Gävle Between Archipelago, Nature and History

Gävle reveals its coastal side in the Axmar Nature Reserve. It is the largest continuous archipelago area on the southern Gulf of Bothnia coast and, at around 4,500 hectares, also the largest in Gävleborg County.

Nature and Coast

Limön is an idyllic summer island in the Gävle archipelago and has been a popular excursion destination since the 19th century. The Limö fyr lighthouse was built in 1902 and served as a lighthouse, school and teacher’s residence.

Hemlingby is Gävle’s largest recreational area. It is located in a large nature reserve just over three kilometres south of the city centre. Exercise trails and a nature trail lead through deep forests, herb-rich meadows and open landscapes.

Axmar Bruk also combines nature with a historic setting: five hiking trails run through the area, including an accessible loop around the cultural reserve and the English Park. At Axmar Bruk, ruins, shipwrecks and foundation stones preserve memories of the ironworks’ history.

Trails and Activities

The Norrlandets kustled is an approximately 15-kilometre-long hiking trail between Engeltofta and Marskärsudden. The entire route or individual sections can be hiked. Along the trail, 13 information boards provide details about the route, barbecue areas, bathing spots and the locations of toilets available in summer.

The trail passes through varied natural landscapes with country estates, holiday homes, deep forests and buildings of cultural and historical significance. Different route lengths and landscapes offer a clear opportunity to compare your own daily plans. Cyclists may use all municipal exercise trails in Gävle; along the trails, pedestrians and other people engaged in sports have priority.

On the Gavleån, a paddling route connects the urban area with quieter natural surroundings in the Testeboån Delta Nature Reserve. The river can be navigated by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Forsbacka to Alderholmen; shorter sections are also possible. At Forsbacka Bruk, visitors can rent canoes and paddle on Lake Storsjön.

The Hemlingbybacken area includes a snow park as well as exercise and cross-country ski trails of various lengths for winter recreation.

History and Coastal Culture

Forsbacka Bruk is one of Sweden’s best-preserved ironworks villages. Visitors can see buildings from the ironworks’ heyday, view a house from the 1920s and take part in guided tours.

Bönan has been a fishing village since the 17th century, and its coastal traditions continue to this day. The Bönan fyrmuseum is a small lighthouse museum dedicated to the area’s maritime history. In Old Gefle, you can explore a historic district with cobblestone streets and wooden houses.

The Fordonsmagasinet Tåghallen is part of the Swedish Railway Museum and houses one of the world’s largest collections of railway vehicles. The exhibitions cover Sweden’s railways, railway workers and the future of rail transport. In summer, a historic railbus connects Tåghallen with the museum and also stops at Gävle Central on both the outward and return journeys.

During the peak season, markets are held at Axmar Bruk on Saturdays, featuring, among other things, high-quality stalls offering artisan food products.

Furuvik

Furuvik combines animal encounters, an amusement park and a water park. The water park has a large pool, a children’s pool, two fast water slides and an adventure tower. Visitors can encounter animals up close, and interesting animal presentations take place several times a day.

Other Places

The direct selection of places includes Forsbacka, Hedesunda, Valbo, Hamrånge, Norrsundet, Bergby, Axmar and Gävle.

For the overview of the wider travel area: Gävleborg.