Holiday apartment in Bjurholm – Nature, culture and trails along the Öreälven

Bjurholm combines long river trails with deeply incised valleys, art venues and winter routes. The Öreälven hiking trail runs between Örträsk and Agnäs in Bjurholm Municipality and is approximately 50 kilometres long. It follows the undeveloped forest river Öreälven through deeply incised valleys with steep outer bends and meanders. Another major trail is the Lögdeälven Wilderness Trail, which is approximately 85 kilometres long, 32 kilometres of which lie within Bjurholm Municipality.

Nature and trails

Along the Öreälven hiking trail there are many overnight cabins and wind shelters, as well as beaches, barbecue areas and outdoor toilets. Near Lagnäset lies a unique area with hay meadows that can stand out with their golden-yellow globeflowers. A pedestrian suspension bridge also crosses the Öreälven there. The Lögdeälven is characterised by canyon landscapes, steep outer bends and caves; Drakryggen is one of its most distinctive outer bends.

In the Balberget Nature Reserve, a marked trail leads to Balklinten at the summit. The summit of the nature reserve lies 439.8 metres above sea level and offers expansive views over the Bjurholm landscape. Balklinten has a rest area with a barbecue and wind shelter. Balberget can be reached via the road between Umeå and Åsele. A few kilometres before Balsjö, signs point to the reserve; there is a car park at its entrance.

Art and history

Even away from the river landscapes, Bjurholm offers an unusual combination of regional history and contemporary art. The artwork Oh Du härliga land in the village of Balsjö consists of eight sculptures on eight iron posts, with each sculpture telling its own story. At the rapids of the Lögdeälven stands Vägabstraktion, a sculpture made from traffic signs in various colours.

Lergrova’s small farm shop sells ceramics; visitors are received there by prior appointment. The Hembygdsgården is situated on elevated ground by the Öreälven, where the first settlement in Bjurholm was founded in 1752. Bjurholm Church was inaugurated in 1935 as the third church of the Bjurholm parish, at a centrally located site of earlier churches. Its furnishings include an altarpiece created by Hildur Haggård in 1935.

The approximately 350-kilometre-long art exhibition Konstvägen Sju Älvar comprises 13 artworks, two of which are located in Bjurholm Municipality. In Karlsbäck, Konsthall Väst på Fjället hosts exhibitions, opening receptions and various performances. In summer, Balfors Gård holds craft courses and café days, often together with changing exhibitions.

Winter, water and activity

For alpine activities, Agnäsbacken offers three lifts and around ten downhill runs. Bjurholm’s winter snowmobile network comprises 42 Swedish miles of groomed main trails. Smaller snowmobile trails lead, among other places, to barbecue areas and cabins. The ski and activity trails in central Bjurholm can be used in both summer and winter.

On the Öreälven, paddling ranges from calm to more demanding experiences, depending on the section chosen. The Petnäset grill hut can be rented in connection with a canoe trip or another event. It is accessible via a signposted turnoff from Route 353 between Bjurholm and Agnäs. The swimming pool in Bjurholm offers lane swimming and exercise swimming, public swimming, family swimming and swimming for young children.

Admission to Älgens Hus includes a visual presentation, a guided tour of the museum and a visit to the moose. In Bjurholm, nature, activities, culture and insights into local history therefore exist side by side, without the experiences being limited to a single season.

Further destinations in the same regional context can be found under Bjurholm, Sorsele, Storuman, Vindeln, Dorotea, Malå, Skellefteå and Åsele.

For the higher-level travel overview: Västerbotten.