What to do in the High Coast? This scenic area in Ångermanland is not only beautiful to visit, but also a Unesco World Heritage Site. Here are all our top tips for things to see and do in the High Coast.
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High coast
The High Coast has become increasingly popular as a holiday destination, and it's not hard to see why. The area offers dramatically beautiful nature with high mountains, fantastic viewpoints and great hiking trails, combined with sandy beaches, cultural experiences and delicacies.
In 2000, the High Coast was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, due to the rapid and extensive land uplift following the last ice sheet. Today, the land rise is about 8 mm per year, making it the most land rise in the world. We travelled here by camper van in early summer and discovered lots of great places.
Höga kusten is a coastal area in Västernorrland County, in Ångermanland.
What can you do in the High Coast?
So what can you do in the High Coast? Well, there's plenty to see and experience, whether you're into nature, culture, history or just enjoying the holiday fun. Here are our top tips.
1. Cross the High Coast Bridge
The Högakustenbron is one of Sweden's tallest buildings, with bridge pillars reaching 180 metres above the water. When it was completed in 1997, it was the ninth longest suspension bridge in the world at 1800 metres. The model is the famous and much talked about Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Travelling across the bridge is a delightful experience, and a tip is to stop at the rest area at the northern bridge abutment, where you have a really good view of the bridge. Here is also the Hotel Höga kusten, where there is also a restaurant.
2. Hike the High Coast Trail
The High Coast Trail is probably the most famous hiking trail in the High Coast, and it is also one of Sweden's twelve selected Signature Trails. The trail runs through the entire World Heritage Site, from Hornöberget in the south to Örnsköldsvik in the north. The total length is 12.8 kilometres, divided into 13 stages. If you want to walk the whole thing, you can expect 5-7 days of hiking.
3. Walk the World Heritage Trail
Another hiking trail in the High Coast, which is perhaps less well known, is the World Heritage Trail. The trail, which runs through Nordingrå, is 10 kilometres long and passes several nature reserves and fishing villages. The trail is divided into 14 sections and partly merges with the High Coast Trail.
4. Get to the top of Skuleberget mountain
Getting to the top of Skuleberget is one of the most popular things to do in the High Coast. You can hike to the top, where there's a summit hut with waffles, and in high season there's also the option of going all the way up by lift. As a starting point, you can stay at Skuleberget Havscamping or at Friluftsbyn.
5. Visit Naturum Höga kusten
At the foot of Skuleberget is Naturum Höga kusten, where you will find information and exhibitions about the Höga kusten World Heritage Site, Skuleskogen National Park and Skuleberget. Here you can learn more about land uplift and why the dramatic landscape looks the way it does.
6. Hiking in Skuleskogen National Park
Skuleskogen National Park offers many opportunities for hiking in beautiful and dramatic scenery, while learning about how the ice sheet and land uplift have shaped the landscape.
The national park can be reached via three entrances: Entrance West, Entrance South and Entrance North. From these entrances you can reach several different hiking trails and popular places such as Slåttdalsberget, Slåttdalsskrevan, Tärnättholmarna, Nylandsruten, Långtjärnhällorna, Näskebodarna and Kälsviken.
7. Being impressed by the Slåttdalsskrevan.
Slåttdalsskrevan is an approximately 200 metre long, 30 metre deep and seven metre wide crevice that splits Slåttdalsberget into two parts. It used to be possible to walk through the crevice, but it is now closed for safety reasons. However, you can still walk up to the crevice and look into it, as well as seeing the fantastic the views from the top of the mountain.
8. Take a selfie on Mount Getsvedje
The pulpit on Getsvedjeberget in the High Coast is not to be confused with the impressive Norwegian Preikestolen, but the shape of the rock is somewhat reminiscent of the Norwegian version. The place offers a nice and relatively short hike, as well as a fantastic view and a great photo spot.
9. Tasting chocolate and shoes in Docksta
Just south of Skuleberget is Docksta, perhaps best known for the Docksta Shoe Factory. The factory dates back to 1923, and shoes are still made here by hand.
In Docksta you will also find Jeltsjes Chokladpraliner. All pralines are made by hand and there is a shop and a café. It is also possible to sign up for a workshop to try out the different stages of chocolate making.
10. Take a boat trip to Ulvön, Trysunda or Högbonden.
There is a long list of islands along the High Coast, and in the summer there are several nice boat trips to islands to choose from. With the ferries M/F Ulvön or M/S Kusttrafik you can get out to the popular Ulvön / Ulvöarna or to Trysunda, which is sometimes described as one of the world's most beautiful islands. Sweden's most beautiful islands.
To get to Högbonden, which is a nature reserve in the outermost sea belt of the High Coast, take the ferry M/S Ronja from either Barsta or Bönhamn, for a boat ride of about fifteen minutes.
11. exploring Örnsköldsvik
If you want to combine nature with city life, take the opportunity to explore Örnsköldsvik. Here you will find parks, shops and restaurants, as well as the adventure pool Paradiset. A bit outside of town is Naturkompaniet with a 2000 square metre outdoor shop. You can also check out the distinctive Ting1 residential building, designed by Gert Wingårdh.
12. Recognising the environment at Skeppsmalen
Skeppsmalen, or "Skeppsmaln" as it is apparently pronounced, is a fishing village famous for surströmming. It is home to both the Surströmming Museum and the saltworks that make Röda Ulven's and Mannerström's surströmming.
At the far end of Skeppsmalen is Skagsudde, which is the northernmost part of the High Coast and is equipped with its own weather station. In Skeppsmalen you can also visit the restaurant Fiskevistet (which has surströmming on the menu!) or hike the Lotsstigen, which runs between Stubbsand, Skagshamn and Skeppsmalen.
13. Peek into the Surströmming Museum
The Surströmming Museum in Skeppsmalen is certainly not a big museum, but it's still interesting if you like (or are fascinated by!) surströmming. The museum is not only about the dish, but also focuses a lot on fishing and the lives of the fishermen's families.
14. Holiday in Norrfällsviken
Norrfällsvikens Camping, Stugby & Marina offers a scenic environment with various holiday activities, a charming fishing village with restaurants and no less than four beautiful nature reserves nearby. Here you can experience Norrfällsviken Nature Reserve, Storsand Nature Reserve, Rammberget Nature Reserve and Villmyran Nature Reserve.
15. Hang out in Bönhamn's fishing village
Bönhamn is a small fishing village, where the charming little fishing huts remind you of what life might have been like in the past. There is a small fishing chapel from 1659 and in the summer you can enjoy a meal at the Bönhamn pier restaurant. From here you can also take a boat trip to the popular island of Högbonden.
16. Be fascinated by the open-air museum Mannaminne
Mannaminne in Nordingrå was created in 1980 by artist Anders Åberg and his wife Barbro Åberg. The area contains lots of historical buildings collected by Mr Åberg, as well as vehicles, museums and art. Mannaminne is a very special place, and coming here is a dizzying experience.
17. Experience Härnösand
Härnösand is often described as Norrland's best summer town, and it is not difficult to understand why. There is a historic town centre with fine old wooden houses, shops, restaurants and a seaside location with fine beaches and the possibility of an archipelago cruise with Ådalen III. There are also a number of exciting attractions in and around the city.
18. Visit the Härnösand car museum
One of the most popular destinations in Härnösand is the Härnösand Car Museum. This is Sweden's largest car museum with around 270 vehicles in different themed halls. There is also a café and a caravan park for motorhomes.
19. Travel in time at Murberget Open Air Museum.
Murberget Open Air Museum is one of Sweden's largest open air museums, focusing on showcasing buildings from the history of Norrland. It also houses the Västernorrland Museum, where you'll find exhibitions about Västernorrland and a café.
20. Sunbathing and swimming at Smitingens sea baths
Smitingens Havsbad is a large sandy beach in Härnösand, with fine sand and shallow water. The place is popular for sunbathing and swimming, and you can also hike in the Klubbsjön nature reserve. In the summer, you can have lunch or ice cream in the small beach café.
21. Rest up at Snibben's campsite
Snibbens Camping is located just two kilometres from the Högakustenbron bridge, between Härnösand and Kramfors. The campsite is beautifully situated on a headland, with fantastic views. You come here to enjoy the tranquillity and nature, and perhaps to swim, cycle or paddle.
22. Take a guided tour of Hemsö Fortress
Hemsö Fortress was built to withstand a nuclear attack and be self-sufficient for 90 days, meaning there is a whole world underground. Today, the fortress is shown to tourists, and it is also where the TV series "Secrets of the Elite Force" was filmed. Going on a guided tour here is very interesting!
23. Fishing in the High Coast
Fishing is very popular in the High Coast. Lake fishing can be done in streams, lakes and rivers, such as the Ångermanälven. If you want to fish in the sea instead, there are sea trout, but also, for example, perch and pike-perch. Fishing licences are required for almost all fishing waters, but fishing in the sea is free.
24. try Hernö Gin
Sweden's first pure gin distillery, Hernö Gin, is located in Dala outside Härnösand. The distillery can boast of being Europe's most award-winning gin producer since 2013 and has been awarded the world's best gin every year since 2015.
In summer, the bistro is open every day for lunches, coffee and gin cocktails. It also organises distillery tours and gin tastings, the latter of which must be booked in advance. If, like us, you arrive too early in the season, the drink is of course available at Systembolaget.
25. Tasting whisky from High Coast Distillery
It's not just gin that's produced in the High Coast, but whisky too. At the High Coast Distillery, especially in summer, you can take a guided tour of the distillery, visit the visitor centre or eat at the restaurant, which also has a whisky bar with a patio.
26. Shop for delicacies at Mjällom's flatbread.
Mjälloms tunnbröd, Sweden's oldest flatbread bakery, was founded in 1923 in the small village of Mjällom. In Ullånger, the company has a lovely deli with lots of flatbread, but also other goodies such as cheeses, charcuterie, marmalade and the like.
27. Take a look at Gammelgården
Located in Myckelgensjö village in the northern part of the High Coast, Gammelgården is one of the country's best-preserved farmhouses still in its original location. The farm dates back to the 16th century and consists of more than 30 different buildings.
The farm is open in the summer, when the village association sometimes also has a summer café in one of the buildings. Some scenes in the film "The Children of Frostmountain" were filmed here.
28. check out Sollefteå
Sollefteå is home to Hallstaberget, where you can go skiing in the winter. Nearby is also Hotel Hallstaberget, with a spa and relaxation centre. The Ångermanälven river runs through Sollefteå, which is popular for fishing.
29. Fascinated by Häxberg Mountain
On Häxberget, 71 people were executed on 1 June 1675, including 65 women (every fifth woman in Torsåker parish!), two men and four boys. At the site where the convicted witches were once beheaded and burned at the stake, there is now a memorial stone commemorating the event.
You can park your car at the foot of the mountain and walk about 400 metres to reach the memorial stone. If you want to hike a little further, you can instead reach the site via the 7.5 kilometre Häxstigen trail, which starts at Torsåker church.
30. See the rock carvings at Nämforsen
Nämforsen in the Ångerman River is one of Northern Europe's largest and most impressive rock carving sites. There are around 2 600 rock carvings, the oldest of which are over 6 000 years old. The images mainly depict moose and boats, but also people, birds, fish and various tools.
Right next to the site is the Nämforsen Rock Carving Museum, where you can learn more about its history. In addition, the area, by the large and wild rapids, is stunningly beautiful.
More things to do in the High Coast for nature lovers
There is of course even more to experience in the High Coast, in addition to our tips. Here you will find even more suggestions for things to do in the High Coast for those who enjoy nature.
- High cliffs is a mountain with panoramic views, pebble fields and a cave.
- Mjältön rises 236 metres above sea level, making it Sweden's highest island.
- The root side is a 4 kilometre stretch of coastline with beautiful flat rocky outcrops.
- Red dune is a mountain offering views and an ancient castle from the late Iron Age.
- Skallberg cave is a cave in Skallberget, which can be visited in summer.
- Shipyard mountain offers a beautiful view of Örnsköldsvik.
More to do in the High Coast for those travelling with children
Here are some more tips on things to do in the High Coast for families with children or teenagers.
- Gullvik sea baths is a large sea bath with a kilometre-long sandy beach. (Gullvik 140, Domsjö)
- Junsele Zoo is a park with animals, adventure park and circus. (Slalomvägen 1, Junsele)
- Kayaking can be tested in many different places.
- The Little High Coast Trail is a day hike for those who want to get a taste of the dramatic views of the High Coast Trail.
- Skuleberget Nature Centre is a venue for numerous concerts in the summer.
- Paradise is one of Sweden's most popular adventure pools. (Lasarettsgatan 15, Örnsköldsvik)
Where can you stay or park your motorhome?
The High Coast has many hotels and other accommodation options to choose from. There are also plenty of campsites where you can stay with a motorhome, caravan, tent or cabin, as well as simple caravan sites. It may also be possible to free camp, as long as you follow the rules and regulations and respect nature.
More to see and do in the vicinity of High Coast
If you want to continue north along the coast, you will soon reach Umeå, and if you want to continue south, you will reach Hudiksvall and then fine Axmar jetty. If you go inland instead, you will come to Östersund. Below you will find all our articles on Ångermanland.
What to do in Örnsköldsvik - 15 sights and experiences
What to do in Örnsköldsvik? This city, located in the High Coast, offers...
Visiting Skuleberget and Skuleberget Havscamping.
One thing you don't want to miss in the High Coast is a visit to Skuleberget. We tell you...
Snibbens Camping in the High Coast - peaceful with views
Snibbens Camping in the High Coast is located on a headland with fantastic views. Here you come...
Visiting Nämforsen's rock carvings - a fascinating site
Visiting the Nämforsen rock carvings in Ångermanland is a fascinating experience, partly because the...
Visiting Hemsö Fortress - an exciting destination in the High Coast area
Visiting Hemsö Fortress, in the High Coast, is very interesting. There are guided tours, when...
Visiting Mannaminne in Nordingrå - a different kind of open-air museum
If you want to see something different, visit Mannaminne in Nordingrå, in the High Coast....
Hiking to Slåttdalsskrevan in the High Coast area
What is it like to hike to Slåttdalsskrevan in the High Coast? We recently hiked to this...
The pulpit on Getsvedjeberget - the best photo spot on the High Coast?
The pulpit on Getsvedjeberget - could it be the High Coast's best photo spot? We had seen pictures...
Things to do in Härnösand - 15 tips for a High Coast gem
What to do in Härnösand? This lovely little town, located in the High Coast,...
Norrfällsvikens camping in the High Coast - with fishing village and nature reserve
Norrfällsvikens Camping, Stugby & Marina is a campsite in the High Coast that offers a...
High Coast Bridge on the High Coast
Yesterday we travelled across the Högakustenbron. Högakustenbron is a suspension bridge over the river Ångermanälven, which is really impressive....
Gullviks Havsbad in the High Coast - a great campsite
Now we have left Umeå and made our way to the High Coast and Gullvik sea baths and...
Even more things to do in the High Coast?
Have you visited the High Coast? Do you have any other tips on what to see and do in the High Coast? Let us know!
Facts about the High Coast
- Landscape: Ångermanland
- County: Västernorrland County
- Municipalities: Härnösand municipality, Sollefteå municipality, Kramfors municipality and Örnsköldsvik municipality.
- The name: The term was coined in the early 1970s, in connection with the High Coast Inquiry of 1974, which was carried out by the High Coast Committee on behalf of the County Administrative Board.
- Geology: Since the last ice age, a land uplift of almost 300 metres has made the landscape special, with high cliffs. The area is one of the world's best examples of how glaciation and land uplift affect the Earth's surface.
- World Heritage: The High Coast became a World Heritage Site in 2000, and in 2006 the heritage was extended to include the Kvarken Archipelago in Ostrobothnia, Finland. The World Heritage Site is now called the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago.
- Read more: You can find more information at the destination's website
You might also like:
The pulpit on Getsvedjeberget - the best photo spot on the High Coast?
Hiking to Slåttdalsskrevan in the High Coast area
What to do on Tjörn - 17 tips for a lovely island in Bohuslän.
Dyrön in Bohuslän - a lovely archipelago island outside Tjörn.
Tjurpannan nature reserve - western coastal idyll in Grebbestad
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Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Yes, that's a side of Sweden that I've rarely visited, but I must do so, especially the flatbread thing... Flatbread is what I buy back home in Belgium.
08 July 2023 - 7:02
Helena says:
We have generally travelled very little in northern Sweden, but this year we are trying to change that!!! 🙂 And yes thin bread, is good!!!
13 July 2023 - 8:05