Västernorrland is home to the High Coast where the earth is literally rising out of the sea at the fastest rate on the planet. This site features steep granite cliffs and deep blue bays that create a dramatic mountain-meets-sea landscape. You can stand on a summit and look down at an archipelago that was once deep underwater. The views from the top of Skuleberget are among the most famous in the country.
The history of the region is etched into the stone and built into the red fishing villages that dot the coast. You can explore ancient rock carvings at Nämforsen or visit 350-year-old harbors where the tradition of fermented herring began. The land is rugged but the people have found a way to create beauty everywhere from the Art Valley sculptures to world-class whiskey distilleries. It is a place of extremes where the vertical landscape offers a new perspective at every turn.
Your route will take you over the massive High Coast Bridge and along narrow paths that lead to secret forest cabins. The contrast between the rocky heights and the calm sheltered coves is stunning. It is a perfect destination for active travelers who want to hike the trails and then relax with a view of the Baltic. The energy of the rising land is palpable making every mile of the drive feel like an adventure.
Västernorrland highlights
- Skuleberget Mountain Hike or take the lift to the top of this steep peak for the most famous view of the High Coast archipelago. The mountain rises straight from the sea and features a massive cave that was once a hideout for forest outlaws.
- The High Coast Bridge Drive across one of the longest suspension bridges in the world as it spans the massive Ångermanälven river. The bridge is a masterpiece of engineering and the nearby hotel offers a great viewpoint of the valley.
- Mannaminne Explore a sprawling and quirky art project where historic buildings from all over the world are gathered on a hillside. It features old trams and ships and folk art making it the most unique outdoor museum in Sweden.
- Ulvön Island Take the boat to the pearl of the Bothnian Sea famous for its red wooden houses and the tradition of fermented herring. The island is peaceful and car free with beautiful paths leading to old fishing harbors and viewpoints.
- Slåttdalsskrevan Crevice Walk through a narrow and deep canyon where the vertical rock walls rise thirty meters on both sides. It is one of the most dramatic natural sites in the country and is located in the heart of the national park.
- Nämforsen Rock Carvings Discover thousands of ancient carvings of moose and people etched into the rocks beside a massive waterfall. It is one of the largest sites of prehistoric art in Europe and offers a powerful connection to the past.
- The Witch Mountain (Häxberget) Visit the site of the largest witch trials in Swedish history where a memorial stands in a quiet forest clearing. The path up the mountain is peaceful but the history of the place is dark and thought provoking.
- Smitingen Sea Stacks Explore a beach where the waves have carved giant tunnels and stone pillars into the rocky cliffs. It is a popular spot for summer swimming and winter surfing with some of the most unusual geology on the coast.
- High Coast Distillery Stop at a world class whiskey distillery located right on the banks of the cold river water. You can take a tour of the warehouse and learn how the extreme northern climate helps age the spirits in the oak barrels.
- Västanåfallet Waterfall Follow the trails to a tall and elegant waterfall that tumbles down a series of rocky steps in a lush green valley. The area is a nature reserve with an old wooden mill and quiet spots for a forest picnic.
The local Four
History of Västernorrland
The history of Västernorrland is a story of the earth moving. Since the last Ice Age ended 10,000 years ago, the land here has risen nearly 300 meters, the highest post glacial rebound in the world. This created the High Coast, where Bronze Age hunters built stone burial cairns on peaks that were then at sea level but are now hundreds of meters high. Ancient rock carvings at Nämforsen, dating back to 4000 BC, show that this has been a spiritual center for moose hunters for six millennia.
In the mid-1800s, the region became the "Sawmill Coast." The mouth of the Ångermanälven river was lined with hundreds of steam-powered sawmills, making it the most industrialized area in Sweden at the time. This era led to the famous Ådalen riots of 1931, a massive labor strike where the military opened fire on protesters, an event that forever changed Swedish politics and labor laws. It was a time of huge wealth for the "Timber Barons" and intense struggle for the workers.
A road trip here follows the dramatic vertical landscape. You can visit the 17th-century fishing harbor of Ulvön, where the tradition of surströmming (fermented herring) was perfected as a way for sailors to preserve food with very little salt. The roads cross the massive High Coast Bridge, a modern engineering marvel that spans the deep fjord. From the ancient rock art of the first hunters to the industrial ruins of the timber boom, Västernorrland is a monument to a landscape that never stands still.