Sweden’s High Coast is on magnificent display from a small town surrounded by forests, mountains and ocean, full of outdoor activities.
From the mountains near Örnsköldsvik, the Gulf of Bothnia stretches out to the horizon. Mostly known as an industrial town at the forefront of environmentally friendly technology, the city is set among some of Sweden’s most amazing natural landscapes. Explore the snowy slopes on skis or learn about the history of this interesting part of the country in the area’s many small museums. Either way, enjoy the fresh air during your visit to Örnsköldsvik.
Make your first outdoor stop Skuleskogen National Park, where rocky outcrops offer sweeping ocean views. Set out on the Hoga Kusten, a trail whose incredible natural beauty is occasionally and pleasingly punctuated by cabins offering coffee and cake in typical Swedish style.
Look for more extreme adventures amid the sheer granite cliffs of Slattdalsskrevan or head to Paradiskullen to view the ski jumping that has made Örnsköldsvik famous.
Take a break in town at the Örnsköldsvik Museum, with a comprehensive collection about the area’s culture. Get close to that history at Gene Fornby, a reconstruction of a Roman Iron Age village built close to the site of an ancient settlement. Lounge near the water’s edge on the beaches of Salusand Havsbad. Enjoy a more cultural adventure wandering through the High Coast Art Valley.
Örnsköldsvik is a 1.5-hour drive south of Umeå, one of northern Sweden’s best-connected towns. Fly into the Umeå airport from a variety of destinations throughout Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. The small airport in Örnsköldsvik offers daily flights to and from Stockholm. Drive from Stockholm in just under 6 hours or travel by train in a little over 5 hours. Regular bus services stop along the highway outside Örnsköldsvik, providing connections throughout the whole region, including cross-country to Östersund. Exploring the local scenery is still best done by private vehicle.
Venture off the beaten track with a tour through Örnsköldsvik’s rural villages, the small communities that made up the area before the 19th century.
