Umeå – Nature, Islands and Museums

Umeå brings together river landscapes, protected areas and cultural sites within a compact area of thematic interest. Particularly characteristic is the Umeälven delta in Umeå Municipality: it is a nature reserve, a Natura 2000 site and a Ramsar site all at once. The delta is known for its birdlife; in spring, thousands of migratory birds stop there during their annual migration. Guided birdwatching tours are offered at this time of year, and birdwatching towers and other facilities are also available.

The geographical context can be further explored through the locations Holmsund, Umeå, Tavelsjö and Sävar.

Nature

On Stora Tuvan in the Umeälven delta, a wheelchair- and pram-accessible suspension bridge and an adapted ramp lead from the car park to a birdwatching and resting hide. The ramp is also accessible to people with visual impairments. Grössjön Nature Reserve combines old-growth forest and marshes with a sense of wilderness close to Umeå. A four-kilometre blue-marked circular trail with several resting places runs through the area. In the old forest of Grössjön, you can see capercaillies, short-eared owls and three-toed woodpeckers.

An approximately nine-kilometre illuminated walking and cycling path runs around Nydalasjön. In Holmöarna Nature Reserve, you can hike, paddle, cycle and swim; at the same time, the islands preserve traces of former hunting and fishing communities. There are hiking trails on Ängesön, Kammen and Trappudden. The Holmö ferry from Norrfjärden, north of Umeå, takes about 45 minutes and is free of charge.

Active Adventures

The pump track facility at Nydala cykelpark is open and accessible around the clock every day. It has two pump tracks suitable for MTB and BMX bikes and open to everyone. The two tracks are approximately 200 metres and 70 metres long, respectively. Äventyrsstigen is also located in Nydala: an 800-metre forest trail with eleven challenges of varying types and difficulty levels. A wheelchair-accessible ramp runs around the trail for approximately 75 metres into the forest.

Ume Älvdal is an excursion route through a cultural landscape along the Umeälven. The area can be explored by bicycle or on foot; attractions relating to history, art and culture are located along the route. Tavelsjöleden passes through varied landscapes with pine heaths, streams, lakes, rare plants, caves and high viewpoints; there are resting places along the trail.

Culture

Bildmuseet is an exhibition hall for international contemporary art at Umeå University's Arts Campus, where art and science are brought together. Its programme includes exhibition openings, guided tours, an open art workshop, artist talks, debates, lectures, as well as film, music and other events; admission is free. Since 2012, Bildmuseet has been housed in a building on the banks of the Umeälven.

The Gammlia open-air museum consists of around 30 buildings relocated there from various places in Västerbotten. It conveys regional history and offers, among other things, Midsummer celebrations and dance evenings in summer. The Kvinnohistoriskt museum is located in the Väven cultural centre. It is considered the first museum of its kind in Sweden and places women at the centre of exhibitions about the present, history and the future.

Guitars – The Museum displays a collection of electric guitars, basses, amplifiers and musical memorabilia assembled by the Åhdén brothers. Umedalens Skulpturpark is open around the clock all year round, and admission is free. It features around forty works by artists such as Tony Cragg, Louise Bourgeois, Anthony Gormley, Jaume Plensa and Anish Kapoor.

Science and Regional Cuisine

Curiosum is the science centre of Umeå University, where children and adults can explore science and technology together through experiments, programming, creative activities, games and a visit to the Wisdome Umeå dome theatre, among other things. At the Kvarkenfisk restaurant, you can enjoy locally caught fish in a coastal setting.

For the overarching travel overview: Västerbotten.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Umeå.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Nordmaling, Vilhelmina, Vindeln.