Ovanåker: River Landscape and Hälsingland Farmhouses

The upper reaches of the Voxnan, historic Hälsingland farmhouses and a tradition of summer grazing that continues to this day give Ovanåker a distinctive character. Nature and culture offer different focal points: by the water, the river landscape and birdlife take centre stage; at the farmhouses, it is architectural styles, past ways of life and regional stories.

The Voxnan, lakes and wildlife

The upper reaches of the Voxnan are among the longest, best-preserved and least disturbed stretches of flowing water in central Sweden. The river’s canoe routes span a total of 250 kilometres and follow its banks, ranging from rapids to calmer stretches. As water conditions vary seasonally, keep this range in mind when planning a canoe trip.

Between Lakes Ullungen and Vägnan, the Sässmanområdet provides a habitat for a diverse range of insect and bird species. Birds mentioned here include sedge warblers and coots; their presence can naturally vary. There are also opportunities for waterside activities at Frostkilen beach, where you can swim and fish. A larger natural area, the Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve includes parts of Ovanåker Municipality and largely follows the Voxnan catchment area.

Hälsingland farmhouses and regional stories

Våsbo fäbodar offers a glimpse into the continuing tradition of summer grazing: farmers from Roteberg have brought their animals there to graze in summer for several centuries, and continue to do so. Since 2008, Våsbo has been the county’s second cultural reserve. Its preserved buildings, flora and maintained land offer an impression of what Swedish summer-farm life in Hälsingland may have looked like in the late 19th century.

Hälsingegård Ol-Anders is one of four visitor centres for the Hälsingland Farmhouses World Heritage property. The exhibitions include the history of the forestry machinery company ÖSA, which grew out of a village smithy. The Emigrant Museum there focuses on Brita Olsdotter and the religious group Erikjansarna: she left Alfta in 1846 to seek a new life in America. Access to Ol-Anders can vary seasonally, so check the latest opening information before visiting.

Hälsingegård Löka is a local heritage museum with a shop selling local handicrafts and a café. The main building, also called Storstugan, can only be visited as part of a guided tour; the farm is open in summer and by arrangement. Pallars is one of the seven farmhouses on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its features include two side wings, elaborately decorated entrance porches and a sleeping chamber with well-preserved wall paintings. Visits are possible seasonally or by prior arrangement.

Other cultural highlights range from the Hälgegården exhibition about the comic character Hälge and its creator, Lars Mortimer, to the Jim Reeves Museum in Voxna, which displays original photographs, personal belongings and awards belonging to the singer. Café Agnes is open in summer and serves, among other things, Hälsingland cheesecake, World Heritage pastries, open sandwiches, ice cream and coffee.

Plan trails and activities

The two Kulturstigen trails offer different experiences. The Kulturstigen in Alfta is about three kilometres long and uses 45 signs to explain local history. The Kulturstigen in Edsbyn is a 2.2-kilometre walking route: it leads from Bärstabron by the library along the Voxnan to Bågbron, passes Sommars Café and continues up to Norra torget. Their lengths and content make it easy to compare a trail with historical information signs and a route along the river.

The Pilgrimsleden Hoppet is a seven-kilometre hike to Ovanåker Church. Trail conditions can vary seasonally. For mountain biking, the Kygelvallen recreation area has a six-kilometre route that runs mostly through the forest as a varied singletrack; conditions can also change here. Edsbybacken on Gårdtjärnsberget in Edsbyn has a vertical drop of 135 metres, two drag lifts, a magic carpet in the children’s area, five runs and a fun park. It operates seasonally.

Stora Hälsingegårdars Väg is a 28-kilometre tourist route. It connects Hälsingegård Ol-Anders in Alfta with Alfta Church, Hälsingegård Löka in Gundbo and Hälsingegård Mårtes in Edsbyn, passing through several villages. For the return journey, bus route 100 departs from the road junction towards Edsbyn or Söderhamn; check the timetable for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Edsbyn, Ovanåker, Alfta, Voxnabruk, Viksjöfors, Söderhamn, Sandviken, Hofors.

For the overview of the wider region: Gävleborg.