Nordanstig: Holiday apartments between coast, forest and culture

Nordanstig spans from a coast with long sandy beaches to vast inland forests, connected by a sense of wilderness. The landscapes range from coastal areas to uplands; they are complemented by fishing villages, boat tours, summer farms, viewpoints, forests and rural valleys. A prominent route through this diversity is the Kustleden. The 62 km-long hiking trail begins at Kalkungsviken north of Oxsand, leads to Nordanstig and extends southwards to Sågtäkten south of Strömsbruk. Along the way, it passes sandy beaches, cliffs, forests, fishing villages, industrial environments and ancient monuments.

Landscape and nature

The nature reserves showcase different sides of the region. Gnarpskaten Nature Reserve is a coastal landscape with extensive fields of rounded stones, distinct storm beach ridges, a sandy beach and wind-blown sand dunes. In Vattingsmalarna Nature Reserve, coastal fields of rounded stones, beach terraces, storm beach ridges and pine heath dominate the landscape; along the coast, there are habitats for seabirds and waders. Vitörarna Nature Reserve consists of two larger islands and several smaller skerries with forests, fields of rounded stones, beach meadows, rocky shores and sea.

In Dammtjärn Nature Reserve, dry forest, swamp forest, wooded and open wetlands, forest streams and pools meet. This includes old, approximately 150-year-old spruce swamp forest with hanging lichens. Gnarpskaten also preserves historical traces: there are burial mounds and burial grounds from the Stone Age and Iron Age. In the central part lies a larger Stone Age burial mound; on Tosskär there are several Iron Age burial grounds, including a larger field with around 30 graves.

Trails and activities

Vallstigen connects different landscape elevations and sections of trail. It passes 11 summer-farm meadows and rises from sea level to 330 m at Västansjökullen. Along the route, there are shelters, basic rest areas, opportunities for swimming and places to pitch tents. Overall, Vallstigen runs along a route of approximately 63 km from the outdoor swimming pool in Hassela to the harbour of Norrfjärden.

Shorter trails also focus on different themes. The Kulturstigen in Sörfjärden is an approximately 3 km-long cultural trail with 21 information stations about the area's industrial, fishing, agricultural and settlement history. Near Sindra, a nature trail runs along the power plant canal and includes remains of the former log-driving operations. Also near Sindra, there is a power plant dam and a bridge to a natural area on the eastern shore of Storsjön, offering views across the entire lake.

At Trolska Skogen, the interactive walk is approximately 1.5 km long. Trolska Skogen is also a theatrical experience for the whole family, where visitors walk through the forest at their own pace and meet various forest creatures. In Nordanstig, sailing, hiking, climbing, cycling, downhill skiing, golf, fishing, horse riding and swimming are listed as recreational activities.

Culture, history and flavour

The Gränsfors Axe Museum displays more than 2,000 axes. These include a stone axe approximately 3,500 years old, as well as models made in Gränsfors before and after the founding of the forge. Another historic site is Ersk-Matsgården. The estate comprises 15 buildings, each with its own function, including a waterworks with a saw and shingle planer, as well as a mill with a flax-processing workshop powered by a large waterwheel.

Ersk-Matsgården is a living farm in a 19th-century setting with livestock, guided tours and themed days. During the summer season, visitors can visit Ersk-Matsgården in Hassela and try traditional, old-fashioned dishes such as an oat porridge dish, pancakes with pork, blood bread with white sauce and fried bread. The cultural scene is complemented by several art halls and galleries in Nordanstig, including venues in historically interesting buildings and spaces.

Getting there and regional orientation

Nordanstig can be reached by car, boat, train or bus. Gnarp has a railway station where regional trains from Gävle/Hudiksvall and Sundsvall stop; there are also numerous local bus connections. For arriving boats, Nordanstig has two guest harbours, one in Stocka and one in Mellanfjärden.

Also take the time to read the conditions for arrival and departure, the payment method and any applicable deadlines directly in the respective listing. This makes it possible to compare different offers based on their specific terms and conditions.

Other places in the region: Gnarp, Bergsjö, Strömsbruk, Hassela, Jättendal, Harmånger, Ilsbo; another regional destination is Bollnäs.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gävleborg.