Holiday apartment in Ljusdal: Nature, Culture and Hiking Trails

Ljusdal combines unspoilt landscapes, historic cultural sites and an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails. Between gentle mountains, marshes, forests and the Ljusnan River are destinations that combine nature experiences with regional history and a vibrant present day.

This diversity is particularly evident at places such as Hamra National Park, the Mellanljusnan Nature Reserve and the historic sites of Fågelsjö, Loos and Stenegård. There are also museums, public art and activities for different levels of ability.

Nature

Hamra National Park is located in a rolling primeval landscape with gentle mountains. Across its 1,383 hectares, forests, marshes and waterways alternate. Hamraleden leads through varied natural surroundings throughout the national park; the hike takes approximately six hours. For people with disabilities, the main entrance, Myrentrén and Svartåentrén in the national park are accessible.

At Vildriket, a wooden boardwalk also leads through a natural forest landscape. Vildriket is just under one kilometre from Järvsö railway station on foot. The Mellanljusnan Nature Reserve encompasses a 24-kilometre-long, undeveloped section of the Ljusnan River between Laforsen and Korskrogen, as well as adjacent forest areas. Free-flowing rapids, landforms shaped by the river and the inland ice, and rich flora and fauna define this section.

On both sides of the river, the Mellanljusnan Nature Reserve has marked hiking trails, resting places and shelters. Six access points have information boards, parking facilities, resting places, a campsite and shelters. Flottarstigen runs from Färila to Laforsen along the southern shore of the Ljusnan, coincides with Helgonleden and passes mostly through the Mellanljusnan Nature Reserve. Near Hoppströmmen, this trail has a wooden boardwalk that is also suitable for wheelchair users.

Helgonleden is a pilgrim trail from Uppland towards Nidaros, present-day Trondheim, and follows the southern shore of the Ljusnan from Färila onwards. In the Ramsjö area, a hiking trail of approximately 12 kilometres has been designated, with two access points and parking facilities. From the car park at Järvsöklack Nature Reserve, a 1,350-metre trail leads to the summit; 200 metres in altitude must be climbed. Järvsöklack offers extensive views across the Ljusnan valley.

Naturkartan can be used to find nature reserves, hiking trails, cycling trails and national parks in Ljusdal Municipality.

Culture

Fågelsjö lies in the border region between Hälsingland, Dalarna and Härjedalen. Fågelsjö Gammelgård, also known as Bortom Åa, is one of the seven Hälsingegårdar farmhouses added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 1 July 2012. During guided tours of the preserved historic buildings, you can see, among other things, the old gunsmith’s workshop, the servants’ quarters and the storehouse with its seven locks.

Loos Koboltgruva is a working-life museum that offers various forms of guided tours throughout the year. The two wings of the mine building house a historical exhibition and a mineral collection. Enåsengruvan is a historic gold mine filled with water and bears witness to the region’s rich mining history.

Stenegård is a historic farm where culture, gardens, food and people come together. Experiences, events and creative activities are offered there all year round. There are also seasonal historical tours and garden tours, as well as tours for groups that can be booked year-round. At Stenegård, the Lill-Babs Museum offers a vivid insight into Lill-Babs’ life and work through texts, pictures and objects.

Ljusdalsbygdens Museum offers a broad exhibition programme with a strong educational focus. The museum includes a weaving room and Slöjdverkstan, an educational handicraft programme for children and young people. Ljusdal itself has numerous public artworks. Murals in the area around Bagargränd put the town on the street-art map; numerous public artworks can also be found in the Slotteområdet area and the Gärdeåsen residential district.

Activities

For cycling, Cykla Järvsö offers more than 30 kilometres of safe and sustainably developed mountain bike trails in the forest, as well as a total of 42 trails for different levels of experience. In snow-reliable Harsa, there are up to 85 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails when the entire trail system is open. The municipal tourist information office provides information for the entire municipality of Ljusdal year-round and is located in the old railway station building in Järvsö.

Other Places

Additional place pages: Järvsö, Ljusdal, Hamra, Korskrogen, Färila.

To the higher-level travel overview: Gävleborg.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Hudiksvall, Nordanstig, Bollnäs.