Alnö: Nature Reserves, Coast and Historic Places

Stornäset is a 149-hectare nature reserve on Alnö; part of the reserve is designated as a Natura 2000 site. Its shore meadows are used by numerous birds as resting and breeding grounds and are suitable for birdwatching. Stornäset is accessible by bus; the Stornäset bus stop is located near the nature reserve car park.

Nature

Smedsgården is also a 4.2-hectare nature reserve and Natura 2000 site. The meadow slopes of Smedsgården are known in late spring for their abundance of primroses; rare species such as alpine violets and sand violets grow in the hollows. Långharsholmen covers 108 hectares and is also a nature reserve and Natura 2000 site. Three rock outcrops with exposed bedrock there are suitable study objects for those interested in geology. Around 180 bird species have been observed in and around the nature reserve; Långharsholmen is also considered a birdwatching site.

You can compare the places mentioned according to different points of interest: birdwatching and botanical features alongside geology, beaches, religious culture and rural history. Seasonal information, opening days and the approximate trail length provide specific points of comparison for planning your own day trip.

Culture

The oldest part of Alnö gamla kyrka was built in the early medieval period, sometime in the second half of the 12th century. In the church, visitors can see wall paintings as well as an interior that has been maintained and altered by the inhabitants of Alnö over more than 800 years. For visits and guided tours, it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 22 June to 14 August.

At Tunet near Alnö gamla kyrka are Alnö's local heritage room and heritage farm, with a café, bakery, forge and museum buildings. Sätergården was moved to Tunet in 1980. Tunet's café is located in Sätergården. The fully equipped bakery at Tunet can be rented so that you can bake bread yourself. With an instructor, the bakery can be rented to learn how to bake tunnbröd.

Schymbergsgården is the childhood home of the singer Hjördis Schymberg. She donated the house so that it could once again be filled with singing, music and cultural life. The village of Säter, whose history is connected with Sätergården, is mentioned as early as 1535.

Coast and Trails

Tranviken Beach has a beach volleyball area, a dry toilet, a barbecue area and parking for about 150 cars. From a car park, an approximately 2.5-kilometre forest walk leads to Hovbergsstugan on Hovberget. Hovbergsstugan on Hovberget has a summer café that is open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Spikarö Chapel is used especially in summer for services, candlelight services, midnight services and concerts. Föreningslokalen Thor is a rural Folkets hus, built in 1896 and considered the third building of its kind in Sweden. The original decorative paintings in Föreningslokalen Thor have been copied or reconstructed. Remains of a total of 19 sawmills can still be seen on Alnö.

To the higher-level travel overview: Västernorrland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Örnsköldsvik, Härnösand, Sundsvall, Ånge, Sollefteå, Kramfors, Bonässund.