High Coast


The High Coast is a part of the coast of Sweden on the Gulf of Bothnia, in the Ångermanland province of northeast Sweden, centered in the area of the municipalities of Kramfors, Härnösand, and Örnsköldsvik. It is notable as an area for research on post-glacial rebound and eustacy, in which the land rises as the covering glaciers melt, a phenomenon first recognised and studied there. Since the last ice age, the land has risen 300 meters, which accounts for the region's unusually tall cliffs. The High Coast is part of the Swedish/Finnish High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site.

History

The area known today as Höga Kusten has historically been known as the Ångermanland Coast.
In 1974, the term High Coast was coined in connection with a report on the area.
In 2000, UNESCO put the area on the World Heritage List:
"The High Coast site affords outstanding opportunities for the understanding of the important processes that formed the glaciated and land uplift areas of the Earth's surface."

In 2006, the High Coast was joined with the Finnish Kvarken areas.

Geography

The relief of the High Coast is that of a large scale joint valley terrain that dissects uplifted remnants of the Sub-Cambrian peneplain.

Attractions

The most popular places to visit in the High Coast of Sweden are Skule Mountain, Skuleskogen National Park, and the islands Ulvön and Trysunda.
The High Coast of Sweden is considered to be excellent for hiking and has been cited as one of the best hiking regions in Sweden.
Both outdoor magazines and daily newspapers rank the High Coast Trail as one of the best of Sweden's hiking trails.
The Höga Kustenleden is a 128-kilometer long trail along the High Coast. For day hikes, Skule Mountain and Skule National park are popular. The High Coast Hike is an annual event considered suitable for both experienced and new hikers.