Hälsingland Farmhouses

Hälsingland
Time together
www.halsingland.se
Hälsingland
- a truly unique part of the world
The sea, the lakes and the rivers, the magnificent blue-tinged
­mountains, the flowering flax… This is, for many, the essence of
Hälsingland; its shapes, movements, shades and reflections of blue.
The blues are breathtaking in their contrast to the lush greens and
­magical forests – spectacular scenery set in a unique countryside setting.
Here you’ll find canoeing and fishing in sparkling pure waters,
­mushroom and berry picking, horse riding and tramping along old
pathways… The great Hälsingland forests are broken up by picturesque ancient villages in the valleys where a rich folk culture manifested in the handicrafts, artwork, music and in our fantastic Hälsingland
farmhouses.
This region attracts people all summer long with its liveliness, passion, gaiety and serenity. Hälsingland offer everything from song evenings on balmy summer night to rock festivals, folk musician’s rallies,
local theatre and Hambo folk dancing.
This glistening winter landscape invites you to play and relax in
the slopes and cross-country tracks. Its close vicinity to Mälardalen
makes Hälsingland an attractive alternative to the mountain resorts.
Treat yourself to Hälsingland – a truly unique part of the world!
DISTANCE FROM STOCKHOLM
BOLLNÄS – 280 km
EDSBYN – 300 km
HASSELA – 370 km
HUDIKSVALL – 310 km
JÄRVSÖ – 320 km
LJUSDAL – 340 km
SÖDERHAMN – 260 km
www.halsingland.se 2 | 3
The sea, the lakes
and the blue mountains
Nature at the heart of all things.
An area, a place, even a town is characterised by the
nature around it. Nature is at the heart of all things.
The Hälsingland landscape varies greatly from archipelago and coastal towns to ancient cultural
buildings and deep forests.
Peaceful meres, fens and lakes rest alongside
the Finnmark mountains. The wild currents of the
woodland streams pan out into majestic rivers in
great wide valleys. Meadows, fields and grazing land
create light and space between the towns and an-
Bathing in Vinströmmen is
a must in the summer.
4 | 5 www.halsingland.se
cient farming villages. Hälsingland has more than
one thousand inland lakes, many of which are great
bathing lakes. The waterways also offer great bathing opportunities with a number of beautiful coastal
bathing spots. Why not stay a while right in the
middle of this beautiful countryside in one of the
province’s picturesque camping grounds?
The distance between Hälsingland’s many contrasting landscapes is minimal, in a car often just a
quarter of an hour...
Hälsingland is flax country.
The Ljusnan River –
lifeblood of Hälsingland.
Orbaden - Hälsinglands riviera.
Jon-Lars in Långhed, Alfta, is Hälsingland’s largest farmhouse.
Children love to play ”In great-grandmother’s times” in Regnsjö.
Hälsingegården Mårtes in Edsbyn has wonderfully characteristic rooms.
Hälsingland Farmhouses
Stately and magnificent - The Hälsingland farmhouse is
a symbol of the pride of the Hälsingland farmer through
the ages.
The Hälsingland farmhouse is a glimpse into the
past, to the times of the developing high-class provincial building culture. The Hälsingland farmer
was his own lord and master, and the Hälsingland
farmhouse is the result of the farming family’s work
on the land and forests and their unique sense of
style and design. There are over one thousand Hälsingland ­farmhouses, each a valuable historical document preserved in our province.
Strong colours and images and an enormous
range of music, dance, painting, textiles and handicrafts characterise the province of Hälsingland.
Regardless of whether the Hälsingland farmhouse
you visit is privately run or run by a local heritage
society, your hosts will gladly tell you all about the
farmhouse and history.
Today, there are around 50 Hälsingland farmhouses open to visitors. There are a number of similarities to be found in the farmhouses’ architecture,
paintings and history but no two are alike. Stay a
couple of nights at one of these culturally historic
masterpieces and be a part of our cultural heritage
through the farm and the people you meet there.
These farmhouses are a major part of Hälsingland’s identity and well worth closer acquaintance.
The Hälsingland farmhouses are considered so
unique and to have so many distinctive qualities that
the Swedish government has applied for their nomination to the UN/Unesco World Heritage List. This
is a listing of all the cultural and natural sites deemed
to be of such great value to mankind to qualify as a
universal heritage.
www.halsingland.se 6 | 7
The lynx is the provincial
animal of Hälsingland.
The ducess of Hälsingland Madeleine and Swedish Crown Princess Victoria on a visit
at Svedbovallen in Järvsö, petting the little calf Lisa.
Walking trails will take you out and about in nature.
Out and about in nature
...and into the animal park.
Hälsingland offers many easy ways to get out and
about in nature. The landscape is criss-crossed by
walking trails, cycle paths and bridle paths. Choose
the adventure that suits you best to see our great forests and beautiful countryside!
Hälsingland is one of Sweden’s most richly forested ­provinces with many wilderness tour operators
at work here. Finnskogsriket, or Finnish Country,
is an area ­overlapping three different provinces and
encompasses the Hälsingland forest ­region south of
Bollnäs and Edsbyn.
Canoeing is both relaxation and exercise in one.
Particularly picturesque stretches of river are to be
found at the lower end of the Voxnan River (the upper part is for the more adventurous) and the Svågan,
north-west of Delsbo. An excursion in a sea kayak in
the Hälsingland archipelago is an absolute must for
the more experienced seafarer.
Many hosts offering accommodation and activi-
ties are also licensed members of Naturens Bästa
(Nature’s Best), a ­quality certification in ecological
adventure ­tourism. One of those companies is Vargas Wilderness Lodge who became the winner of
Grand Travel Awards Ecotourism prize 2010 for
there excellent offers of bear watching tours. ­
Järvzoo, the Nordic wildlife park in Järvsö, is a
must for the animal and nature lover. Visitors to the
zoo will stroll though rich and varied Hälsingland
nature on a 3-kilometre wooden walkway and encounter the many Nordic species of ­mammals and
birds there. For the really adventurous there is the
“wolf hotel” where you can spend a night eye to eye
with the wolves.
Within the same complex is the adventure and
­knowledge centre Rovdjurscentret De 5 Stora – The
Big 5 Predator ­Centre. This centre dedicated to the
four great Nordic ­predators and their interaction
with man – the fifth predator…
www.halsingland.se 8 | 9
Växbo Kvarn
- idyllic.
Axeforging at
Gränsfors Bruk.
Traditional techniques – modern design.
Filtmakeri in Kilafors.
Art of Mårten Andersson.
Unique art and crafts
Go on your own art and crafts tour of Hälsingland!
Expert craftsmen and women and inspired hobbyists are ­carrying on Hälsingland’s old handicraft
traditions. ­Centuries-old patterns and designs exist side by side with ­today’s innovative new arts and
craftsmanship.
Timbering, carpentry and furniture crafting, forging and carving, basket-making and ceramics… Our
textile crafts are world class. Växbo is the flax capital of Hälsingland. The ­historically significant flax
and linen culture is faithfully ­maintained here but
also developed by innovative designers and clothing
craftsmen.
In Trolldalen (the Valley of the Trolls), are the country’s best-preserved examples from the flax processing
heyday of the 1800s. A number of old flax processing
works line the stream through this magical valley. Just
less than a kilometre away is Växbo Lin AB, Scandinavia’s only spinning mill. Here you can witness
the production of fantastic linen products, which are
award winning in both quality and design.
Museums and homesteads tell of the province’s
­spiritual and material culture of past times. Contemporary styles ­characterise the design of clothing, jewellery, furniture and other everyday items.
Tomorrows’s art is finding its place in galleries and
exhibitions of today. Experiences are plentiful here,
especially during the summer. So go on your own art
and crafts tour of Hälsingland!
www.halsingland.se 10 | 11
You’ll spot a fisherman’s hut dotted
here and there, perhaps a boathouse,
the odd glimpse of a summer veranda
or the gable of a house.
Candle light evening in Söderhamn.
Hudiksvall is famous for its boathouses.
Miles of uninterrupted
coastline and sea
Sweden’s most uncrowded archipelago.
The Hälsingland coastline measures approximately
130 km as the crow flies and is an enormously diverse landscape of bays and inlets. Here, between
the open sea and the mainland, is a favourite part of
Hälsingland for many.
Hälsingland’s coastal fishing villages – weathered houses and huts, the occasional centuriesold chapel – are remnants of an ancient fishing
industry. Here and there this industry still exists
with the dawn catch delivered the same morning
to the coastal smokehouses, fish delis and restaurants. The archipelago here is probably Sweden’s
most uncrowded. You’ll spot a fisherman’s hut
dotted here and there, perhaps a boathouse, the
odd glimpse of a summer veranda or the gable of
a house. The views are otherwise totally uninterrupted in this remote archipelago and open sea.
Go ashore in a deserted bay, feel the heat of the
sun on the rocks and the white sand between your
toes. Head for one of the fishing villages, moor up
at a guest harbour, put on your finery and experience the culinary delights of a local restaurant! Or
why not rent a cottage here?
Somewhere in the distance is the sound of an
accordion. Recapture your childhood memories of
summer at the beach.
Authentic marine towns
Pearls of the Hälsingland coastline.
Hudiksvall and Söderhamn are the pearls of the
Hälsingland coastline with one foot in the sea and
the rocky coastline at their back. The sea is an integral part of these towns with wharves right in the
inner city to fish from! Many townsfolk have their
boats moored right next to their houses and are
out in the archipelago in half an hour. Townsfolk
and visitors alike can enjoy events such as town
carnivals, festivals and markets all summer long.
Galleries and malls are open all year round for
great shopping. Exquisitely preserved buildings
and lively city centres with boutiques, cafés, restaurants and hotels create that special small town
atmosphere.
At the heart of southern Hälsingland’s inland area
is ­Bollnäs, situated in the beautifully undulating
landscape ­beside Lake Varpen. Ljusdal is the buzzing centre of north-west Hälsingland with a cultural
profile displayed in the town’s many artistic embellishments.
www.halsingland.se 12 | 13
The Hedlund sisters love to perform at their home arena.
Rockweekend in Mohed – one of the country’s most famous music festivals.
Sång, dans och musik
Hitta din finaste sommarstund.
Hälsingland summers mean music. All around the
region are large and small concerts, folk musicians’
rallies, dance evenings, music festivals, courses in
folk dance and folk music. Even the inns and pubs
contribute to the magical musical climate of Hälsingland with both troubadours and cover bands…
There are so many different activities to choose
from every day during the peak season. Some are
large, national events such as the Hälsingehambon
(folk dance competition) and the Delsbostämman
(folk musicians’ rally) while others create a fantastic
atmosphere in a smaller format.
Make sure to pay a visit to the popular singer LillBabs in Järvsö – have a coffee, or shop in her coffeestore, and have a look at the exhibition about her
amazing career.
Hälsingland’s many tourist hosts would like nothing more that to help you find that magical summer
moment!
Hälsingland is the arena for a large number of
theatrical performances with the highest number of
theatres per km² in the country! This is especially
true in the summertime when the amateur theatre
groups are in action.
The Active Vacation
Cycling, wakeboard and skateboard.
The entire Hälsingland is full of possibilities for
those who like to exercise their body – go kayaking
in a rapid, lake or the sea, climb in the mountains, or
go skateboarding or wakeboarding.
Järvsö Mountainbike Park has downhill-cycling
for the whole family – in carefully created slopes,
both the beginner and the expert can find their favourite slope. With the help of the lift both cyclists
and walkers can reach the top in no time.
It’s easy to make your vacation in Hälsingland an
active one.
14 | 15 www.halsingland.se
Action filled vacation
for the whole family this year’s piece of news
is Järvsö Bike Park.
Wakeboarding in one of
the lakes of Hälsingland.
Skateboard in Bollnäs.
Renowned tourist-hotel Järvsöbaden has its own golf-course.
Many of the accommodation alternatives offer dining based on local
­culinary traditions and using local produce. This is displayed in the
menus that often offer delicacies from both the forests and lakes.
Don’t be surprised if you also find one or two traditional dishes dating
back to traditional farming fare.
A view from the Spa-facility at Orbaden.
Enjoy good food in Hälsingland.
Fine dining
and superb hospitality
The view from Orbaden’s spa and relaxation area.
As a guest in Hälsingland you can choose from any
number of accommodation options.
Modern conference facilities, spa and wellbeing
­hotels,comfortable cottages,top standard hostels,cosy
bed & breakfasts and picturesque camping grounds.
Orbaden Konferens & Spa is Hälsingland’s only
member ­resort of Swedish Spa Hotels. Within
walking distance is one of the province’s finest
beaches.
Classic hotels, such as Järvsöbaden, and guesthouses are steeped in tradition, making them an ex-
perience in ­themselves. Lose yourself for a moment
in an atmosphere of times gone by!
Perhaps the most special accommodation option
– and one that is unique in Hälsingland – is Stay
at a Hälsingland ­Farmhouse. As a guest here you
will enjoy environments that are among the finest
in the country – manor houses in true farming style.
Many accommodation options also offer dining
based on local culinary traditions and using local
produce. This is displayed in the menus that often
offer delicacies from both the forest and lakes.
www.halsingland.se 16 | 17
You’re in Hälsingland, a truly
unique part of the world.
Evening fishing in one of Hälsingland’s many streams.
The fish are biting!
Fishing in lakes, rivers and the sea.
There are endless fishing opportunities for anglers in ­Hälsingland. A fishing weekend out in the
country in unexploited fishing waters is a great
way to relax and unwind! In the more than one
thousand kilometres of flowing waters and over
one thousand inland lakes are large stocks of pike,
perch, brown trout, grayling, char, common whitefish (lavaret) and zander (pike-perch). Soak up
the relaxing atmosphere in a secluded bay or in a
rented rowing boat on a tranquil lake. Salmon and
brown trout fishing is a must at the river mouths
by the sea.
Sea, lake or river fishing is a great compliment to
­ älsingland’s many other activities. Make the most
H
of both day and night by combining your daytime
activities with some relaxing evening fishing.
The people of Hälsingland take great care of their
fishing waters. You’ll need a fishing permit, which
is available from the tourist office. Among fishing
enthusiasts the writer and angler Hans Lindman
is well known. Hans lived in Edsbyn and had the
best possible fishing waters on his doorstep. The
wilderness river, Voxnan, whose upper section is still
­unregulated, was his favourite fishing spot.
Snow, snow and even more snow – the ski resorts in Hälsingland also have several good places with
artificial snow, which make the ski-season last even longer.
Cross-country skiing is popular for both exercising and
competition.
A Hälsingland winter
A stunningly beautiful winter landscape.
Breathe in the pure fresh air, get out and about, find
a real adventure!
It’s all here! A snowmobile will take you out on
Europe’s largest system of snowmobile trails, all
the way up to the mountains hundreds of kilometres away if you wish. Hälsingland, Härjedalen and
Dalarna provinces are part of the Nordic Area cooperation, a collaboration to build the largest track
system of 1 000 km of trails for snowmobiles. The
trails are edged by rest areas and cottages for overnight accommodation, food and refreshment services and, of course, snowmobile rentals.
A cold and snowless late autumn is the perfect opportunity for some amazing long-distance skating
The many lakes and streams make
nice ice skate-lanes during the winter.
trips on the extensive lake systems of Hälsingland’s
inland areas or the frozen sea ice along the coastline.
Coastline skating especially is an extremely unusual
and exciting nature experience. Guided tours can be
organised for skaters and when required tracks can
be ploughed at Bergviken and on the sea ice. Other
popular points on the Hälsingland winter agenda
are winter fishing, angling and jigging. Or why not
take a trip out into this spectacular snowy white
landscape by dog sled or horse and sleigh?
Hälsingland is the centre for bandy (field hockey
on ice) with its top league teams Bollnäs, Broberg
and Edsbyn. To see a match in the indoor bandy hall
“Dina Arena” in Edsbyn is an amazing experience!
Horses have always been important in
Hälsingland – even to these days.
The bandy-zone – Here we find elite clubs
in Bollnäs, Edsbyn and Söderhamn.
18 | 19 www.halsingland.se
With its fantastic variety of
activities Hälsingland’s ski resorts
attract skiers from near and far.
Järvsöbacken.
Järvsöbacken is well known for
it’s well prepared ski slopes.
Hassela.
Hassela is a winter
wonderland for the
whole family.
Winter in Hälsingland
A winter wonderland...
With its fantastic variety of activities Hälsingland attracts skiers and snow lovers from near and
far. Good transport connections and its close proximity to built-up areas such as Mälardalen make
Hälsingland an extremely attractive alternative to
the mountain resorts. There’s plenty of space in
the slopes, no long queues at the lifts, happy faces
and friendly people here. Perfect cross-country
tracks wind through the endless forests and over
the fens in a stunningly beautiful winter landscape.
Enjoy the company of others if you wish - there’s
the snug picnic cabin, the Après-ski in the bar or
in relaxing in front of the hotel’s evening fire to
choose from.
Järvsöbacken offers top class skiing! This familyoriented ski resort has accommodation on its doorstep in the form of ski villages, hostels and camping
grounds. Järvsö is a long-established tourist resort
and also offers prime hotel ­accommodation just a
kilometre from the slopes.
Hassela Sport & Konferens has a hotel with excellent ­conference facilities, several restaurants and
cafés. Are you looking for a variety of different winter activities? This hotel even has adventure pools.
Harsa, south of Järvsö, is a nationally renowned
cross-country skiing paradise and snowmobile centre with many elite ski clubs as its customers. Many
small ski resorts around the province are a great
complement the ski sport activities on offer here.
Skålsjögården to the south of Edsbyn has an extensive cross-country ski track system and a large
variety of activities and events all year round. They
cater for tourism, conferences and special occasion
celebrations.
www.halsingland.se 20 | 21
Tourist offices
OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND
EDSBYN & ALFTA TURISM
Ovanåkers kommun
828 80 Edsbyn
Tel 0271–570 00
E-post tourism@ovanaker.se
www.ovanaker.se
Bollnäs Turistbyrås
Stadshustorget
821 80 Bollnäs
Tel 0278–258 80
E-post turism@bollnas.se
www.bollnas.se/turism
nordanstigs turistbyrå/
Bokningscentralen i Hälsingland
Landsvägen 1, 820 76 Jättendal
Tel 0652–161 75
E–post info@bokningscentralen.com
www.bokningscentralen.com
Hudiksvalls Turistbyrå
Storgatan 33, 824 80 Hudiksvall
Tel 0650–191 00 Fax 0650–381 75
E–post turistbyran.hudiksvall@hudiksvall.se
www.hudiksvall.se/turism
turistbyrån i Järvsö
ljusdals kommun
Stationsgatan 2, 820 40 Järvsö
Tel 0651–403 06
E–post turism@ljusdal.se
www.ljusdal.se/turism
Söderhamns Turistbyrå
Resecentrum, 826 40 Söderhamn
Tel 0270–753 53
E–post turism@soderhamn.se
www.soderhamn.se
OPEN JUN-AUG
EDSBYN & ALFTA TURISTBYRÅ
Hälsingegård Ol-Anders
Runemovägen 6
822 92 Alfta
Tel 0271–200 22
E-post tourism@ovanaker.se
www.ovanaker.se
Delsbo Turistbyrå
Delsbo station
Stationsgatan 9, 820 60 Delsbo
Tel 0653–104 40
E–post delsbo.turistbyra@hudiksvall.se
www.hudiksvall.se/turism
DISTANCE FROM STOCKHOLM
BOLLNÄS – 280 km
EDSBYN – 300 km
HASSELA – 370 km
HUDIKSVALL – 310 km
JÄRVSÖ – 320 km
LJUSDAL – 340 km
SÖDERHAMN – 260 km
In the modern version are traces of everything else now constituting the
Hälsingland identity: mystical forests, the flowering flax, ­Hälsingland
farmhouses, Kurbits painting, the ringing sound of folk music… all
found in the blue hues of the rivers, sea and breathtaking mountains.
The Hälsingland goat is neither stuffy nor aggressive. With its hooves
firmly planted in Hälsingland’s natural and cultural history it warmly
welcomes all its visitors!
www.halsingland.se
Hälsingland Turism, Collinigatan 12, 821 43 Bollnäs
info@halsingland.se
©2010. Production: Svart Pist Publishing AB, Ljusdal. Photography: Göran Assner, Fredrik Fransson, Andreas Fransson, Mikael Wessely, Christer Lindberg, Lars Lööv, Janne
Olsson, Anneli Wiklund, Pierre Vernay, Christer Åsentorp, Johan Kock, Bengt Forssén, Veronica Skytt, Per Ångström, Tomas Lothström. Printing house: Lenanders Grafiska.
The Hälsingland goat “Hälsingebocken” has from time immemorial
been associated with our province and is reproduced in many s­ ymbols
found here. Its origins are shrouded in mystery but many see the
­Hälsingland goat as a symbol of freedom, tenacity and courage.