Örnsköldsvik, often shortened to just Övik, is a charming locality in Västernorrland County, Sweden. Known for its natural harbour and archipelago in the Gulf of Bothnia, it's a place where nature and industry coexist. The city is renowned as an exporter of pulp and paper products and heavy machinery goods, but also for its strong environmental record. It's a place where you can feel the pulse of industry, yet also find tranquillity in the surrounding nature. The city's history is rich, with traces of human activity dating back to the Nordic Bronze Age.

Höga Kusten

Hiking the High Coast was a significant change of pace from my other County visits, or from my 2018 12 Cities tour, instead of visiting a city or a couple of towns for the weekend, I packed my camping gear and decided to hike a section of the famous Höga Kusten, the High Coast Trail. The idea was to get to the north end of the High Coast, the town of Örnsköldsvik via the Night Train arriving at 5 am Thursday and by the time Sunday rolled around to be within striking distance of the High Coast Airport to fly back to Gothenburg.

While there are numerous places to stop for food, supplies and water along the high trail, there is no guarantee they will match up to where I am at any given time, leading me to plenty of water and enough food and energy bars for the whole journey, as well as a tent, sleeping bag and my camera and a GoPro.