On Alnö, you can watch birds, discover rare plants and learn about local and cultural history. You’ll also find places where music, church life and bread baking play a part.
Nature Reserves and Wildlife Watching
Stornäset Nature Reserve covers 149 hectares, part of which is designated as a Natura 2000 site. Its shore meadows provide resting and breeding grounds for numerous birds and are ideal for birdwatching. Stornäset is accessible by bus. The Stornäset bus stop is near the nature reserve’s car park.
Smedsgården and Långharsholmen are also designated as nature reserves and Natura 2000 sites. Smedsgården covers 4.2 hectares. In late spring, its meadow slopes are known for their abundant cowslips; rare species such as alpine violet and sand violet grow in the hollows. The 108-hectare Långharsholmen offers something different: three outcrops of exposed bedrock make good study subjects for anyone interested in geology. The reserve is also a place for birdwatching. About 180 bird species have been observed in and around the area.
Churches, Music and Local History
The oldest part of Alnö gamla kyrka was built in the second half of the 12th century. Inside, visitors can see wall paintings; the building itself also tells a story of long-term care and change: the people of Alnö have shaped and maintained it for more than 800 years. Visits and guided tours are available daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from June 22 to August 14. Check visiting hours before your trip.
The village of Säter is mentioned as early as 1535; its history is linked to Sätergården. Sätergården itself was moved to Tunet in 1980. Alnö’s local heritage centre, with a café, bakery, smithy and museum buildings, is located at Tunet by Alnö gamla kyrka. The Tunet café is in Sätergården. Föreningslokalen Thor is a rural Folkets hus, built in 1896 and considered the third building of its kind in Sweden. Remains of a total of 19 sawmills can also be seen on Alnö; access to individual sites may be limited.
The island’s musical history is linked to Schymbergsgården, the childhood home of singer Hjördis Schymberg. She donated the house in the hope that it would once again be filled with singing, music and cultural life. Spikarö Chapel is used for church services, candlelight services, midnight services and concerts, especially in summer.
Bread Baking and Practical Information
You can rent the bakery at Tunet to bake bread yourself. With an instructor, you can also learn how to bake tunnbröd there. If you’re planning to do this, check the current rental and instructor options. Depending on what’s available, a visit to the local heritage centre can offer not only a glimpse of historic buildings but also a hands-on experience of regional baking traditions.
Tranviken Beach has a beach volleyball area, a dry toilet, a barbecue area and parking for about 150 cars. Hovbergsstugan on Hovberget has a summer café that’s open Wednesday to Sunday. From a car park, an approximately 2.5-kilometre forest walk leads to the café; trail conditions may vary. As the café is seasonal, check its opening days before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Alnö, Bonässund, Timrå, Örnsköldsvik, Sundsvall, Kramfors, Härnösand, Ånge.
For the overview of the wider region, see: Västernorrland.
