Söderhamn between Archipelago, Nature and Culture

The Söderhamn Archipelago combines barren rocks, lush shores, quiet bays and open sea. Skatberget rises 32 metres above sea level and offers views over the Söderhamn Archipelago and the outer marine belt. Skatön is a coastal nature reserve accessible from the mainland, with swimming opportunities and varied nature, extending into the outer marine belt. Stenö Havsbad is located on a peninsula in the Söderhamn Archipelago; its southern side has a child-friendly sandy beach.

Coast and Nature

Ålsjön is a shallow lake and an important bird habitat. More than 200 bird species have been recorded there, and more than 60 species regularly breed there. In the Ålsjö area, a wooden footbridge runs through large parts of the area; there is also an accessible birdwatching tower. Stenöorn is an important resting place for waders, where almost all wader species that regularly occur in Sweden have been observed. In the Stenöorn Nature Reserve, visitors can watch birds from a birdwatching tower and walk along a path by the sea.

In the Söderhamn Archipelago, visitors can paddle between islands, hike and cycle along the coast, fish from the shore or a boat, and visit coastal nature reserves. For arriving by boat, there are guest harbours, natural harbours and guest jetties.

History and Culture

The Hälsingegården Erik-Anders was built around 1825 and preserves original paintings of unusually high quality in the large upstairs hall and in the two front houses. It is one of seven farmhouses inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name "Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland". Trönö Old Church is a well-preserved late medieval church complex with unrendered stone façades, a covered cemetery wall and a bell tower; its oldest parts date from the late 12th century.

Skärså is an old fishing village with fishermen’s cottages and boathouses on the coast northeast of Söderhamn. The Söderhamn Town Museum is located in the former drill house of the 1748 rifle factory, which has operated as a museum since 1915. The Flygmuseum in Söderhamn presents the history of aircraft, military aircraft and training aircraft stationed at F15 since 1945, and has a Viggen flight simulator. It displays the military aircraft stationed at F15, scenes from the squadron’s daily operations and, outdoors, a J35 Draken.

Alirs Öga is considered Sweden’s largest landscape sculpture and is a popular destination for excursions. In summer, visitors can enjoy the views and nature there; in winter, they can go sledding.

Town and Paths

Oscarsborg on Östra Berget offers panoramic views over Söderhamn and was inaugurated in 1895. Oscarsborg can be reached via the steps from Södra Hamngatan or via Baggargatan. The guided town tour lasts about an hour, passes through Söderhamn town centre and begins at the Söderhamn Town Museum. Kulturvandra is a self-guided town walk through Söderhamn’s history and to historic places in the town.

The regional context of Söderhamn also includes Holmsveden, Söderhamn, Skog, Söderala, Mo, Stråtjära, Norrala, Marmaverken and Ljusne.

Active Days

Sågverkstrampet is a 13-kilometre hiking and cycling route between Söderhamn and Sandarne through forest and cultural landscapes shaped by the sawmill era. In the river from Smäckbron to the sea in central Söderhamn, fishing for pike, perch, coarse fish and trout is free of charge; there are fishing jetties, ramps and wind shelters.

Aquarena Hällåsen is an indoor swimming pool with a 25-metre pool, a children’s pool and a sauna, and offers swimming lessons and water aerobics. In Hällmyra, there is a ski playground and a technique slope for practising downhill skiing or sledding. The longest cross-country ski trail at Hällåsen/Hällmyra is 10 kilometres long and is called Södergrenslingan. At Hällåsen and Hällmyra, you can cross-country ski through varied landscapes and on challenging training trails.

For the broader travel overview: Gävleborg.