Västernorrland: Coastal Landscapes, Forests and History

High islands, steep shores, smoothly polished rocks and deep bays shape the landscape of the World Heritage Site Höga Kusten. At Höga Kusten, the land has risen by about 290 metres over the past 10,500 years. In Nordingrå lies Halsviksravinen, a lush deciduous forest ravine in the World Heritage Site. Marked trails lead through the area, which also has a sandy beach. More than 260 species of vascular plants have been recorded there. Those interested in the coast, forests and plant diversity will find different facets of the landscape here.

Hiking Trails and Coastal Landscapes

Skuleskogen National Park offers several dozen kilometres of hiking trails, numerous rest areas, campsites and open shelters for overnight stays. The coastal trail Kuststigen runs between the park’s southern and northern entrances; Tärnettholmarna can be reached on foot from both entrances. All three entrances have accessibility-adapted facilities. These include wooden ramps, covered information terraces and nearby wheelchair-accessible composting toilets.

The distinctive Slåttdalsskrevan is also part of this landscape: the rock fissure cuts through Slåttdalsberget and is 200 metres long, 30 metres deep and seven metres wide. From the mountain summit, the view extends over Skuleskogen and Höga Kusten. The coastal route and rock formation therefore offer different focal points when planning a hike.

Rotsidan presents a different kind of coastline: this four-kilometre stretch is characterised by flat rock slabs smoothed by the sea. An accessibility-adapted path leads from the car park to the rocks; the gravel path and wooden ramps can be used with a pushchair or wheelchair. In the Smitingen area, the Klubbsjön runt loop is an easy 2.7-kilometre trail. An accessibility-adapted footpath leads to the rest area at Klubbsjön. Smitingen-Härnöklubb Nature Reserve also has five large sea-washed tunnel caves. In addition to its sandy beach, Smitingen offers several hiking trails, rest areas and fire pits.

Nature Reserves with Different Highlights

Västernorrland has more than 230 nature reserves offering different kinds of nature experiences and varying levels of difficulty; the number may change over time. Some reserves can be visited year-round or reached by public transport. Jämtgaveln has more than 20 kilometres of trails, several overnight shelters, rest areas and more than 20 information points. Char fishing is possible in Lake Torringen; a fishing licence may be required.

Mjällådalen Nature Reserve offers several kilometres of hiking trails, numerous rest areas and two wind shelters for overnight stays. Fishing is popular in the Mjällån and requires a fishing licence. Check local regulations before fishing as well. The two areas combine hiking opportunities with different overnight accommodation options; Jämtgaveln also offers the possibility of char fishing.

Rock Carvings, a Fortress and Regional Culture

Nämforsen is one of Europe’s largest rock-carving sites and includes 2,595 rock carvings. They are dated to approximately 6,000 to 3,800 years before present, or about 4,000 to 1,800 BC. Visitors can see the rock carvings on Laxön and on the north bank. In summer, Nämforsens Hällristningsmuseum offers guided tours of the rock-carving area; the seasonal programme may vary.

Hemsö fästning offers a glimpse of another era. The fortress was built to defend the Swedish coast during the Cold War, is now open to visitors and is a state-protected historic building. It stands on 140-metre-high Storråberget and offers sweeping views of the sea, islands and coast. At Västernorrlands museum, visitors can explore life in Västernorrland over the past 9,000 years through exhibitions, experiences, an open-air museum and activities for children.

Traditional crafts are also part of the cultural offering: Mjälloms Tunnbröd is Sweden’s oldest flatbread bakery. At the visitor centre, you can learn more about the bakery’s hundred-year history and traditional craft. Larger groups can take guided tours of the bakery by booking in advance.

Travel Planning and Choosing a Hotel

The 100-kilometre Världsarvsleden hiking trail passes through Rotsidan Nature Reserve, by fishing villages and 29 small villages, and through several nature reserves. It connects with six official visitor destinations in the Höga Kusten World Heritage Site. Local buses from Kramfors and Ullånger run to the Nordingrå Vallen and Mjällom access points. Check routes and timetables before travelling. When planning your hotel stay, you can first decide whether coastal trails, longer hikes or cultural history will be your main focus, and then check the connections that suit your plans.

Discover more destinations: Sandöverken, Sundsvall, Sollefteå, Örnsköldsvik, Härnösand, Kramfors, Ånge, Alnö, Timrå, Bonässund, Torsboda.

For the main travel overview: Sweden.