Lycksele on the Ume River – Culture, Nature and Trails

The Ume River flows directly through Lycksele and plays a central role in the townscape. The local area includes the places Vormsele, Örträsk and Lycksele. Lycksele Airport is located about 5 kilometres from the centre of Lycksele.

Culture and History

For several centuries, Gammplatsen was an important meeting and trading place. In the past, the site served, among other things, as a gathering place for Sámi people, settlers and traders; markets, court days and church festival weeks were held there several times a year.

The Skogs- och samemuseet presents exhibitions about the forest and Sámi culture. The cultural botanical garden Kulturbotan preserves old cultivated plants arranged according to inspiration from Sámi culture and settler culture. The church at Gammplatsen is a copy of Lycksele’s second church from 1736.

Brudstugan is a church cottage dating from 1760 and was returned to Gammplatsen in the mid-1990s. The Sameviste next to Samegården comprises a Sámi forest goahti, a South Sámi peat goahti and three storage huts: a Buerie on one post, a Luovve on four posts and a Härbre.

The Kägelbanan at Gammplatsen dates from the late 19th century; at that time, only around twenty similar buildings were constructed in Sweden. Margaretakyrkan is mainly used for weddings, christenings and other celebrations. The Samegården building, also known as Mamsell Lovisas skola, is now used by Lycksele’s Sámi association. Karlbergsgården at Gammplatsen is a Parstuga house typical of Västerbotten, dating from 1850, and was moved there in 1982. In summer, the Diversehandel at Gammplatsen mainly sells caramel and sweets.

Nature and Water

The Gammplatsen nature reserve is located near Lycksele on the Ume River, about 1 kilometre from the centre of Lycksele. The area includes a forest trail and pine trees that are 400 to 500 years old; almost 500 different insect species have also been recorded there. There is a large car park at the Gammplatsen recreation area.

In Lycksele Municipality, paddling opportunities range from multi-day tours on long, continuous waterways to short day trips through varied lake systems. Fishing is possible in both running and still waters, including salmon in the Vindel River.

Trails and Active Days

The varying lengths, terrain features and historic stops along the trails help you compare the different options. The Grivetjärnsrundan is mostly dry and easy to walk, and is up to 6.6 kilometres long; wet sections are fitted with boardwalks. Kyrkstigen, also known as Lillskogsstigen, is an approximately 6-kilometre hike near the edge of town through easy terrain. The best access is from Tannbergsskolan in Lycksele.

Magdalenastigen is an approximately 2.5-kilometre-long, easy and family-friendly trail along an old church path. It passes a historic croft, a Kavel bridge and the remains of a water-powered mill, ending at the stone dam crest of Sodomsdammet from the first half of the 19th century. Poastigen is approximately 3.5 kilometres long in total, mostly easy to walk, and initially passes through a system of pit traps.

Smörbanan follows an old reindeer and horse route that historically led from Anundsjö in Ångermanland to the market and court site in Lycksele. Ponderosaleden is an approximately 8-kilometre cycling trail. It begins at the golf course in Solsidan, leads through the forest towards Lycksbäcken and continues to the Ponderosa area.

Lycksele has a centrally located nine-hole golf course next to Ansia Camping. Lycksele Golfbana is a woodland course with a partly park-like character and several challenging water hazards. It has a practice area with a driving range, bunker and putting green. Near Lycksele, the Bocksliden ski area has two lifts, a conveyor belt for children and several runs through varied terrain.

To the main travel overview: Västerbotten.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Robertsfors, Vindeln, Malå, Vännäs, Umeå.