Ljusdal: From adrenaline to cultural heritage in Hälsingland
By Signe Hansen
In Ljusdal municipality, you will find rolling blue mountains, deep forests and wild animals, as well adrenaline-filled activities and small towns with fantastic gastronomic experiences and inspiring culture. This is also the first in Sweden to be certified as a sustainable travel destination.
In the heart of Sweden sits Ljusdal municipality, in the region Hälsingland. Famous for its mysterious blue mountains and deep forests, this is a paradise for outdoors enthusiasts, with activities such as skiing – alpine and cross-country – and ice skating, snowmobile racing, downhill and road cycling, hiking, paddling and fishing, and foraging in the lush forests.
“From adventures in nature and adrenaline-filled activities to genuine cultural heritage and local traditions, you will find something interesting here all year round,” says Blanka Unger, destination developer. “Ljusdal municipality is a great destination with heaps to explore, but also with authenticity and great customer service.”
Farmhouses with World Heritage status
The decorated farmhouses of Hälsingland, called Hälsingegårdar, are UNESCO World Heritage listed and an absolute must. Seven timber houses have been given this status, but in reality there are several hundred, many of which have guided tours and farm shops, and some even offer overnight stays.
Photo: Linda Mårtensson, Ljusdal municipality
Stenegård, for instance, is a grand estate in Järvsö with around fifteen well-preserved buildings. It hosts various cultural activities, including Hälsingland’s wooden theatre, as well as events focused on folk music, handicrafts, and local culinary traditions, but also music festivals with a modern touch. Well-known acts such as Carola, Gustaf & Viktor Norén and Digiloo have performed here, and you will also find a visitor centre for the UNESCO-listed Hälsingegårdar plus the Lill-Babs Museum.
The historic Stenegård also hosts the final stage of Hälsingehambon, a fantastic event in July. “Hälsingehambon is a folk dance competition where participants in folk costumes dance the traditional couple dance hambo through several stages in different villages in Hälsingland over the course of a day,” explains Unger.
But this is also a region where old folk traditions meet new. For instance, Ljusdal has been the host of Artscape, a festival where international and Swedish artists filled the town with large-scale murals, installations and sculptures.
Meet the great big five in nature
Järvsö offers plenty of exciting activities, too. In winter, alpine skiing in Järvsöbacken is a popular choice, featuring a well-known snow park and excellent child-friendly slopes with fun courses designed for young skiers. In summer, the slopes transform into Järvsö Bike Park, with trails for MTB downhill. For those who like cycling but prefer less adrenaline, the well-groomed MTB trails around and in Järvsö are a good choice. These trails are suitable for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an experienced cyclist.
A visit to Vildriket is bound to be a magical and memorable experience for the whole family. Encounter the wild animals of the North on their own terms, in a stunning setting; wolves, lynxes, arctic foxes, and reindeer are just a few of the animals you can meet here. Open every day of the year, Vildriket is perfect for children, families, and anyone with a passion for animals and nature.
“During a visit in Järvsö, also check out Rovdjurscentrum (The Large Carnivore Centre), to learn more about the big five in the Nordics; wolf, bear, wolverine, lynx and humans,” says Unger. “For hiking enthusiasts, a trip to the nature reserve Järvsöklacken is the perfect day adventure. When you reach the top, you get a breathtaking view of Hälsingland’s rolling blue mountains.”
Focus on sustainable tourism development
Sustainable tourism development is important in Ljusdal; in fact, the municipality is the first in Sweden to sign a cooperation development with EarthCheck. A significant milestone was achieved in November 2021, when the municipality’s tourism industry became the first Swedish destination to be sustainability certified by EarthCheck, according to the criteria developed through the UN initiative Global Sustainable Tourism Council, GSTC.
As a visitor, you will see the sustainability focus in for example the food sector. “Several local producers as well as cafés and restaurants have local produce and use sustainable methods,” adds Unger. “We’re proud of our local food, and tours with gastronomy in focus are increasingly popular.”
Web: visitljusdal.se
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