An Iron Age settlement

In the centre of Bollnäs, Onbacken preserves the remains of a complete Iron Age settlement dating from around 100 to 500 AD. Information boards share insights into life there and make it possible to take a self-guided tour of the remains. They provide a thread to follow, connecting the preserved setting with glimpses into the everyday lives of its inhabitants.

Church, local history and art

Bollnäs Church was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. Alongside Vadstena Abbey Church, it has Sweden’s largest collection of medieval church sculptures. Bollnäs Museum and Art Gallery offers a different way to explore the town: the centrally located art gallery presents changing exhibitions throughout the year, while the museum focuses on Bollnäs’s history. The Bollnäsbarnen exhibition explores the lives of children and young people in Bollnäs around 1900; the current programme may vary.

Linen craftsmanship in Växbo

In Växbo, preserved craft history and ongoing production come together in different ways. Trolldalen preserves one of the best-preserved settings from the heyday of flax processing. A flax-drying kiln remains there, with guided tours offered in summer. Trolldalen is open at all times; check the current dates for seasonal tours before your visit.

Växbo Lin is one of the few remaining linen mills in Sweden. During a visit, you can see linen being produced on its many mechanical looms. Guided factory tours show the process from raw material to finished product. In Växbo, traces of an earlier stage of processing and a comprehensive insight into today’s production offer two distinct craft experiences.

Trails and nature experiences

The Stora and Lilla Bolleberget area has a well-developed network of trails and tracks for hiking, running and cycling. Routes range from 1 to 17 kilometres. Tjuvberget Nature Reserve lies south of Bollnäs, by Lake Övre Herten. From the Tjuvberget car park, a winding path of about 750 metres leads to the summit. The Hälsingeleden passes the southern part of the reserve, where there is a fire pit and firewood.

An easy path follows the Galvån River between Galvsjön and Nyfors. For a walk in an area close to the town centre, Hälsans stig is another option: a varied circular route that is well suited to walking. These trails differ in location and in the route details described; choose according to the nature experience that interests you.

Långnäs and seasonal events

Långnäs swimming area has a sandy beach and a ramp into the water. Bollnäs Folkets Park on Långnäs udde dates back to the 1920s. Events featuring local and visiting artists are held there in summer, along with numerous activities for children and young people that vary by season.

Recurring events also shape the calendar: Grillnatta takes place every year on the last Monday in July in the centre of Bollnäs. One stage of Hälsingehambon is danced on Långnäs udde. As event programmes may change, it is worth checking the dates for the relevant year before your trip.

Getting around and travelling from Bollnäs

Take the S/S Warpen steamboat to experience Bollnäs and the Ljusnan Valley from the water. All trips depart from the quay by the marina in Långnäs. Local bus services comprise four routes, which run twice an hour during the day on weekdays; check the current timetable before travelling.

The journey from Bollnäs to Gävle takes about an hour. Direct trains to Stockholm take about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and to Östersund about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Travel times and timetables may change. These details offer an initial guide if you are including Bollnäs in your travel plans as a destination for culture, craftsmanship and nature.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bollnäs, Vallsta, Hanebo, Segersta, Rengsjö, Gävle, Ockelbo, Söderhamn

For the main travel overview: Gävleborg.