Visiting Hälsingland Farms - 7 Unesco World Heritage Farms

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated May 2026 | Do you want to visit the Hälsinge Farms in Hälsingland? Then it's important to know one thing right away: Some have general opening hours, while others are privately owned, have limited opening hours or require a guided tour.

We have travelled around Hälsingland and actually visited all seven Hälsingland farms on the UNESCO World Heritage List - something not many people have done. Here we share exactly how to plan your visit, what's worth seeing and what not to miss.

Quick guide: Visiting Hälsingegårdarna

• Number of farms: Around 1000, 7 of which are Unesco heritage sites
• Location: Hälsingland
• Can you visit them all? All 7 of the World Heritage farms can be visited, but it varies in ease/difficulty. Opening hours may be limited and some farms are privately owned, with no public opening hours.
• Is booking required? Some farms can be visited without booking - but most require advance booking.
• Time: 3-4 days recommended
• Best base: Järvsö or Bollnäs. You can also start at any of the four visitor centres.

Hälsingegårdar - what is it?

Hälsingegårdar are large historic farms in Hälsingland, sometimes described as ”the proud wooden castles of Hälsingland”. There was no nobility in Hälsingland, but there were farmers who were well-off thanks to agriculture, forestry and flax farming. These peasants invested their money in building so-called ”party houses”, which were used for weddings and other major events.

There are around 1,000 Hälsingland farms in total. Today, these farms are considered to be of such great cultural and historical value that seven of them have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in the form of the ”Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland” World Heritage Site.

All 7 Hälsingland farms included in the Unesco heritage

Here are all the Hälsingland farms selected to represent the World Heritage Site, along with what you need to know before your visit.

• Erik-Anders, Söderala (Söderhamn)
• Guest donors, Vallsta (Bollnäs)
• Kristofers, Järvsö (Ljusdal)
• Bommars, Letsbo (Ljusdal)
• Beyond the river, Loos (Ljusdal)
• Pallars, Alfta (Ovanåker)
• Jon-Lars, Alfta (Ovanåker)

1. Erik-Anders

Erik-Anders is a farm located in Söderala, in Municipality of Söderhamn. This farm is open for much of the summer, and also serves as a visitor centre for the World Heritage Site.

History of the farm: The farm is named after Erik Andersson who built the farm in the 1820s. Today the farm is privately run by the Forssell family.

Extra worth seeing: The Great Banqueting Hall is considered one of the most beautiful rooms in Hälsingland. It has an unusually lavish interior with marbling by the Knutes family of painters.

How to visit? The farm is open to the public in summer. On your own, or with a guide. There is also a café, shop and garden.

• Website: erik-anders.se
• Address: Asta 728, Söderala (Söderhamn)

2. guest donors

Gästgivars in Vallsta is also open to visitors in the summer. Here too, guided tours are arranged and there is a restaurant, shop and visitor centre.

History of the farm: The name of the farm comes from the fact that an inn was run here in the 17th and 18th centuries. The banqueting house was built in 1838.

Extra worth seeing: Fantastic stencils and one of Sweden's most beloved wallpaper patterns: Gästgivarstapeten.

How to visit? General opening hours in high season, with guided tours. There is also a café and a cosy shop.

• Address: Gamla Orbadenvägen 29, Vallsta
• Website: varldsarvetgastgivars.se

3. Kristofers

Kristofers is a fantastic Hälsingland farm located in Järvsö. The farm is privately owned and is the only one of the seven that is still farmed today. No public tours are organised here, although it is possible to book visits by appointment.

History of the farm: The old building was built in 1807, making it Hälsingland's oldest two-storey farmhouse.

Extra worth seeing: Large paintings in the Manor House, with exotic motifs such as swaying palm trees. There is also a painting of the ”All-Seeing Eye of God”, which can peer down on the revellers.

How to visit? No public tours are given. If you want to see the farm, you can book a private tour through the owners, for a fee.

• Address:Kalvstigen 6, Järvsö
• Website: kristofers.se

4. bommars

Hälsingegården Bommars is located in Letsbo, just outside the centre of Ljusdal. This beautiful farm is also privately owned, but it is possible to contact the owner and book a viewing. Expect both coffee and fantastic wallpaper!

History of the farm: The whole farm burned down in 1845, and the building that stands here today dates from 1846.

Extra worth seeing: Beautiful manor-inspired wallpapers, a copy of a French wallpaper also found at the Ekebyhof manor in Stockholm, marbling paintings and a room wallpapered with newsprint, which was considered exclusive at the time.

How to visit? The visit must be booked directly through the owner Karl-Erik, who can show the farm for a fee. A knowledgeable guide who has a lot to tell!

• Address: Letsbo Brovägen 8, Tallåsen
• Website: bommars.se

5. Beyond the river

Bortom Åa is the name of the old farm in Fågelsjö, on the border between Hälsingland, Härjedalen and Dalarna. This farm is open to the public in the summer, so it is one of the easier ones to visit.

History of the farm: It has been owned by a single family for seven generations. The couple Mårten and Kristina lived in Gammelgården until 1910, when they moved to the newly built ”Amerikahuset” - inspired by a picture on a postcard from relatives in America.

Extra worth seeing: When the family moved into the new house, they left the old farmhouse, furnishings and all, making this one of Sweden's best-preserved 19th-century farmhouses. The farm also contains the ”seven-locked armoury” - a food storage room with seven locks.

How to visit? The farm is open to the public in summer. There is also a café, a small museum and overnight parking for motorhomes.

• Address: Fågelsjö Gammelgård Beyond Åa, Loos
• Website: www.fagelsjo.nu

6. pallars

Pallars in Långhed is one of two Unesco farms in the small town of Alfta, in Ovanåker municipality. Together with the other farm - Jon-Lars - they have agreed on tour times so that you can see both farms on the same day.

History of the farm: The farm, which is privately owned, has been in the same family since the 17th century.

Extra worth seeing: Special paintings made by the so-called ”Blue Painter”, who used a precious navy blue pigment. There are also unique paintings from different places in Sweden - sometimes very imaginative.

How to visit? Guided tours are publicised via the municipality's website. You cannot visit during other times.

• Address: Långhed 739, Alfta
• Website: No specific website available. See the Ovanåker municipality website.

7. Jon-Lars

The other farm in Alfta, Jon-Lars, is a very large farm with two identical halves, designed for two brothers and their families. There are both modern parts, where the current owners live, and well-preserved parts with furnishings and paintings from the past.

History of the farm: The house was built in 1853 for the two brothers. The house is by far the largest building among Hälsingland farms.

Extra worth seeing: The farm is built in two halves - in two different styles - with a common manor house for parties.

How to visit? Guided tours, as announced by the municipality. You cannot visit during other times.

• Address: Långhed 206, Alfta
• Website: No specific website available. See the Ovanåker municipality website.

How to visit Hälsingegårdarna - important to know

• All farms are not open daily
• Several are privately owned
• Many people demand guided tours
• Opening hours vary widely
• You often need plan in advance

A film from Hälsingegårdarna

Peter filmed our visit to the seven Hälsingland farms inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and you can watch the film here:

4 visitor centres

A good starting point for visiting Hälsingland farms is to go to one of the four visitor centres. At the visitor centres you will find information, brochures, staff to talk to and much more.

Erik-Anders in Söderhamn

Hälsingegården Erik-Ander in Söderhamn, which is one of the World Heritage Farms, also serves as a visitor centre. Here you'll find brochures, a shop and café and, yes, one of the World Heritage Farms!

Guest hosts in Vallsta

Gästgivars in Vallsta also functions as both a World Heritage Site and a visitor centre. Here you will find information, brochures, shop, exhibitions and much more.

Stone farm in Järvsö

Stenegård is a visitor centre for the world heritage farms, conveniently located in the middle of popular Järvsö. Here you will find information about the different farms and some exhibitions. At the same time, you can take the opportunity to discover beautiful Stenegård!

Ol-Anders in Alfta

The fourth and final visitor centre for the World Heritage Farms is Ol-Anders in Alfta, which is very close to Pallars and Jon-Lars. Here you will find, besides information about the World Heritage Farms, also a very interesting emigrant museum.

This museum tells the story of the people of Hälsingland who emigrated to America early on, for religious reasons. Nearby, you can also check out the Ol-Anders farm, which is beautifully decorated.

The road of the Great Health Farms

Another way to visit Hälsingland farms is to travel along the Stora Hälsingegårdars väg. This tourist route winds past a long line of large and splendid Hälsingland farms.

Please note that the route does not take you to the farms on the UNESCO list. Instead, you will see many other fine Hälsingland farms. The road, which is 28 kilometres long, passes:

• Hälsingegård Ol-Anders
• Alfta church village and community
• Hälsingegård Onion
• Näsbyn and Långhed
• Vängsbo Linskäkt
• Kneading
• Red Mountain
• Ullungsfors
• Hälsingegård Mårtes

Visiting Hälsingland farms - more farms and activities

There are many ways to visit Hälsingland farms. In addition to guided tours of the world heritage farms, visitor centres and the Great Hälsingland Farm Trail, here are a few more tips. You can also read more and get up-to-date information at Destination Hälsingland's website.

Open health farms

Open Hälsingland farms are farms that from time to time, mainly in summer, are open to visitors and offer various activities. Here are examples:

• Bjuråkers Forngård, Hudiksvall
• Delsbo Forngård, Hudiksvall
• Frägsta Hälsingegård, Näsviken, Hudiksvall
• Stone farm in Järvsö, Ljusdal
• Träslottet, Bollnäs
• Ystegårn Café and Bistro, Hudiksvall

Stay at Hälsingegård

Some farms offer the possibility of staying on a Hälsingland farm, among others:

• Erik-Jons, Edsbyn-Alfta
• Frägsta Hälsingegård, Näsviken, Hudiksvall
• Köpmangården Pallars, Älvkarhed, Edsbyn-Alfta
• Mårtens, Edsbyn-Alfta
• Per-Anders, "Lammkatedralen", Långhed, Edsbyn-Alfta
• Träslottet, Bollnäs

Events at Hälsingegård

Some Hälsingland farms organise various events, mainly in summer. Here are some examples:

• Fäbod Week
• Hälsingehambon
• Midsummer celebrations
• Summer stage at Ystegårn, with various artists

READ MORE: Things to do in Hälsingland - 63 attractions and experiences