Things to do in Hudiksvall in Hälsingland - 15 tips

What can you do in Hudiksvall? We have visited "Glada Hudik" and had some great days in and around this town. Here are all our top tips on things to see and do in Hudiksvall.

Hudiksvall

Hudiksvall, which is the largest town in Hälsingland, is beautifully situated by the coast. Here you will find a charming environment with boathouses and the opportunity for great nature experiences in the surroundings.

The town is known to many as "Glada Hudik", but why? According to what we have read, the expression originates from the end of the 18th century, when the "fine people" travelled to Hudiksvall to "drink well" and live an upper-class life, with all kinds of festivities.

Hudiksvall is located along the east coast, at the far end of Hudiksvallsfjärden, about 80 kilometres south of Sundsvall and about 130 kilometres north of Gävle.

What can you do in Hudiksvall?

So what can you do in Hudiksvall? There is a lot to see and discover both in and around the town. Here are our top tips on things to do in Hudiksvall.

1. experience the environment around the boathouses

In the centre of Hudiksvall is a long row of charming boathouses, which have more or less become the town's hallmark. In the past, similar boathouses were found in most northern harbour towns, but only here have they been preserved in this way.

The sheds, built in the 19th century, offer a very picturesque setting. Today you will find several restaurants and craft shops here. Among others, you can eat at Möljen Café & Grill, which has a nice outdoor seating area.

2. Check out the Hudiksvall church

Hudiksvall Church, or Jacob's Church as it is also called, sits on a hill not far from the boathouses. The original church was consecrated in 1672 and a number of changes have taken place since then, including in 1888 when the church was decorated in dark neo-baroque style and extensive decorations.

A little bit special is the so-called "Russian bullet", which was fired from a Russian galley into the church in 1721. The original was stolen in 1972 and has been replaced by a copy.

3. visit the Hälsingland Museum

Hälsingland Museum is a cultural history museum located in an old bank palace in the centre of Hudiksvall. Here you can discover both history and art, in the form of both permanent and temporary exhibitions. A nice museum we thought, which is also completely free to visit.

4. Take a walk by Lillfjärden

Lake Lillfjärden is located in the centre of Hudiksvall, where there are plenty of fish and birds. The lake has a circumference of 2.2 kilometres, and is popular for both walking and jogging.

5. Sunbathing and swimming at Malnbaden

Malnbaden, located right next to the centre of Hudiksvall, offers a fantastic sandy beach. The restaurant is also located here Maln Sea & Hook and Malnbadens Camping. We can imagine that this place is very popular as soon as it is time for hot summer days.

6. Discover Hornslandet and Kuggören fishing village

Hornslandet is a large peninsula in the Bothnian Sea, about 15 kilometres east of Hudiksvall. Here you will find the charming fishing village of Kuggören, where you can enjoy picturesque views, swim or shop for fish.

We also checked out the "Labyrinth of Kuggörarna". This labyrinth is thought to be 1400 years old, but it is also possible that it is medieval or younger.

7. Holiday in Hölick

At Hölick, on Hornslandet, there are fantastic sandy beaches: Storsand and Östra havsbadet. Storsand is also home to the restaurant Sand & Kitchen, which is open during the high season and offers fantastic views.

We also checked out Hölick Havsresort & Spa, which looked to be a fantastically nice and relaxing place. You can stay here with a campervan or caravan, or you can stay in a cabin or a lovely glamping tent in tipi style. There is also a nice spa.

8. Peek into the Hölick Caves

In Hölicks nature reserve on the southern tip of Hornslandet is The caves of Hölick, which boasts Europe's second longest system of underground caves. The cave system is a whopping 1,340 metres long. We made our way here, which meant a relatively short, but pleasant, hike over logs and stones

We found a cave opening, with a rope, but didn't go far in at all. It was dark, cramped and damp down there! To get into the cave, you need good shoes, loose clothing, suitable equipment with several light sources, and preferably both experience and the right mental attitude. It is also possible to book a guided tour.

9. Take an excursion to Mellanfjärden

Mellanfjärden is a small seaside village in Nordanstig municipality, about 38 kilometres north of Hudiksvall. This is a really charming fishing village where you will find, among other things, the restaurant The sea markbut also a café, shop, hotel and campsite.

10. Take the kids to the Trolska Forest

Right next to Mellanfjärden you will find The magical forest, where you can book theatre adventures with your children. It organises music and theatre performances and other cultural activities in the forest.

11. Enjoy the environment at Stocka Guest Harbour

If you are travelling by motorhome (or boat), we can highly recommend a stop at Stocka Guest Harbour. Here we stood nicely by the water, and we sat for several hours enjoying the sun in the deck chairs. A little later, a chilly fog came in over the water, and that was nice too! The campsite has all the services you need, including a washing machine and the possibility to wash dishes outdoors.

12. Ride a trolley on the Dellen railway

Curious about cycling the Dellenbanan? Dellenbanan offers dressage cycling on 54 kilometres of railway between Hudiksvall and Hybo. All trolley rides start at Delsbo station, where you will also find a station café and information.

13. Hike in Blacksås nature reserve

Blacksås nature reserve offers great scenery and at the top of Blacksåsberget you should be able to get a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape. We took the campervan to the western side, which should offer an easier hike up. Instead, the road to get there was quite challenging for the campervan, on narrow winding roads with gravel, and it took time to drive.

Once we arrived, we set off on a walking trail, which was certainly nice, but unfortunately we did not find the dramatic viewpoint that is supposed to be there. In hindsight we think either that the path continued in some direction that we missed or that we would have had to choose the eastern side, with the more demanding hike. In other words, check more carefully if you make your way here!

14. Discover the Boda Caves

The Boda Caves Nature Reserve is home to another ancient cave, considered the second longest in the world. The total length reaches just over 2,900 metres. We followed the path to the cave, which meant a short hike, partly over large boulders.

The best way to find the cave entrance is to first follow yellow markings around trees, and then look for a small area surrounded by a fence. There is an entrance here, with a rope to follow.

It should be reasonably easy to get to the first main hall. Please note, however, that it requires you to be fully mobile, to wear good and loose clothing and to have good lighting with you. It can be damp and slippery in the cave, and it is dark. All visits are at your own risk.

We descended a little way into the cave, but would have needed some better equipment to get to the main hall. Under the right conditions it could be exciting though!

15. Take a trip to Forsa

In Forsa you will find Forsa forngård, which is located in Fränö, on a headland in Långsjön. The farm has several historic buildings with environments from the 19th century. The local history society sometimes organises various activities, such as Midsummer celebrations. We were here on Midsummer's Eve, and there was everything from fiddlers' music to dancing around the midsummer pole and the sale of traditional health cheesecake.

Not far from the forecourt you will find the Forsa commercial garden, with a shop and café. Fishing is also popular in the area.

More to see and do in Hudiksvall

There is of course even more to see and do in Hudiksvall than our tips. Here you will find some more suggestions.

• Avholmsberget offers a fantastic view of the Dellen lakes. There is also Avholmsberget Café and Restaurant.
• The Dellens Lakes is a popular area, which can be experienced for example by bike around the northern Dellen.
• Fishing can be done in different places, for example in Dellenbygden, Enånger, Forsa or Hornslandet.
• Hälsingland farms there are a bunch in the area such as Delsbo forngård, Bjuråkers forngård and Norrbo hembygdsgård.
• M/S Hulda makes summer trips from the centre of Hudiksvall to Storhamn on Agön.
• Mulle Meck offers activities for children.
• TeWes Pastry Shop is a pastry shop that dates back to 1957.

Where can I stay in Hudiksvall, or bring my campervan?

In Hudiksvall there are many different hotels and other accommodation options. If, like us, you are travelling with a camping vehicle, there are also a bunch of different options in and around Hudiksvall. Here are some tips:

• Hölick Havsresort & Spa, Arnöviken 84
• Malnbadens Camping, Malnvägen 34
• Sagaliden. A small place, Sagalidenvägen 1, Bergsjö
• Small craft harbour, Hamngatan 16 D (regular car park)
• Stocka guest harbour car park, Strandvägen 20, Stocka
• Urö Gård car park, Urövägen Hudiksvall

More to see and do near Hudiksvall

If you are travelling south from Hudiksvall you can visit the beautiful the fishing village of Skärså and the town of Söderhamn. If you're travelling north, you can get to the beautiful town of Sundsvall. Inland you will find, among others popular Järvsö and Orbaden with the "Hälsingland Riviera".

More tips on things to do in Hudiksvall?

Have you visited Hudiksvall? Do you have any other suggestions for things to see and do in Hudiksvall? Please tell us!