permit for all waters in Ockelbo. This makes it possible to combine an outing in nature with a clear practical requirement, without limiting the waters to just one activity.

A centrally located swimming spot is close to the train and bus services, as well as amenities and shops. This may be useful when planning your stay if you want to take a swimming spot and everyday necessities into account.

Industrial history and architecture

Wij valsverk is now a unique industrial museum. Historically, it was part of Ockelboverken, the most successful ironworks company in Gästrikland in the 18th century. In Ockelbo, you can encounter both the history of a single works and the wider importance of the ironworks company to the region.

Ockelbo’s present-day church was originally built in 1791–1793. After a fire, it was rebuilt in 1906–1908 using the surviving walls. The choir features a mosaic made of 300,000 mosaic tiles, covering an area of 35 square metres; these figures give a tangible sense of the work’s scale.

Oklagård combines a reconstructed early medieval stave church with an open-air museum in an area shaped by historic Swedish and medieval settings. The museum includes a small museum of woodworking tools and an exhibition about wood joints. Guided tours and study visits, coffee and pastries by pre-order, and folk music are among the offerings. Medieval events, storytelling and forest music are also offered in the authentic historic setting.

Gardens, family activities and local collections

Wij Trädgårdar showcases roses, summer flowers and lush vegetable plantings in a lively park. There is also a restaurant and a summer café. The park area also has a convenient, child-friendly beach. The children’s area, Barnens Trädgård, includes Pettson’s kitchen and carpenter’s workshop for play, as well as Findus’ fishing pond.

Pålsgården, a local heritage farm overlooking Lake Bysjön, is located on Lustigbacken. Ockelbo Hembygdsförening offers guided tours on request and has a collection of 58 textile printing blocks and tools from dyer Hallberg’s calico printing works in Ockelbo in the 1850s.

Guided visits are offered at Älgparken, and free parking is available at the entrance. When planning your excursions, you can choose from nature trails, hiking and cycling routes, garden and cultural experiences, as well as guided tours. The range spans everything from specific trail routes to insights into industrial, church and local history.

Discover more destinations: Ockelbo, Kolforsen, Jädraås, Åmotsbruk, Hudiksvall, Trönödal, Nordanstig, Ljusdal

For the regional travel overview: Gävleborg.