CYCLING
Few places in Sweden have such undulating and varied terrain as the High Coast and what better way to explore it than from the saddle of a bicycle? Regardless of where you are in the High Coast, if you decide to cycle there will be plenty of places you pass where you can stay and eat. Here are some favourite routes that you can choose from according to what kind of cycling you prefer.
Road biking
Nordingrå
Roads more beautiful or varied than the ones around Nordingrå and out towards the coast would be hard to find. Wonderful asphalt roads wind past lush meadows, mountains, small lakes and coastal bays. If you start in Nordingrå, it’s easy to follow the road out towards Häggvik on the coast, continue on to Barsta, enjoy the hill down to Bönhamn and then continue on via Omne out to Norrfällsviken. Magical. The area is undulating but easy to cycle, it’s varied and finding good routes that loop back to where you started isn’t hard.
Örnsköldsvik
Another lovely country road loop that takes a little over two hours starts in Örnsköldsvik. Cycle past Hörnett and continue southwards past Bergom. Turn right after you have passed Bjästa. Continue on along the undulating road to beautiful Sidensjö Church where you turn right at the crossing and follow route 335 back to Örnsköldsvik. This is one of the better and more beautiful routes in the High Coast region and is popular among cycling clubs.
The High Coast Bridge
If you want to experience unbeatable sea views, cycling over the High Coast Bridge is a classic and unforgettable option. There are several ways you can work this into a looped route. The easiest is perhaps to start at Hotell Höga Kusten on Hornöberget, which is a good place to start and finish as it’s easy to park your car and you can enjoy a cold drink at the hotel bar when you finish. Another option is to cycle Ramvik-Lunde-Sandöbron or take the longer option where you follow route 90 towards Kramfors and on up to Nyland before you cross the river and go downstream via route 334 back to Hornöberget. Both these options have beautiful views and travel through charming countryside. The first is about 30 km and the second about 80 km long.
Mountainbiking
Varvsberget in Örnsköldsvik is a mountain that you can take the lift up, so you can bike down. Roll directly from the platform at the travel centre to the lift, take it to the top, and be spoilt for choice on how to get back down again – there are trails in every direction. Choose one that suits your level of expertise – they range from those suited to beginners to those that would be suitable for a world cup competition.
Hallstaberget in Sollefteå is Emma Johansson’s home mountain and there are countless tracks and trails on and around the mountain. If you are looking for speed, take your road bike and do a few laps around the sealed roller-ski track.
In Nordingrå, in the heart of the High Coast, there are plenty of fun winding trails to choose between. Don’t miss biking up Ringkallen, which will get your pulse racing no matter how fit you are and then take the south trail back down again. The World Heritage Trail along the coast is a good choice past Bönhamn and Barsta. From Barsta, you can easily reach Rotsidan with its smooth rocky shoreline that stretches several kilometres along the coast and has excellent technical, fast and entertaining cycling. Take in the smell of the sea as you turn off onto a winding trail. You should also try out the trails around Högklinten and Norrfällsviken.
Vårdkasberget in Härnösand is home to one of northern Sweden’s most active cycling clubs and many successful cyclists originated here. From the main buildings at the ski studio there are two trails with varying levels of difficulty that have sections of fast single track, stony uneven ground and smooth rocky shorelines. Get a real flow going on the hand-built technical course halfway up to the top.
The area known as Gene Fornby – an old Iron Age village – just south of Örnsköldsvik is a true biking Eldorado. There are countless trails that crisscross each other, you can spend hours in here combining them all. A true goldmine for cross country bikers.
The king of all the trails has to be the High Coast Trail. You can bike the entire trail, but it is technically demanding in places and sometimes it is almost impossible to continue without getting off. One section that is highly recommended is the section through Skuleskogen National Park between Käl and Näske. A mix of technical and fast forest trails with just a couple of places that you will have to get off and carry your bike for a bit. Please note that it is only permitted to bike the trail that goes along the water in the national park.
Rent a bike in the High Coast
You can rent bikes at Sollefteå Camping, Lappuddens Friluftscenter and Resklara.
