National Geographic Traveller UK - 05.2020 - 06.2020

(Kiana) #1

1


Watch for wildlife
There’s a primordial
allure to Skuleskogen
National Park, with its
flat-topped mountains,
boulder fields and bucolic
countryside. The absence
of roads encourages
wildlife to roam — keep
an eye out for lynx, roe
deer and brown bears, the
park’s elusive residents.
The mighty Slåttdalsskrevan
is a must-see: a 650ft-
long, 130ft-deep canyon
carved by the elements.
sverigesnationalparker.se


2


Take a hike
Spanning the length
of Höga Kusten, the 80-mile
High Coast Trail takes in
soaring cliffs and protected
parkland. Hardy walkers
should dedicate several
days to completing the trek,
beginning at Hornöberget
in the south and finishing
near the city of Örnsköldsvik
in the north. Rustic lodges
along the way are perfect
for resting weary legs.
highcoasttrail.com


3


Soak up the
island life
Red-and-white clapboard
cottages fringe the crescent


bay at Trysunda, a serene
fishing village on an islet of
the same name. Accessible
by boat all year round, the
village’s biggest draw is its
wooden chapel with painted
interiors. Summer days are
best spent on the golden
sands of Björnviken, on the
island’s eastern coast.

4


Reach new
heights
Even novice climbers can
conquer Skule Mountain,
where anchored cables,
rungs and footholds create a
thrilling via ferrata around
the cliff edge. Hire a helmet
and harness before hauling
yourself along one of four
routes. It’s well worth
the effort — the sweeping
vistas from the summit are
breathtaking. viaferrata.se

5


Taste local
delicacies
A must-try for adventurous
eaters is the local delicacy
surströmming, a fermented
herring notorious for its
pungent aromas. The dish
dates back to the 1500s when
fisherman could spare only
a little salt to preserve their
catch, thus causing it to sour.
Late August is when brave

locals start tucking into the
whiffy fish, best served in
the open air on tunnbröd
(flatbread) with a generous
dollop of sour cream.

6


Get in the spirit
Hernö Gin distillery,
in the village of Dala, has
scooped countless awards
for its craft gins, and visitors
can tour the copper stills
before sampling botanical
blends. Further north lies
High Coast Distillery,
a former power station
next to the Ångerman river.
There’s a restaurant and
tasting bar on site, and a
spirited whisky festival
in summer. hernogin.com
highcoastwhisky.se

7


Embrace your
artistic side
In a remote corner of
Höga Kusten, a treehouse
hangs above ground and a
walkway leads over an abyss
— these installations are
the remnants of ArkNat, an
annual architecture festival
that showcases designers
pushing the boundaries
between architecture and
the great outdoors. There’s
a total of nine landmarks to
spot. arknat.com

Getting there: Various airlines
fly from the UK to Umeå with a
connecting flight in Stockholm.
From there, public transport
services reach Höga Kusten.
Alternatively, it’s a six-hour drive.

Essentials

DID YOU


KNOW?


Outerwear brand
Fjällräven comes from
Höga Kusten. As the
story goes, a 1960s
schoolboy created
an alternative hiking
bag with his mother’s
sewing machine. Today,
the Kånken rucksack
is beloved by creatives
and adventurers alike.
fjallraven.com

PARTNER CONTENT FOR HÖGA KUSTEN DESTINATIONSUTVECKLING

To find out more, visit hogakusten.com
Free download pdf