Best attractions and places to see around Ovanåker, a municipality in Gävleborg County, Sweden, offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Located in east-central Sweden, the region is characterized by deep forests, lakes, and rivers, providing opportunities for outdoor activities. Ovanåker is also home to several historical sites and museums, showcasing local history and traditions. These landmarks and natural features Ovanåker provide diverse experiences for visitors.
Last updated: May 5, 2026
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A small lakeside bathing spot (badplats) with easy access to the water.
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Superb little cabin for spending the night 4 beds, table and bench for eating, and a small fireplace
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Stora Glittern is a lake in Ovanåker municipality in Hälsingland and is part of the Dalälven's main catchment area. The lake is 11.8 meters deep, has an area of 1.27 square kilometers and is 321.2 meters above sea level. The lake is drained by the watercourse Glitterån.
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This beautiful road runs across Hammen lake and allows to enjoy beautiful views of the nature all around you.
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Voxnabruk Herrgård, built in 1790, housed Dr. Skora's Wax Cabinet from 1972 to 1983 before the collection moved to Huskvarna. After a bankruptcy in 1996, the estate changed hands, and in 2020, select wax figures returned for display, reviving part of its historical charm.
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A historic rest area with sleeping accommodations for approximately four people. Benches, a barbecue hut, and a restroom are available. The road is closed at night. The stove in the shelter cannot be used because the chimney is blocked.
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Great place for a stop and swim. Also there’s toilets here, unfortunately not any drinkable water for bottle refill as I hoped for 😅
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Ovanåker is rich in history and culture. You can visit the Voxnabruk Herrgård history museum, a historic manor built in 1790 that once housed Dr. Skora's Wax Cabinet. The region is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Hälsingegårdar (Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland), such as Ol-Anders in Alfta, showcasing unique architectural traditions. Additionally, explore the Edsbyns Museum, which features local history and works by naive artist Lim-Johan, or the Finnskogsmuseet, detailing the history of the Finn Forests.
Yes, Ovanåker offers several unique museum experiences. You can visit the Jim Reeves Museum in Voxna, dedicated to the artist. The Edsbyns Museum focuses on local history and displays works by the prominent Swedish naive artist Lim-Johan. In Alfta, the Bobo and Gnuttarnas Museum is dedicated to the characters by cartoonist Lars Mortimer, while the ÖSA Museum chronicles the development of a world-leading forestry machine company.
Ovanåker boasts deep forests, glittering lakes, and rivers. You can visit Stora Glittern, a significant lake in the Dalälven's main catchment area, or enjoy the scenic Road across Lake Hammen. The Voxnan River is excellent for canoeing. For unique experiences, consider a bear safari in Edsbyn or try gold panning. The Våsbo Fäbodar offers a well-preserved summer farm experience with pleasant hiking trails.
Absolutely! Families can enjoy a swim at Galvsjön Beach, which offers easy access to the water and toilets. The Hälsingegård Ol-Anders in Alfta has creative spaces for children. The Bobo and Gnuttarnas Museum in Alfta is dedicated to popular cartoon characters. In winter, Gårdtjärnsberget is an alpine family resort with ski runs and cross-country trails. The Historic Cabin Rest Area is also family-friendly, offering sleeping accommodations and a barbecue hut.
Ovanåker offers a variety of hiking trails. You can explore the area around Våsbo Fäbodar with its pleasant hiking trails. For more options, check out the Hiking around Ovanåker guide, which includes routes like the 'Secluded Lake loop from Stora Bollebergets NR' (easy) and the 'Lilla Bolleberget loop from Bollebergsområdet' (easy).
Ovanåker provides excellent cycling opportunities, especially for mountain biking. You can explore culturally historic sites and the wild nature of Finnskogen with guided cycling tours. For specific routes, refer to the MTB Trails around Ovanåker guide, featuring routes like the 'Svabensverk and Glittern Lakes Loop' and the 'Abandoned Railway loop from Ovanåker'.
Yes, Ovanåker offers cultural trails in both Edsbyn and Alfta. The Edsbyn cultural trail is a 2.2 km walk along the Voxnan river, featuring historical sites with informative signs. The Alfta cultural trail is approximately 3 km long with 45 signs providing local historical context.
During winter, Gårdtjärnsberget is an alpine family resort offering four ski runs of varying difficulty, two ski lifts, and groomed cross-country ski trails. You can also enjoy winter fishing there.
Visitors particularly appreciate the blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. For instance, the Historic Cabin Rest Area is praised as a superb little cabin for spending the night, offering sleeping accommodations, a table, benches, and a barbecue hut. Galvsjön Beach is noted as a great place for a stop and a swim, with available toilets.
Yes, Ovanåker has several options for swimming. Galvsjön Beach is a small lakeside bathing spot with easy access to the water. There is also a small swimming area at Stora Glittern. Additionally, public indoor pools are available at Alfta sim- & sporthall and Edsbyns sim- & sporthall.
Yes, Ovanåker Municipality has several valuable natural and cultural environments. It includes eleven Natura 2000 areas and four nature reserves, established to preserve biodiversity and provide recreational opportunities for visitors.
You can visit the Emigrantmuseum in Alfta, which features an exhibition detailing the first organized mass emigration from Sweden to North America in 1846, when a large group from Alfta emigrated to Bishop Hill.


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