Scenic drive in Sundsvall

Indalsleden

This 420-kilometer route along Indalsälven river includes calm paddling waters, forest trails near Byforsen waterfall, and an unexpected Thai Pavilion amid pine forests and glacial valleys.

National Roads 86 and 87, known as Indalsleden, follow the Indalsälven river for 420 kilometers from coastal Timrå to Östersund. Along this route, you can paddle through calm waters, walk forest trails near Byforsen waterfall, and visit unexpected sights like a Thai Pavilion. The road winds through pine forests and past lakes, following the dramatic river valley shaped by ancient glaciers.

Route Location and Access

National Roads 86 and 87 form Indalsleden, starting at Timrå and following the Indalsälven river valley. The route continues through eastern Sweden and connects to Trondheim, Norway. In Timrå's delta area, you'll find the Y:et sculpture - a 30.5-meter red steel construction by artist Bengt Lindström from 1995, marking the entrance to Sundsvall-Timrå Airport.

River Paddling Routes

You can paddle the Indalsälven river from May through September. For a day trip, start below Järkvissle power station and paddle 15 kilometers through Klubbänget and past Sillre power station to Liden. The longer 40-kilometer route from Långliden takes you through Boda såg, Järkvissle, and Nilsböle, ending at Kävstabron in Indal. You'll find rest stops every 5-10 kilometers and can rent equipment at stations in Liden and Järkvissle.

Rock Formations and Natural History

In the Ragunda area, you can see rock formations dating back millions of years, including glacial deposits and river-carved valleys with visible sedimentary layers. At Döda Fallet, you can walk through a dry riverbed created in 1796 when Ragundasjön lake drained in just four hours, forcing the river to create a new course.

Historical Sites and Nature Trails

The golden Thai Pavilion in Bispgården marks King Chulalongkorn's visit in 1897. At Älgårdsberget, three marked trails lead to different destinations: Järåstigen (2.5 km) takes you to Byforsen waterfall and meadows with views of Indalsälven, Geologistigen (1.8 km) passes through terrain shaped by glaciers and rivers, and Blomstigen (1 km) circles the old school grounds where you can identify labeled native trees.

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