Nipleden

Hiking

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County: Västernorrlands län
475.67 km away from you

Trail details

Length 27.0 km
Difficulty Blue - medium

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Description

The Nipleden trail starts at Sollefteå Camping on Risön in central Sollefteå and leads upstream along the beautiful flow of the Ångerman River up to Edsbron where you cross the river and follow it downstream back to the starting point.

It is the impressive nipas of the river banks that give the trail its name and these are both impressive and very exciting to explore. 20,000 years ago the ice sheet began to melt and 10,000 years ago today's Ångermanland was ice-free. At that time, the area around Nipleden was a sea bay where the meltwater brought with it large amounts of sand and finer material. As land uplift caused the bay to move further and further east, the river "ate" into the old sediment deposits and created the fascinating 50 meter high nipas as they look today. Large parts of the trail follow the nipas and sometimes it is steep and narrow. One of the finer areas to explore along the trail is Granvågsniporna at the mouth of Faxälven. Here are three fantastic nipas, Borgen, Svalnipan and Rödskäggsnipan.

Trail description Nipleden

The entire trail is about 27 km long, but you can choose whether you want to hike the entire route or different stages. You walk mainly along the Ångerman River on the south and north sides. Follow the orange markings. Some parts, especially Högmon, Rödskäggsnipan and Mjälan are steep and narrow. Directly adjacent to Nipleden at Österåsens Hälsohem is an outdoor area with marked trails of 3, 5.5 and 7 km. You can find maps at Medborgarservice, Sollefteå Camping and www.nipleden.se

Stage Sollefteå camping-Forsmo:

Start at the campsite in Sollefteå, then the trail goes in the direction of Kraftverket where you follow a gravel road upstream of the river. After about 1 km, the gravel road turns into a path and straight up the nipa - you are now on the Nipa Trail, which on this stage mostly follows trails. Some Nipas will be passed that are really steep both up and down. Nipleden arrives in Forsmo at the bridge over the river.

Stage Forsmo-Österåsens health center

After the bridge in Forsmo, follow the path that then goes along "Trolldalen", then it becomes about 2.5 km of gravel road. Then follow the power line at Nasafjället, it will be a good climb up. Continue and follow the trail that enters the center of Österåsen's health home

Stage Österåsens Hälsohem-Sollefteå camping:

From Österåsen's health center, the trail goes over the small road bridge at Granvåg, then the trail continues along the Ångerman River. After a while you arrive at Rödskäggsnipan and further towards the road end in Skärvsta. Then you continue along the road (gravel, asphalt) towards the power plant bridge where you pass over the river to get back to the campsite. Here you can take a turn up at the ancient Pettersborg with views of central Sollefteå.

Activities And Facilities

**Granvågsnipornas nature reserve

Granvågsniporna is the name given to the three hills Borgen, Svalnipan and Rödskäggsnipan, which stand like mighty sentinels at the inflow of the Faxälven into the Ångermanälven. From the top of the hill, there is a magnificent view of the river and the surrounding landscape in one of the most beautiful parts of Ådalen. The reserve has easy walking trails, picnic areas, a picnic hut, barbecue area and toilet.

**How the nipas were formed

During the time when the inland ice melted, the ice edge moved further and further into the Ångermanälven valley. Around 9,000 years ago, it was in the Sollefteå area and the valley outside was a sea bay. The meltwater from tunnels under the ice carried stones and gravel and formed a gravel ridge where the ice flowed into the sea. Fine-grained silt was carried further out into the bay. The ice sheet melted quickly. Less than 200 years later, the ice edge lay on the land slope just inside Junsele. The sharp rise in the land meant that the bay became smaller and smaller and the Ice River began to flow out closer and closer to Granvåg, which can be seen in the various layers of soil in the nipas. Eventually a branched estuary was formed when the river flowed into the sea at Granvåg.

**Osteråsens health center

Just west of Sollefteå, with a fantastic view of the Ångermanälven river and the beautiful Ådalen valley, lies Österåsen - a place dating back to the early 1900s. The health center is located in one of Sweden's most beautiful places with the nip landscape of the Ångermanälven at its feet. Österåsen is also known for its collection of Swedish 20th century art. Here you can stay, go to the spa or choose one of the health center's wide range of treatments. There are fitness facilities and easy walking paths.

Mainly forest trails, nipas and short stretches of gravel road.

Obstacles on the trail? If you encounter obstacles on the trail in the form of trees, broken paths or incorrect and unclear signs, we would like you to notify us. Send an email to info@solleftea.se and describe the obstacle and where it is located.

Klättring uppför nipor och vandring nedför förekommer. Främst klättringen upp till Österåsen Hälsohem kan vara fysiskt ansträngande.

Parking is available at Risön, Västra skogen, Österåsens Hälsohem and in Forsmo.

It is easy to find your way to Nipleden. It starts in central Sollefteå at Sollefteå camping and is then well signposted. You can also choose to start at Österåsen Hälsohem, Västra skogen or Forsmo. See on the map where you think is best and most appropriate to start.