Dorotea: Nature, Trails and Culture

The municipality of Dorotea offers good opportunities for hiking, cycling and paddling. Other local destinations include Borgafjäll, Dorotea and Risbäck.

Trails and landscapes

Borgahällan is described as a landmark of the Borgafjäll massif. An easy, illuminated circular route runs for approximately 3.3 kilometres around Bergvattensjön, centrally located in Dorotea. Along the Sjöslingan trail, you will find a rich birdlife, several places for swimming and rest areas.

The Kyrkstigen trail was formerly used by the residents of Avaträsk to reach the church in Dorotea. The trail to Toppstugan i Lajksjö leads from the clubhouse in Lajksjö up Hemberget; in clear weather, the view extends across Lajksjön to the mountains on the horizon.

Nature

In western Dorotea, the landscapes transition into low mountains and extensive wetlands, which are considered a paradise for birdwatchers. Blaikfjället is home to one of the largest wetland areas in the country. It also has a rich birdlife and many cloudberries in autumn.

Blaikfjället can be reached from Dorotea via Road 1052 towards Borgafjäll; from there, hiking trails lead into the nature reserve. Gitsfjällets naturreservat has a hiking trail, a snowmobile trail, and a shelter for resting and overnight stays. It is a Natura 2000 nature reserve that extends across the municipalities of Dorotea and Vilhelmina.

The Rapksvuome area in Gitsfjällets naturreservat features a mosaic landscape of wetlands, moraine hills covered with birch trees and ridges, and is an important breeding area for waders.

Winter and cycling

The municipality of Dorotea has many kilometres of cross-country ski trails, as well as several facilities with ski trails and illuminated trails. Avasaxa is the ski slope in the centre of Dorotea and has a lift and a descent with a vertical drop of 90 metres.

Mörttjärnsrundan is an easy, 11.5-kilometre circular cycling route in Dorotea. It consists of approximately equal parts gravel road and paved road. The different route lengths, surfaces and elevation figures provide a concrete basis for comparing activities by scope and character.

Water and fishing

The municipality of Dorotea has fishing waters ranging from forests to clear mountain streams and lakes. Commonly mentioned sport fish include perch, pike, trout, Arctic char and grayling.

Björnlandsleden begins immediately west of the town of Dorotea and is approximately 50 kilometres long in total. It includes some portages and easy rapids and is suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers. Along Björnlandsleden, there are rest areas, suitable tent sites for overnight stays, and opportunities for swimming and fishing.

In Bergvattensjön, centrally located in Dorotea, fishing permits can be purchased by mobile phone or online.

Culture and history

Konstvägen Sju Älvar is a 350-kilometre-long art exhibition along a route from Holmsund on the coast in the east to Borgafjäll in the South Lapland mountains in the west. Four of the 13 artworks along this route are located in Dorotea.

The present Dorotea kyrka was inaugurated in December 1934, after the previous church burned down to its foundations in August 1932. Risbäcks kyrka was built in 1858–1859 by twelve farmers from the municipality.

Husvagnsmuseet displays timeless caravan curiosities and the third Polar caravan ever built. It is located opposite the Polar factory in Dorotea and is open in summer.

The municipality of Dorotea provides tourist information by telephone and email. Brochures and information about the destinations Dorotea, Borgafjäll and the nearby areas are available in local shops and restaurants.

The local history area of Kullerbacken features older buildings such as a bakehouse, a loggers' hut, a Sami hut and a njalla storage house.

To the main travel overview: Västerbotten.

More destinations

More places at the same destination:

Bjurholm, Lycksele, Åsele, Nordmaling, Malå.