Kramfors: High Coast, Hiking Trails and History

Kramfors lies on the banks of the Ångermanälven. The landscape is part of an area where land uplift, hiking trails and historic sites offer a range of reasons to visit. The High Coast World Heritage Site is located in the municipalities of Kramfors and Örnsköldsvik. It was granted World Heritage status in 2000 because of the unique geology of its land uplift. The relative land uplift is 286 metres above today's sea level. As a larger visitor destination, the High Coast spans four municipalities: Kramfors, Örnsköldsvik, Härnösand and Sollefteå.

Hiking and geology in Skuleskogen

Skuleskogen National Park is located in the municipalities of Kramfors and Örnsköldsvik; it opened in 1984. The park has around 35 kilometres of hiking trails and three entrances: South, North and West. There are several cabins and the option to camp overnight. Visible traces of land uplift include summit plateaus and large fields of wave-washed stones. A crevice in the national park is 200 metres long, around 40 metres deep and about six metres wide. From there, the view stretches across Tärnättvattnen and Näskefjärden.

Skuleberget is 295 metres high and has been a nature reserve since 1969. Around 260 different plant species have been recorded there. If you want to reach the summit on foot, you can hike up from either side. The cable car takes visitors to the top in about 25 minutes, crossing the highest marine limit in the world. Check the cable car's operating information before your trip.

For a longer hike, the Högakustenleden offers different planning details: the trail runs for 128 kilometres through the High Coast World Heritage area and is divided into 13 stages. Each stage offers at least one place to stay indoors. The start and end points are designed to be accessible by car. The Högakustenleden also passes Valkallen viewpoint, 240 metres above sea level. From there, you can see the mouth of the Ångermanälven, the Högakustenbron, Hemsön and the Storön Nature Reserve.

Historical traces and cultural sites

The events of Ådalen 31 began in Lunde on 14 May 1931 with a peaceful demonstration from Frånö to Lunde. After the military opened fire, they ended with five fatalities. The demonstration route between Frånö Folkets hus and Lunde Folkets hus is about five kilometres long and is recommended as a hike. In summer, both Folkets hus venues have information and exhibitions; Lunde is also home to a well-known sculpture by Lenny Clarhäll.

The history of the witch trials is also present in the region. The Witch Museum at Hola Folk High School in Prästmon explores the trials and related events. A total of 71 people were executed at Häxberget in connection with the witch trials of 1674. The events are regarded as Sweden's largest documented mass execution in peacetime. When planning a visit, take seasonal exhibition information and current visitor arrangements into account.

On Svanö, industrial environments from the sawmill and pulp industries have been preserved, with buildings dating from the late 19th century and later periods. Historic visitor sites there are connected by easy-to-walk paths. Parking is available at Svanö Folkets hus and the harbour. Another kind of historical trace can be seen at the old church in Nordingrå: it was probably built around 1200 in the Romanesque style, with a narrower chancel. Its excavated ruins include seven surviving tombstones and reveal different construction phases over the centuries.

In Mjällom, Kulturfabriken is housed in a former shoe factory. It includes a café, art and craft exhibitions, a museum section and a flea market. The former factory building and its current cultural use give this visitor site a distinctive historical connection.

Getting here and regional highlights

Kramfors can be reached by bus, train, boat and plane. Kramfors resecentrum is the municipality's central public transport hub, bringing together train and bus services. Facilities there include seating, toilets and places to eat. From Kramfors, you can travel within the municipality as well as to Örnsköldsvik, Sollefteå, Härnösand and beyond. As service details may change, check current connections before travelling.

In Bjärtrå, High Coast Distillery offers guided distillery tours, a visitor centre, a café and lunch. Guided tours and tastings take place year-round; check dates and current visitor arrangements for your travel dates. KRAMFORSKAKA is cited as a sweet speciality in Kramfors; it is also known by names such as Chokladrutor, Kärleksmums and Kokosrutor.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lunde, Nordingra, Kramfors, Ullånger, Mjällom, Nyland, Noraström, Lugnvik, Salsaker, Ro, Bollstabruk, Docksta, Bjärtrå, Nordvik.

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