In Ragunda, discoveries range from geological traces and river landscapes to a Gothic stone church, distinctive pavilion architecture and hiking trails through wetlands and over a mountain ridge. There is also a winter trail for snow racers and alpine sledging, among the diverse experiences awaiting you here.
Geology, Water and Getting There
The Indalsälven Geopark was recognised as a Swedish geopark by the SGU in 2022 and is located in Ragunda Municipality. At the geopark, you can experience unique clay varves as well as magma chambers, potholes, large boulders and traces of ice ages. The variety of these geological formations gives your visit a clear focus: the history of the landscape takes centre stage here.
The Ammerån also tells the story of the landscape. The river flows from the Hotagsfjällen mountains and is completely unregulated. The Ammerån Nature Reserve features foaming rapids, calm waters and fishing opportunities. In the Kvarnån Utanede area, calcareous sand and gravel shape rare forests. This material was transported by the Indalsälven and by earlier meltwater rivers—making waterways and geology defining features of the area.
You can reach the geopark by car or bus from places in the region; rail and air connections are via Sundsvall or Ă–stersund. As transport services and timetables may change, it is worth checking connections before you travel.
Church Art, Timber Houses and a Pavilion
Ragunda gamla kyrka is a well-preserved Gothic stone church dating from the first decade of the 16th century. Its chancel screen is particularly notable: only one other survives in Sweden, in Husaby kyrka. This makes a single architectural detail the key to what makes the church special.
Skyttmon is home to about ten well-preserved large timber houses with richly decorated plank architecture, known as “träslott” (timber castles). In Utanede stands the Thailändska Paviljongen, the only royal Thai pavilion outside Thailand. The cultural centre displays objects and photographs relating to the pavilion’s creation, King Chulalongkorn and Thai culture. Access to the cultural centre is currently limited to pre-booked guided tours. During the seasonal opening period, guided tours of the pavilion grounds are offered, explaining King Chulalongkorn and the memorial building. Check the availability of these seasonal tours before your trip.
Hiking Trails and Landscapes
The “Borgsjön runt” hiking trail passes several wetlands. There is a wayfinding system and clear trail markers for hikes in Ragundadalen; check the local signage before setting out. Another hiking trail crosses the ridge of Kullstaberget and offers beautiful views. In Hammarstrand, the “Hollywoodskylt” is also a landmark worth seeing.
In Revaberget Nature Reserve, you can reach a waterfall via a path south of the river, equipped with a staircase and wooden boardwalks. As trail facilities may change, it is a good idea to check the path’s condition before your visit. Ragunda offers a variety of hiking experiences: trails through wetlands, views from a mountain ridge and a waterfall path with a staircase and wooden boardwalks.
Exploring in Different Seasons
The geopark can be visited year-round, although snow may make access more difficult in winter. Hammarstrand’s Naturbanan, by contrast, is a 1,000-metre winter trail for snow racers and alpine sledging; operating conditions and the weather vary. This comparison is useful for seasonal planning: the geopark is accessible year-round, while Naturbanan is a weather-dependent winter activity.
Discover more destinations: Köttsjön, Stugun, Hammarstrand, Bispgården, Härjedalen, Östersund, Bräcke, Strömsund.
Back to the main travel overview: Jämtland.
