Northern Sweden is a bit of a white spot on the map for us. Of course, we've been in northern Sweden a lot over the years, but still relatively little. Now it's time to change that. Happy Friday!
Table of contents
"Beginners" in Norrland
Many people have travelled extensively in northern Sweden, and by comparison we can feel a bit like "beginners". We made a motorhome trip in northern Sweden in the summer of 2010, with Peter's youngest son and his cousin, where we tested, among other things rafting in the Vindelälven river.
We have also made various other short trips northwards in different contexts, for example to Östersund and to the fair Great Nolia in Piteå. But compared to many others, we have travelled very little in northern Sweden.
We start with the High Coast ...
We've already headed north. After the 'wooden town classic' - with visits to the fantastic wooden towns. Eksjö, Hjo and Nora - we rolled towards the Gävle region. There we took the opportunity to meet Peter's mum and to make another very nice visit (more on that soon!).
Then it was time to roll towards High coastwhere we are now. We will be exploring this beautiful part of Sweden for just over a week, before rolling south again, towards Åland.
But shouldn't we see more of Norrland then? Well, the plan is to travel from Åland to Finland, continue upwards through Finland, and then travel into Sweden from the north and circle slowly south through Norrland. We work from the motorhome, and this summer we will (mainly) spend in Finland and northern Sweden. It will be really exciting!
Cycling and hiking ...
So far there has been some (electric) cycling ...
... and quite a lot of hiking. Our fitness is not at its best and the High Coast has a lot of high mountains (hmm, not so strange maybe...) but we do our best. The views are there nothing error. We'll be back!
Discovering northern Sweden
Discovering northern Sweden is a bit of an adventure for us. Already now we have realised that our usual "oh now the diesel is almost gone, now we have to refuel" does not work. We drove and drove and there was only forest ... we were so happy and grateful when a small farm shop with a pump appeared!!!! Next time we have to think earlier... Another exotic thing for us is to see snow while walking around in shorts and t-shirt.
The fact that some shops are open 24 hours a day (with bank ID at unmanned times) has also surprised us!
Best this week
Best thing this week? There are some fantastic hikes we have done here in the High Coast. Among other things, we managed to just walk through a very special place that shortly afterwards closed forever, for security reasons. And we are grateful for the good weather!
What can you highlight as positive from your week?
The week ahead
In the coming week we will continue travelling along the High Coast. The first reports from the Gävle area and the High Coast will also come, perhaps interspersed with a guest article.
Did you miss the last Happy Friday? Read the A motorhome adventure through Sweden
Ditte says:
How nice! And wonderful experiences of various kinds. Will also be a nice turn then to visit Åland and take you further up through Finland. A trip we made many years ago. And from northern Finland we also took us into northern Norway and then back into Sweden via the Riksgränsen and drove south along the coast. Northern Norway is a highlight. And don't miss Kökar and other islands in Åland's beautiful archipelago. The motorhome can often be taken on the boats between the islands.
Best this week! The weather, some work with travelling from home, nice excursions around Stockholm. And not least that I can now get around with a crutch.
Have fun!
26 May 2023 - 12:33
Carola says:
Hi, here are some tips on the Torne Valley, among other things: https://www.sararonne.se/?s=tornedalen
Feel free to visit scenic Jockfall, Storforsen, Luleå with Gammelstad's church village etc. There are many beautiful places in Norrbotten and the midnight sun is wonderful but bring mosquito repellent 😉.
26 May 2023 - 17:36
BP says:
There is something about the High Coast. Have never been there irl, but there are many bloggers who have written about how nice it is there. Several of my blog friends live nearby, and it's always fun to read. The High Coast bridge photographed from below is WOW. Maybe you have also discovered that.
26 May 2023 - 19:25
Marita Carlsson says:
Norrland is wonderful. We mostly travel up country from Västergötland.
There are many great places to see.
Storforsen, Vildmarksvägen, Thai pavilion, Kukkolaforsen and much more.
The advantage of Norrland is that it is calm and easy to find many nice places to fricamp if you like it of course. There are also many nice slightly smaller campsites.
Maybe our paths will cross somewhere this summer when we head that way again.
26 May 2023 - 22:53
Mia says:
I'm glad you're heading to Finland eventually, welcome!
The High Coast seems so beautiful, has actually never been there even though it is a short boat trip over from Ostrobothnia where I am located. Is on the wish list!
31 May 2023 - 17:55