Wherever you look along Sweden's High Coast, breathtaking views await. The High Coast offers all of this and much more, whether you're searching for a daring outdoor experience or a relaxing hiking trip with your family.
Did you realize?
The High Coast is home to Sweden's notoriously pungent "surströmming" (fermented herring).
The High Coast of Sweden boasts the highest shoreline in the world at 286 meters above sea level, and the land mass is still growing by around 8 millimeters year.
In 2000, UNESCO designated Sweden's High Coast as a World Heritage Site.
The High Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the northeastern province of ngermanland on the Gulf of Bothnia, has the world's highest shoreline at about 286 meters above sea level.
The land has been rising at a pace of about 8 millimeters per year since the last ice age as a result of a geological phenomenon known as post-glacial land uplift.
This feature contrasts sharply with the flat, low-lying islands and shallow bays of Finland's Kvarken archipelago, which is located on the other side of the Gulf of Bothnia.
The High Coast's stunning world heritage terrain is a huge, empty wilderness that is a natural year-round venue for any outdoor activity you can think of, from hiking and climbing to watersports and skiing. It also includes a lovely archipelago. The area is fascinating from a cultural standpoint as well, offering a vast variety of landmarks and sites of historical relevance. Attractions include the well-known Bronze Age rock engravings at Nämforsen as well as centuries-old fishing towns. Also, it provides access to fascinating museums and art galleries as well as cultural events in the High Coast Art Valley. Moreover, the towns of Sollefte, Kramfors, Härnösand, and rnsköldsvik are also worthwhile travel stops in and of themselves.
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Visit the High Coast's mountains, islands, and enchanting forests.
These uncharted coasts provide a variety of outdoor activities. The almost 130-kilometer High Coast Trail will take you from Hornöberget mountain through the entire World Heritage site to the finish line in rnsköldsvik. Hiking in the High Coast is undoubtedly appealing. You will be completely surrounded by nature as you travel, which includes woods, mountain summits, sandy beaches, craggy cliffs, and vast meadows. To trek the entire trail, allow 5-7 days, or choose to hike only a few of the 13 well indicated hiking sections.
Through the majestic Skuleskogen National Park, numerous scenic trails wind. This hilly area is famous for the 40-meter-high mountain crevasse Slttdalsskrevan and the 294-meter-high Skuleberget mountain. Due to Via Ferrata Skuleberget's four routes of different complexity, it is also ideal for climbing trips.
Skuleberget becomes a snow-covered refuge in the winter, ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Another popular skiing destination is Sollefte's Hallstaberget mountain, which has six downhill courses and about 60 kilometers of well-maintained, well regarded cross-country ski routes.
Although though it is less popular and touristy than other Swedish archipelago locations, the High Coast is a popular archipelago destination for Swedes. See the well-known Ulvön islands in the rnsköldsvik archipelago, which once housed the largest fishing colony in northern Sweden. As the "jewel of the Bothnian Sea," the northern and southern Ulvön islands are dotted with adorable small homes, fishing huts, and boathouses. Rent a kayak and go on an exploration of the High Coast's breathtaking coastline, or use one of the various boat services available in this well-known cruising area.
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The High Coast's cultural highlights
Since the early 1900s, the High Coast's breathtaking natural beauty has drawn artisans and artists, and this rich cultural legacy is still thriving today. Around the region, there are a ton of craft shows and activities over the summer. The stunning Nordingr peninsular is a popular destination. See painters, potters, and silversmiths at work as you stroll around the town center and its numerous galleries, studios, and workshops. Don't miss the open-air museum Mannaminne while you're in the area. It has over 50 old buildings and vehicles, as well as a rotating schedule of exhibits and activities.
High Coast Art Valley, a more modern attraction, is a picturesque cultural route that runs from the Ulvön islands up along the Nätraälven valley and is home to 25 enormous sculptures and installations. Many examples of these remarkable pieces of art can be seen all across Köpmanholmen's Herrgrdsparken park.
Visit Norrfällsviken in the Kramfors municipality to fully appreciate the history and fishing culture of the High Coast. This quaint 350-year-old fishing community is situated within a nature preserve that is distinguished by a cobble field and Bronze Age cairns.
The highest concentration of Bronze Age rock carvings in northern Europe may be seen at Nämforsen, a site of international renown that is close to Sollefte in the village of Näsker. There are up to 2,600 carvings to be admired, which show both people and animals. There is also a summer café and a museum of rock art.
On a dish, the High Coast offers genuine flavors and seasonal, fresh ingredients.
The High Coast has a lot to offer as a culinary destination, including seasonal, fresh vegetables and flavors that will delight and occasionally test your palate. After all, this is where the must-visit Ulvö Islands are located and where Sweden's infamously pungent pickled herring, or "surströmming," is still made. The surströmming season, which traditionally begins on the third Thursday in August, calls for eating the celebratory feast outside while sandwiched between sheets of potato and Mjälloms Tunnbröd, a regional institution in and of itself. The Ulvö Hotell restaurant is a fantastic spot to experience the distinctive custom as well as other regional specialties (see the website for booking information).
On a mountaintop near Sollefte, the Hallstaberget Hotel offers a variety of restaurants providing anything from à-la-carte menus to international bistro-style cuisine.
The same is true for fans of artisanal spirits. Hernö Gin and High Coast Whisky are two fine liquor makers from the High Coast. The award-winning Hernö Gin, which is made from organic, natural botanicals and is located in Dala, just outside of Härnösand, is available for gin tastings and guided tours.
In contrast, High Coast Whisky in Bjärtr encourages you to dine there while admiring the breathtaking views of the ngermanälven river, or to take part in a tour or sampling. This is where Sweden's award-winning single malt High Coast Whisky is made and aged; the flavors are influenced by the distinct region's climate and natural beauty.
