Helgum on the Faxälven and Helgumssjön

Helgum lies on the Faxälven and Helgumssjön; its proximity to the water shapes the area. There are several different themes to consider when planning your trip: the river and lake, trails through forests and open areas, local architectural history, and nature watching. Depending on whether you are mainly interested in hiking, cycling, birdlife, or historic buildings, you can focus on different things when planning your stay.

Water and river landscape

Meåforsen is the last stretch of rapids on the Faxälven that has not been developed for hydropower. Badplatsen i Helgum can be reached via a short forest path from the parking area by the railway crossing in the town centre. These water-related features include both access to a named bathing spot and a stretch of river characterised by its lack of hydropower development, which you can take into account when planning your trip.

Hiking through forest and history

Finnåleden, also called Flottarleden, is a 23-kilometre hiking trail in Helgum. It follows the old log-driving route from Runeåberg on the border with Jämtland to Visjön in Helgum. The name recalls this historic use; the route is also described as a hiking trail. Finnåleden has both easy-to-walk sections and very hilly terrain. There are many wind shelters along the trail, and signs provide information about various historic buildings and other sights. Bear in mind when planning that trail conditions can vary by season.

Helgums Elljusspår offers a different landscape: it runs through forest and across a clear-cut area; the route ends at a car park by the football pitch, where there is a picnic table. The descriptions therefore draw a clear distinction: for Finnåleden, the length, varied terrain, and historical information are noted; for Elljusspår, the surrounding landscape and the picnic table at the end.

Cycling route and birdlife

For cycling, Helgumssjön runt is another option. The cycling loop is 42.9 kilometres long and is easiest to start in Helgum. Together with the 23-kilometre Finnåleden, it offers a concrete comparison in length between two different activities. This information can help you gauge the scale of your planned route without treating the hiking trail and cycling route as equivalent.

Birdlife may also be a factor when deciding what to focus on: the wetland around Visjön is home to a rich variety of birdlife. If you want to include nature as well as hiking and cycling in your trip plans, this offers another aspect of the landscape to explore.

Architectural history

Helgums kyrka is a stone church built by Pål Pehrsson and completed in 1795. The construction work could have been completed as early as 1790; however, the church was not considered fully complete until 1795. The two years therefore mark different stages: the possible earlier completion of the work and the date when the church was considered complete.

The buildings at Helgums Hembygdsgård were constructed between 1866 and 1870. The church’s building history in the late 18th century and the later buildings at Hembygdsgård therefore represent different periods. If you are interested in the history of the buildings, these dates can help you place the two topics in their respective historical contexts.

Discover more destinations: Näsåker, Sollefteå, Edsele, Junsele, Långsele, Ramsele.

Go to the main travel overview: Sollefteå.