Holmsund: Swimming, Ski Trails and Sawmill History

Water Experiences and Active Trails

Lövöudden is an easily accessible headland at a small-boat harbour at the end of Kroklandet and a strategic destination for public access to the sea and maritime experiences. The Obbola Bridge, inaugurated in 1989, is 1,381 metres long and connects Holmsund, Holmen and Obbola. The two waterside destinations are clearly distinct: Lövöudden is located at the small-boat harbour, while Lövösundet is an inland swimming area. Lövösundet has changing rooms and a dry toilet. The swimming area includes a lawn and a barbecue area; a small playground is located directly beside it. This means that the inland swimming area offers both the facilities mentioned above and areas for staying as well as a playground. Holmsund also has the Bränte outdoor recreation area, with a lit training trail, a nature trail and a sledding hill. The three components belong to the outdoor recreation area and differ from the harbour and inland swimming area contexts of the two waterside destinations.

Bränte is located near Storsjöhallen in Holmsund. Storsjöhallen is at Solbackavägen 18 and can be reached by bicycle, bus and car. The address and the means of transport mentioned refer to Storsjöhallen; Bränte is located by its proximity to the hall. Bränte and the hall are therefore described as places close to one another in the same part of Holmsund.

Holmsund also has lit ski trails. One of the loops is 3.3 kilometres long. The 3.3 kilometres refers to a single loop; no total length for the lit trails is given. The trails therefore constitute a separate offering alongside the Bränte outdoor recreation area and its sledding hill.

A Local History That Begins at the Sawmill

Holmsund's development into an industrial community took place in the second half of the 19th century. During this period, two competing sawmills were established there. An early step came in 1848: the Baggböle sawmill established a loading site that bore the name Holmsund. In 1857, the Sandvik steam sawmill was built. Holmsund Church was consecrated in 1863. James Dickson & Co. financed its construction next to their sawmill. The local history thus links a named loading site, two sawmill operations and the construction of a church as distinct historical reference points in Holmsund's development.

Västerbacken and the Sawmill Museum

Västerbacken is a distinctive cultural-historical setting shaped by Holmsund's early industrial era. The Västerbacken Sawmill Museum is located in one of Västerbacken's old workers' houses. The exhibition presents the living, working and leisure conditions of sawmill workers as well as the development of the sawmill industry. The exhibition content thereby connects the everyday lives of the employees with the history of the businesses while remaining rooted in the historic setting of the old workers' house.

If you are assessing Holmsund as a destination and would also like to compare other places in the same broader destination area, you can consider Tavelsjö, Umeå and Sävar.

To the broader travel overview: Umeå.