It’s a beautiful part of the world and it’s where I’ve spent all my childhood summers. The High Coast (Höga Kusten) has got its name from its unusually, for the region, high cliffs along the coast that have been created from post-glacial rebound. This has obviously happened over millions of years but it still continues to move. The area is a World Heritage Site and is situated between the cities of Härnösand and Örnsköldsvik on the northeast coast of Sweden.
This summer, as it was so hot, we didn’t get around much but managed one slightly longer walk on one of the days – from Stubbsand to Skags udde, which is north of Örnsköldsvik so not quite within the ‘High Coast’ region, but equally nice. The walk is an old walk called ‘Lotsstigen’ because of the people (‘lotsarna’) who used to walk it way back when – the men who walked from the lighthouse at Skags udde to the harbour in Örnsköldsvik to get work, guiding the ships coming in to the region.
It was over 30 degrees when we did our walk (my sister called it an ‘insanity walk’ as we headed out) but it was actually not too bad as we got some well-needed shade during the parts of the walk that’s in the forest. And the bits out of the forest were mainly facing the sea, on hilltops, so had a nice breeze.
We followed the red signs that set out the route and took us through various forests, across beaches, past summer houses and down country lanes. The best spot to stop for a break on the way is a dedicated area on some rocks, overlooking the sea, where a table with benches has been set up. You can borrow binoculars from a box under the table (and sign a guest book!) and there’s a place to barbecue (although there’s a barbecue ban on in Sweden this summer because of the heat and dry grounds).
At the end of the walk you get to the old fishing village of Skeppsmalen where we bought some local, smoked fish from a little place where you help yourself to some fish and leave money. And we also had a well-deserved swim in the sea by the lighthouse of Skags udde.
Such a lovely day in such glorious nature. Already missing it and can’t wait for next time.