At Kolforsen, the Testeboån reveals two distinct sides of the water: the short rapids, fishing spots and a rest and launch area offer activities on the river, while Stormyran’s unusual hydrotopography adds a natural-history highlight. There is also a historic village walk with information boards permanently installed along the route. Visitors choosing Kolforsen as a destination can weigh up their interests in paddling, nature and local history.

Water, paddling and fishing spots

Stormyran near Kolforsen has an unusual hydrotopography. This puts a natural feature alongside the river in the spotlight: at Stormyran, the distinctive interplay of water and terrain draws the eye, while the Testeboån offers specific activities. This gives you two different ways to explore the theme of water when planning your trip.

The Testeboån through Kolforsen has fishing spots for pike, perch and whitefish. Catches and seasonal conditions can change. If you plan to fish, check the current conditions in advance.

The Kolforsen rapids are short and easy to paddle; their character may vary with water levels. The ground at the rest and launch area is sandy at normal water levels. At normal water levels, the area is 50 metres from the loading area and car park. As bankside conditions and access can change, check conditions before setting off.

In the wider area around Kolforsen, a canoe route runs along the Testeboån between Ockelbo and Smörnäs. An older description in a nature conservation programme characterises it as well developed. This means two different scales are represented: the short rapids at Kolforsen and a longer route with Ockelbo and Smörnäs as its endpoints. When comparing paddling options, you can first decide whether the Kolforsen stretch or the route between the two places is your priority.

Village walk and historical connections

The historic village walk shifts the focus from the river to Kolforsen’s local history. The 2025 project includes information boards permanently installed along the route, so the walk can still be enjoyed after the event. This adds a distinct cultural focus to the river-related activities.

A dairy hut associated with life at the summer farm in Kolforsen in 1901 has survived in a converted form. The railway station has a different historical context: the Swedish National Heritage Board once considered it worth preserving, but the station building no longer exists. The walk and its information boards, together with these stories about buildings, offer different ways to explore Kolforsen’s past.

Accommodation and trip planning

Swescot offers holiday cottages in Kolforsen that can be booked for overnight stays. If a holiday cottage is an option for you, check availability for your preferred dates. When planning your trip, it helps to keep the different geographical scales in mind: the rapids, fishing spots and village walk are in Kolforsen, while the canoe route in the wider area runs between Ockelbo and Smörnäs.

Discover more destinations: Ockelbo, Åmotsbruk, Jädraås

Go to the main travel guide: Ockelbo.