High islands, steep shores, smoothly polished rocks and deep bays shape the landscape of the Höga Kusten World Heritage Site. This coast also makes post-glacial land uplift easy to see: over the past 10,500 years, the land here has risen by about 290 metres. Exploring Västernorrland reveals not only striking views, but also a landscape whose features show evidence of a long process of change.
Coast, ravine and rock carvings
Rotsidan is a four-kilometre stretch of coast with flat slabs of rock smoothed by the sea. An accessible path leads from the car park to the rocks; the gravel path and wooden ramps can be used with a pushchair or wheelchair. In Halsviksravinen, a lush deciduous-forest ravine in Nordingrå within the Höga Kusten World Heritage Site, marked trails and a sandy beach meet a rich variety of plant life: more than 260 species of vascular plants have been recorded there.
The Smitingen area also combines several nature experiences. In addition to the sandy beach, there are hiking trails, rest areas and fireplaces. The Klubbsjön runt loop is an easy 2.7-kilometre walk; an accessible footpath leads to the rest area at Klubbsjön. Smitingen-Härnöklubb Nature Reserve is also home to five large sea caves carved out by the sea.
Slåttdalsskrevan presents a different kind of landform: the 200-metre-long, 30-metre-deep and seven-metre-wide crevice divides Slåttdalsberget. From the mountain summit, views extend across Skuleskogen and Höga Kusten. Along the coast, geological formations, forest trails and wide-open views sit side by side, each offering a different kind of discovery.
Hiking trails on different scales
The 100-kilometre Världsarvsleden hiking trail runs through several nature reserves in Nordingrå, within the Höga Kusten World Heritage Site, and passes fishing villages and 29 small villages. It connects with six official visitor destinations in the World Heritage Site. Local buses from Kramfors and Ullånger serve the Nordingrå Vallen and Mjällom trail access points; check the timetables before your trip.
In Skuleskogen National Park, the Kuststigen trail follows the coast between the southern and northern entrances. Tärnettholmarna can be reached on foot from either entrance. For longer hikes, the park offers several dozen kilometres of trails, as well as numerous rest areas, campsites and open huts for overnight stays. All three entrances have accessible facilities, including wooden ramps, covered information terraces and nearby wheelchair-accessible composting toilets.
For a different route, Sollefteå has the 27-kilometre Nipleden hiking trail. It starts at Sollefteå Camping on Risön in the centre of Sollefteå and follows the Ångermanälven upstream to Edsbron, then returns downstream to the starting point. Cycling is also possible on selected sections. The seven-kilometre hiking loop in Vällingsjö urskog Nature Reserve has a rest area by Vällingsjötjärnen and several viewpoints. In Jämtgaveln Nature Reserve, more than 20 kilometres of trails are complemented by several overnight huts, rest areas and information points.
Cultural history along the way
At Nämforsen, a long human history can be explored at a single site: the rock art site includes 2,595 images, dating from approximately 6,000 to 3,800 years ago, or about 4,000 to 1,800 BC. Visitors can see the images on Laxön and along the north bank. In summer, Nämforsens Hällristningsmuseum offers guided walks through the rock art area; the seasonal programme may vary.
Hemsö fästning also brings history and landscape together. The fortress was built to defend the Swedish coast during the Cold War, is now open to visitors and is protected by the state as a listed building. It stands on 140-metre-high Storråberget, which offers views across the sea, islands and coast. At the foot of Skuleberget, naturum Höga Kusten has exhibitions about the World Heritage Site, Skuleskogen National Park and Skuleberget.
At Västernorrlands museum, explore life in Västernorrland over the past 9,000 years through exhibitions, experiences, an open-air museum and activities for children. Mjälloms Tunnbröd, Sweden’s oldest flatbread bakery, offers another way to discover local craft traditions. At the visitor centre, learn more about the bakery’s 100-year history and traditional craft. Larger groups can join guided tours of the bakery by booking in advance.
Discover more destinations: Sundsvall, Sollefteå, Örnsköldsvik, Härnösand, Kramfors, Ånge, Alnö, Timrå, Bonässund, Sandöverken, Torsboda.
For the main travel overview: Sweden.
