Örnsköldsvik: High Coast, Trails and Culture

Part of the High Coast World Heritage Site lies in the coastal area of Örnsköldsvik Municipality. It is classified as a World Heritage Site because of the world's largest land uplift. On Åsberget, the Gula leden connects a six-kilometre circular trail with large erratic boulders, scree fields, steep slopes and bedrock polished by ice; at the same time, it offers wide views over the land, city and sea.

Trails and viewpoints

From Varvsberget, the view extends far across Örnsköldsvik and the sea to Balesudden and Skags udde, both by day and at night. Halfway up the mountain near Hörnsjön, there is a lit training track, an outdoor gym, a wind shelter and barbecue areas.

Fyra Berg is an accessible hiking trail close to the city that runs over Åsberget, Mycklingsberget, Svedjeberget and Varvsberget. The trail is signposted from the south side of Örnsköldsvik Travel Centre; information linked via QR codes along the route covers nature, culture and historical events.

The High Coast Trail is divided into nine sections of varying length and difficulty. Örnsköldsvik is one of two starting points; the Örnsköldsvik starting point is located in Stadsträdgården. The ninth section runs from the Balesudden Nature Reserve to Örnsköldsvik and is 18.8 kilometres long.

Culture

At Örnsköldsvik Museum and the Art Gallery, the permanent exhibition Arkiv Ö tells the story of Örnsköldsvik for children and adults. The exhibitions at the Art Gallery change several times a year.

Örnsköldsvik Museum and the Art Gallery offer craft activities, weekly Kulturlab sessions, open guided tours, discussion evenings, lunchtime talks and lectures. Bror Marklund's studio is located next to Örnsköldsvik Museum and the Art Gallery. Örnsköldsvik Church is located in the centre of the city.

In Örnsköldsvik Municipality, about one Swedish mile outside Örnsköldsvik, lies Brynge cultural area, an open-air museum focusing on hydropower and flax processing. Nolavonda is a permanent exhibition produced by Örnsköldsvik Museum and the Art Gallery.

Nature reserves

Within Örnsköldsvik Municipality, Alneskogen Nature Reserve can be reached by car or bus. It includes a former industrial area that nature has reclaimed; remains of the Alne steam sawmill, quays and workers' housing are preserved in the forest.

Vändåtberget Nature Reserve protects taiga, including northern coniferous forest partly shaped by earlier forest fires. The Urskogsleden hiking trail runs through Vändåtberget; there is a cabin with a stove where you can spend the night. Fishing is available in Örnsköldsvik in most lakes and larger rivers and streams, as well as in bays along the flatter coastal sections.

Active holidays

At Skyttis, the ski tracks are groomed for both freestyle and classic skiing. The snowmaking system allows an earlier start and an extended ski season there.

Paradiset is an aquatic centre and spa offering a comprehensive range of activities and experiences in sport, swimming and wellness. In central Örnsköldsvik, the CK Örnen Downhill Park is located west of the ski jumps on Varvsberget; it has seven marked downhill trails.

The local overview also includes Husum, Örnsköldsvik, Själevad, Ulvöhamn, Skorped, Solberg, Bjästa, Domsjö, Mellansel, Kantsjö and Norum.

For the broader travel overview: Västernorrland.