Holiday apartment in Lycksele – Nature, History and Hiking Trails

Lycksele is shaped by the Umeälven: the river flows directly through the town and plays a central role in its townscape. At the same time, Gammplatsen lies nearby, a place where nature, Sámi culture and the history of trade come together. For several centuries, Gammplatsen was an important meeting and trading place. In the past, Sámi people, settlers and traders, among others, gathered there; markets, court days and church festivals were held on the site several times a year.

Culture and History

Gammplatsen is home to numerous historic buildings and cultural institutions. The Skogs- och samemuseet presents exhibitions about the forest and Sámi culture. The Kulturbotan cultural botanical garden preserves historic cultivated plants arranged according to inspiration from Sámi and settler culture. The church at Gammplatsen is a replica of Lycksele’s second church, built in 1736. The 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 kåta, a Southern Sámi turf kåta and three storage huts: a Buerie on one post, a Luovve on four posts and a Härbre. Margaretakyrkan is used mainly for weddings, baptisms and other celebrations. The Samegården building, also known as Mamsell Lovisas skola, is now used by Lycksele’s Sámi association. Karlbergsgården also stands at Gammplatsen. It is a Parstuga house typical of Västerbotten, dating from 1850, which was moved there in 1982. The Kägelbanan dates from the late 19th century; at the time, only around twenty similar buildings were constructed in Sweden. In summer, Diversehandel at Gammplatsen mainly sells caramels and sweets.

Nature

The Gammplatsen nature reserve is located near Lycksele on the Umeälven, 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 been recorded in the nature reserve. The Gammplatsen recreation area also has a large car park.

Hiking and Cycling

Several trails provide access to the landscape, with varying lengths and characteristics. The Grivetjärnsrundan is mostly dry and easy to walk and is up to 6.6 kilometres long; wet sections are equipped with wooden boardwalks. Kyrkstigen, also known as Lillskogsstigen, is an approximately 6-kilometre hike in easy terrain close to the outskirts of town. 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, dating 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.

For cycling, there is Ponderosaleden. This approximately 8-kilometre-long cycle trail starts at the golf course in Solsidan and leads through the forest towards Lycksbäcken and the Ponderosa area.

Golf, Water and Winter Sports

Lycksele has a centrally located nine-hole golf course next to Ansia campsite. Lycksele Golfbana is a woodland course with a partly park-like character and several challenging water hazards. The golf course includes a practice area with a driving range, bunker and putting green.

In Lycksele Municipality, paddling opportunities range from multi-day tours on long, interconnected waterways to short day trips through varied lake systems. Fishing is possible in both flowing and still waters, including salmon in the Vindelälven. Near Lycksele, the Bocksliden ski area has two lifts, a conveyor belt for children and several runs through varied terrain.

Location and Getting There

Lycksele Airport is located about 5 kilometres from the centre of Lycksele. For further local navigation: Örträsk, Lycksele, Vormsele.

For the wider travel overview: Västerbotten.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Vännäs, Vilhelmina, Storuman, Norsjö, Sorsele.