Västernorrland between the High Coast, rock carvings and nature reserves

Along the High Coast, Västernorrland features a landscape of high islands, steep shores, smooth-sculpted rocks and deep bays. Over the past 10,500 years, the land there has risen by around 290 metres. This geological development exists alongside nature reserves, coastal trails and historic sites spread throughout the region.

Landscape

Västernorrland has more than 230 nature reserves offering natural experiences of various kinds and difficulty levels. Some of these nature reserves have been adapted for accessibility, are suitable for pushchairs or are equipped with visitor facilities. Some can be visited year-round or are accessible by public transport.

Halsviksravinen in Nordingrå is a lush deciduous-forest ravine in the High Coast World Heritage Site. Marked trails run through it, and there is also a sandy beach. More than 260 species of vascular plants have been recorded in the ravine.

Rotsidan forms a four-kilometre-long stretch of coast with flat rock slabs smoothed by the sea. An accessibility-adapted path leads from the car park to the rocks; the gravel path and wooden ramps can be used with a pushchair or wheelchair. The 100-kilometre-long Världsarvsleden hiking trail also runs through Rotsidan Nature Reserve.

Västernorrland includes Sandöverken, Sundsvall, Sollefteå, Ånge, Örnsköldsvik, Härnösand, Kramfors, Alnö, Timrå, Bonässund and Torsboda.

Hiking and nature

The Klubbsjön runt loop in the Smitingen area is an easy 2.7-kilometre trail. An accessibility-adapted footpath leads to the picnic area at Klubbsjön. Smitingen-Härnöklubb Nature Reserve has five large sea-eroded tunnel caves.

Skuleskogen National Park offers several dozen kilometres of hiking trails as well as numerous picnic areas, campsites and open huts for overnight stays. The Kuststigen hiking trail runs along the coast between the southern and northern entrances to the national park; Tärnettholmarna can be reached on foot from both entrances. All three entrances have certain accessibility-adapted facilities, including wooden ramps, covered information terraces and nearby wheelchair-accessible composting toilets.

Jämtgaveln Nature Reserve has more than 20 kilometres of trails, several overnight huts, picnic areas and more than 20 information points. Arctic char fishing is possible in Lake Torringen within the nature reserve.

Vällingsjö urskog Nature Reserve has a seven-kilometre hiking loop with a picnic area at Vällingsjötjärnen and several viewpoints. Mjällådalen Nature Reserve has several kilometres of hiking trails, many picnic areas and two wind shelters for overnight stays. Fishing is popular on the Mjällån in Mjällådalen Nature Reserve; a fishing licence is required for this.

Culture and history

Nämforsen is one of Europe’s largest rock-art sites. The site comprises 2,595 rock carvings dated to approximately 6,000 to 3,800 years before the present, or approximately 4,000 to 1,800 BC. The rock carvings can be seen on Laxön and on the northern shore.

In summer, Nämforsens Hällristningsmuseum offers guided tours through the rock-art area. Another historic site is Hemsö fästning on the 140-metre-high Storråberget, which offers wide views over the sea, islands and coast.

At the foot of Skuleberget, naturum Höga Kusten presents exhibitions about the World Heritage Site, Skuleskogen National Park and Skuleberget.

Trails and activities

Slåttdalsskrevan is a 200-metre-long, 30-metre-deep and seven-metre-wide rock cleft that divides Slåttdalsberget. From the summit of Slåttdalsberget, there are views over Skuleskogen and the High Coast.

At Skuleberget, there are four fixed via ferrata routes on the 250-metre-high eastern face. You can hike to the summit and use the via ferrata climbing route.

Nipleden is a 27-kilometre-long hiking trail. It leads from Sollefteå Camping on Risön in central Sollefteå upstream along the Ångermanälven to Edsbron and then downstream back to the starting point.