The upper reaches of the Voxnan are among the longest, best-preserved and least disturbed flowing waters in central Sweden. The Voxnan offers canoeing alongside peaceful nature watching: the canoe routes cover a total of 250 km and follow the riverbanks, from rapids to calm stretches. Water conditions vary by season.
River Landscapes and Birdlife
Between the lakes Ullungen and Vägnan, the Sässmanområdet provides a habitat for a diverse range of insects and birds. Examples found there include sedge warblers and coots; as with wild species, their presence varies over time. The wider landscape is also noteworthy: parts of Ovanåker Municipality lie within the Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve. It broadly follows the Voxnan’s catchment area and also extends into parts of other municipalities.
Farms, Crafts and Stories
At Våsbo fäbodar, summer grazing traditions continue. Farmers from Roteberg have brought their animals there to graze in summer for several centuries, and they still do so today. Since 2008, Våsbo has been the district’s second cultural reserve. Its preserved buildings, flora and well-maintained land offer an impression of what Swedish summer mountain farming in Hälsingland may have looked like in the late 19th century.
Pallars is also one of the seven farms on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Two side wings, several intricately designed entrance porches and a sleeping room with well-preserved wall paintings are among the farm’s distinctive features. Visits are possible seasonally or by prior arrangement. Hälsingegård Ol-Anders is one of four visitor centres for the Hälsingegårdar World Heritage property; access may vary by season. The exhibitions include the history of the forestry machinery company ÖSA, which grew out of a village blacksmith’s workshop. The Emigrant Museum at Ol-Anders tells the story of Brita Olsdotter and the religious group Erikjansarna, who left Alfta in 1846 to seek a new life in America.
Hälsingegård Löka is a local heritage museum with a shop selling local crafts and a café. The main building, also known as Storstugan, can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The farm is open in summer and by arrangement. In Voxna, the Jim Reeves Museum displays original photographs, personal belongings and awards belonging to the singer. Hälgegården is dedicated to the comic character Hälge and its creator, Lars Mortimer.
Trails and Activities Throughout the Year
Those who want to explore cultural history on foot can choose between two trails with different routes. The Kulturstigen in Alfta is about 3 km long, with 45 signs explaining local history. The Kulturstigen in Edsbyn is a 2.2 km walking route from Bärstabron by the library, along the Voxnan to Bågbron, past Sommars Café and up to Norra torget. The Pilgrimsleden Hoppet is a seven-kilometre hike to Ovanåker Church; trail conditions may vary by season.
The Kygelvallen recreation area has a 6 km mountain biking trail, which mostly runs through the forest as a varied singletrack. Trail conditions may change. In Edsbyn, Edsbybacken at Gårdtjärnsberget offers a vertical drop of 135 m, two drag lifts, a conveyor belt in the children’s area, five runs and a fun park. Operating conditions vary by season. Swimming and fishing are possible at Frostkilen beach.
Routes and Getting Around
Stora Hälsingegårdars Väg is a 28 km tourist route that connects Hälsingegård Ol-Anders in Alfta with Alfta kyrka, Hälsingegård Löka in Gundbo and Hälsingegård Mårtes in Edsbyn, passing through several villages. It brings together several of the cultural sites mentioned above along one route. For the return journey, bus route 100 departs from the road junction in the direction of Edsbyn or Söderhamn; check the timetable separately.
Discover more destinations: Edsbyn, Ovanåker, Alfta, Voxnabruk, Viksjöfors, Nordanstig, Ockelbo, Söderhamn.
For the full travel overview: Gävleborg.
