In Örnsköldsvik, exploring the High Coast begins right in the urban setting: one of the High Coast Trail’s two starting points is here, in Stadsträdgården. Fyra Berg is also a hiking trail close to the city. It crosses Åsberget, Mycklingsberget, Svedjeberget and Varvsberget, and is marked from the south side of the travel centre. QR-linked information along the route covers nature, culture and historical events. So along the way, you’ll encounter not only varied landscapes but also stories of the area.
Hiking among scenic views and rock formations
On Åsberget, the Gula leden offers a different kind of hike: the six-kilometre trail forms a loop over the mountain. From there, wide-ranging views stretch across the countryside, city and sea. Large boulders, scree slopes, steep cliffs and rock surfaces smoothed by ice lie along the trail. These striking features shape the character of the loop, as does the view.
The High Coast Trail is divided into nine sections of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The ninth section runs from Balesudden Nature Reserve to Örnsköldsvik and is 18.8 kilometres long. This gives you a choice of different types of routes: a loop on Åsberget or a section of the longer trail. The stated distances and difficulty levels help you choose sections that suit your plans.
From Varvsberget, views extend over the city by day and night; across the sea, you can see Balesudden and Skags udde. Near Hörnsjön, halfway up the mountain, there is a lit exercise trail, an outdoor gym, a wind shelter and barbecue areas. As facilities can change, it’s a good idea to check local information before your visit.
Nature and history of the municipality
Part of the High Coast World Heritage Site lies within the coastal area of Örnsköldsvik Municipality. The region was classified as a World Heritage Site because it has the world’s greatest land uplift. Alneskogen Nature Reserve also offers a glimpse into the area’s industrial past: nature has reclaimed the former industrial site, but remnants of the Alne steam sawmill, the quays and the workers’ homes remain.
Vändåtberget Nature Reserve protects taiga with northern coniferous forest, parts of which bear the mark of earlier forest fires. The Urskogsleden trail runs through the reserve. There is also a cabin with a stove where overnight stays are possible. For those interested in the landscape and its history, the municipality offers further discoveries beyond the trails close to the city.
Culture, swimming and other activities
At Örnsköldsvik Museum and the art gallery, the permanent exhibition Arkiv Ö tells the story of the city for children and adults. The art gallery’s exhibitions change several times a year. The cultural programme also includes arts and crafts activities, weekly Kulturlab sessions, open guided tours, discussion evenings, lunchtime talks and lectures. Bror Marklund’s studio is next to the museum and art gallery. As the programme may change, it’s worth checking the latest schedule. For swimming and wellness, Paradiset offers activities in sports, swimming and wellness as an adventure pool and spa; check the current operating conditions before your visit.
Winter sports and cycling add to the range of activities. At Skyttis, cross-country ski trails are groomed for both freestyle and classic skiing. A snowmaking system allows the season to start earlier and extends the ski season. There are also ten kilometres of lit trails and seven kilometres of paved trails; check current conditions before your visit.
For downhill riding, CK Örnen Downhill Park is in central Örnsköldsvik, west of the ski jumps on Varvsberget. The park has seven marked trails; Bagarn is rated blue-green and is described as suitable for riders new to downhill. Örnen MTB Arena near Järved is open to the public. Its approximately ten marked trail-bike routes and paths cover a total of 30 kilometres. There are also three technical mountain bike tracks, a skills area for children and adults, and a paved pump track. The main site has parking, a toilet and a bike wash station; these facilities may vary by season.
Discover more destinations: Örnsköldsvik, Husum, Själevad, Ulvöhamn, Skorped, Solberg, Bjästa, Domsjö, Mellansel, Kantsjö, Norum.
Back to the main travel overview: Västernorrland.
