High Coast Trail hiking guide: route map, stages & where to stay

The High Coast Trail (Höga Kustenleden) is a waymarked long-distance trail on the coast of Västernorrland in northern Sweden. It runs about 130 km from Hornöberget, at the north end of the High Coast Bridge over the Ångermanälven, to the centre of Örnsköldsvik, through the whole of the High Coast (Höga Kusten) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here the land is still rising after the last ice age, and the trail climbs again and again from the sea over steep granite hills, with views over bays, islands and the Gulf of Bothnia. It is one of Sweden's Signature Trails. Most hikers walk it from south to north in seven to nine days, sleeping in free trail huts and wind shelters, small hostels, B&Bs and campsites.

The route

The trail starts at Hotell Höga Kusten, passes under the bridge and follows the old coast road to Nyadal, then crosses Svartnorasundet and the first hills to the village of Lövvik. A short detour climbs Valkallen, one of the best viewpoints on the trail. From there it follows Grönsviksfjärden past the red granite of Rödhällorna to the old summer farm at Fjärdbotten, crosses Lidenipan and reaches Gavik. An easy section on gravel roads leads to Lappudden on Vågsfjärden, a lake that was a sea bay 150 years ago. After Nordingrå the trail crosses forest and hills to Ullånger, climbs to the summer farm at Mäjasjön and follows the old coast road to Skoved and Docksta.

Next comes Skuleberget. The trail climbs to the 295 m summit, where traces of the highest known post-glacial coastline in the world lie at 286 m, and goes down to Naturum Höga Kusten. It then crosses Getsvedjeberget to Skuleskogen National Park, an old coastal forest with the Slåttdalsskrevan crevice, 40 m deep. After Entré Nord a gravel road leads to Näske and the old industrial village of Köpmanholmen. The last part crosses Balesudden Nature Reserve, the village of Bäck and the Vitsjö hills to Svedjeholmen, then goes over the Moälven and Varvsberget to the harbour of Örnsköldsvik.

This guide follows the line mapped on OpenStreetMap and splits it into 13 stages, about 10.5 km each: the 13 sections of the official High Coast Trail guidebook. The tourist board's newer maps group them into seven or nine longer sections. The highest point is the top of Skuleberget. In total the trail climbs about 3,000 m, almost all of it in short, steep ascents.

Highlights

• High Coast Bridge: the 1,867 m suspension bridge at the start
• Valkallen: a 240 m summit with views to the bridge and the sea
• Rödhällorna: smooth slabs of red Nordingrå granite on the shore
• Fjärdbotten and Mäjasjön: old summer farms with timber huts
• Skuleberget: the summit, the highest coastline and the naturum visitor centre
• Skuleskogen National Park: Slåttdalsskrevan, old forest, lakes and quiet bays
• Balesudden: a rocky headland and the very clear Balestjärnen tarn

When to go

The main season is late May to late September. June and July have long, light evenings and the most open cafés, restaurants and shops, but also the most hikers. August and September are quieter, with berries and the first autumn colours. Many cafés, restaurants and campsites open only in summer, so check before you rely on them. In autumn, moose hunting takes place in the forests: wear bright clothes. From November to April snow and ice cover the steep rock slabs and days are short, and the trail is only for experienced winter hikers. In Skuleskogen special camping and fire rules apply from 1 May to 30 September.

How many days do you need?

The 13 stages range from about 6 to 15 km, but the official walking times are long for the distance because of the steep climbs, roots and boulder fields. Most hikers combine short stages and walk the whole trail in seven to nine days, for example 15 to 25 km a day. Fit hikers can finish in five or six days. Because bus 50 runs along the E4 near Hornöberget, Ullånger, Docksta and Skuleskogen, it is also easy to walk only part of the trail; the stretch from Skuleberget through Skuleskogen to Köpmanholmen is the most popular.

Permits, booking and accommodation

No permit or fee is needed to walk the trail. The trail huts and wind shelters are free, open all year and cannot be booked, and you must share them with other hikers, so carry a tent unless you have booked a bed every night. Under the right of public access (allemansrätten) you may pitch a tent for a night or two almost anywhere, out of sight of houses. In Skuleskogen National Park you may only camp at marked tent sites, for up to three nights. Hostels, B&Bs, cabins and campsites are found in Lövvik, Gavik, Lappudden, Ullånger, Skoved, Docksta, Köpmanholmen, Svedjeholmen and Örnsköldsvik; book them ahead for June to August, as most have only a few rooms.

Getting there and away

Hornöberget is on the E4 between Härnösand and Kramfors. Bus 50 (Härnösand – Örnsköldsvik) stops at Hornöberget, Ullånger, Docksta and the Skuleskogen entrances, Y-buss line 100 also stops at Hornöberget, Ullånger and Docksta, and bus 421 links Köpmanholmen with Örnsköldsvik. Timetables are on dintur.se. Örnsköldsvik has trains on the Botnia Line and an airport, and Kramfors has Höga Kusten Airport. You can park at the Hornöberget hotel (first 24 hours free, then SEK 100 a night) and in Ullånger behind the OKQ8 petrol station.

Money and phone signal

Sweden uses the Swedish krona (SEK). Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, even at small cafés; some places take no cash at all. Mobile signal is generally good, but there are dead spots in deep valleys and on some hilltops. Telia has the best coverage in the area.

What to pack

Bring good hiking boots with grip for wet rock, waterproofs and warm layers even in summer, and a tent, sleeping bag and mat if you plan to use the huts. Carry a stove and fuel: you can buy gas canisters at Hotell Höga Kusten and in Örnsköldsvik and Härnösand. Springs and streams are not tested, so boil or filter water. Shops are few: buy food in Nordingrå, Ullånger, Docksta and Köpmanholmen. Insect repellent, a first-aid and blister kit and the Höga Kusten app or a map complete the list.

Difficulty and safety

The High Coast Trail is moderate to hard. There are no technical sections, but many steep climbs and descents on rock slabs, roots and boulder fields, which are slippery when wet. The trail is waymarked with orange paint on trees and posts and signposted at junctions. Do not walk through Slåttdalsskrevan: the trail passes west of it. Use only the fireplaces at huts and shelters, and never light a fire during a fire ban. Keep dogs on a lead from 1 March to 20 August and at all times in Skuleskogen. Check yourself for ticks each evening. In an emergency call 112; for medical advice call 1177. The nearest emergency departments are in Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall.