When time is short, it's nice to have nature close by😊
Norra Berget, Sundsvall
On the “Northern Mountain” you'll find a charming open-air museum village with cozy little shops selling regional products. There are also a few animals and forest trails perfect for a short walk.
You can either drive up by car or take your time walking to the top. The view is beautiful—you get a great panorama of the entire city center.
I usually bring visitors here when they come for the first time to show them the city “from above.”
During the summer, there's also a lookout tower that’s open to the public, giving an even wider view of the area. In winter, the tower is closed, but they decorate it with lights so that it looks like a glowing candle on the mountain when viewed from the city below.
Grenforsen
These rapids, located a bit south of Sundsvall, are a great place to relax and disconnect from daily life. It feels peaceful and remote, even though it's not far from town.
There are designated spots where you can bring food and firewood to enjoy a meal over a campfire. If you're into fishing, you’ll need a license, which you can purchase online. During the season, there’s a good chance of catching salmon.
Indalsälven
The river Indalsälven surprises you with its diverse and unexpected beauty. Inland, it winds through green hills; further downstream, it's surrounded by dense forests. Where it meets the Baltic Sea, it forms a vast delta with stunning sandy beaches.
Of course, this is still northern Sweden, so it's not exactly tropical—but on a warm summer day, it’s a wonderful place to take a walk on the beach and unwind.
Spikarna
An old fishing village on an island near Alnö. No matter the season, it feels like time stands still here. There are small houses, a charming harbor, and a rocky coastline.
In winter, the harbor usually freezes over, though parts of the coastline remain ice-free. It's a great spot to enjoy a peaceful sunset.
Stornäset
Also located on Alnö, this bird reserve is a national park and a paradise for birdwatchers. But even if you're not into birds, it's still a lovely, peaceful place to visit.
Most of the surrounding landscape is quite hilly—at least for someone like me, from northern Germany—but this area is flat, just like my home region. When birds aren't nesting, I've even seen people kite-surfing or wind-kiting here.
Have fun discovering these beautiful spots for yourself—maybe they’ll become your smultronställen too. 😊
