Illustration by Jessica Kwan.
After demolishing two julbords, stuffing yourself with pepparkaka and nearly drowning in glögg, perhaps it’s time to go for a lovely winter walk. Ethel Engman of Visit Skellefteå is your guide. Drag the kids, too! Illustration by Jessica Kwan.
Vitberget
Where: Vitberget, central Skellefteå
Length: 1.5 – 4 km
Difficulty rating: Medium
Suitable for kids: Yes, for kids 6 years and up
Description: This magical path is a beloved walk in the forest at Vitberget. Enjoy the scenery with your family and feel free to bring your dog, but be aware that the path may be slippery since it’s not sanded. The path crosses both a cross country track and a road.
Starting point: Begins and end at the fire pit at Erikslid – you’ll find the path behind the shelter.
Sjungande dalen illuminated dog walk
Where: Sjungande dalen
Length: 1.3 km
Difficulty rating: Medium
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: A small section of the lighted tracks in the forest at Sjungande dalen was turned into a path for dog owners to use during winter. But everyone is welcome, dog or not! Take a stroll through the forest and enjoy the snow covered trees. You’ll find the path to the right of the apartment complex, by a small parking lot.
Starting point: Go to Orkestervägen, and turn right after 500m into a small parking lot.
Skellefteå – West river path
Where: By the river at Prästbordet/Sunnanå
Length: 5 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: Enjoy the beautiful view of the frozen Skellefteå river while walking between the Lejonström bridge and Mobacken pond. The path is free from cars, and is an escape to nature. You’ll feel like you’re miles away from the city centre with all the trees and the calm surroundings on this beloved winter walk. It’s amazing how this degree of serenity can be found this close to the city center, but that is one of the great wonders about living in this part of the world – serenity is usually just a short distance away..
Starting point: Begins and ends at Lejonström bridge: walk west along the river path.
Skellefteå – River walk
Where: Central Skellefteå, by the river
Length: 7 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: This walk by the river is a beloved walk and used daily by many. It’s the perfect walk because you can decide for yourself how far you want to walk. If you’re chilly, you can cut the walk short by simply crossing a bridge. The whole path goes between Lejonström bridge and Älvsbacka bridge, and is free from cars.
Starting point: Begins and ends at Älvsbacka bridge – you set off walking west along the riverside.
Skelleftehamn
Where: Central Skelleftehamn
Length: 5 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: This walk will take you through Skelleftehamn and gives you a tour of historic buildings, the city centre towards the harbour and Rönnskär, a company that’s been open since 1930 and is a world leader in electronics recycling. The path is mainly along walkways in the city.
Starting point: Begin and end the walk next to ICA: start by walking north towards the traffic lights.
Kåge
Where: Central Kåge
Length: 5 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: Explore Kåge by walking through the community, the surrounding nature and by the river. You’ll walk through the historic parts of Kåge as well as through nature.
You won’t have to walk along any long stretch of road without a walkway, but it might be tricky to walk along the river if there’s been a lot of snow.
Starting point: Begins and ends by the soccer fields.
Byske
Where: Central Byske
Length: 1.6 – 7.7 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: The walk through Byske and it surroundings offers multiple routes. Take the long way round and walk by the river to the church, along the edge of the woods and to the ocean. Or make it shorter by only walking the route along the river. Be aware that parts of the walk are on a bigger road, so make sure that you are visible in the dark.
Starting point: Begins and ends at the bridge by Storgatan, and walk along the river.
Boliden
Where: Central Boliden
Length: 5.2 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: Begin your walk in Boliden centre and head towards the sports field. You will walk by the edge of Boliden mine. The mine was the biggest goldmine in Europe in the middle of the 1900s. Be aware that parts of the walk are on a busier road, so make sure that you are visible in the dark.
Starting point: Begins and ends by the swimming pool.
Burträsk
Where: Central Burträsk
Length: 7.5 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: Enjoy Burträsk centre and the countryside. This path will take you through the town’s historic centre but mostly through snowy fields with scenic views of the countryside. Be aware that the roads can be narrow, and make sure that you are visible in the dark.
Starting point: Begins and ends by the church, pictured above.
Bureå
Where: Central Bureå
Length: 4.5 km
Difficulty rating: Easy
Suitable for kids: Yes
Description: Enjoy a calming walk through central Bureå and head south to Hästkroken with its country vibe. Stroll past fields and old timber houses. Be aware that parts of the walk are on a bigger road, so make sure that you are visible in the dark.
Starting point: Begins and ends by Bureå square.
All these paths are signposted every kilometre in both directions.
Maps and more info can be found at skelleftea.se
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