Storuman Municipality combines mountain, forest and lake landscapes with opportunities for outdoor activities in summer and winter. In Storuman itself, trails follow the water and lead to the church; further discoveries range from hiking routes and cross-country ski trails to fishing opportunities. The changing seasons shape which trails and experiences take centre stage: some are summer trails, while others depend on the ice in late winter.
Trails and Seasons
Two illuminated cross-country ski trails start at Storuman’s ski stadium, one four kilometres long and the other six. At Stenseleberget, between Storuman and Stensele, there are about 14 kilometres of groomed, illuminated trails. Grooming and lighting depend on the season. Another winter route is the trail along the Uman: in late winter, it follows the lake’s ice edge and runs about 13 kilometres from Storuman towards Laisbäck. It depends on winter ice and grooming conditions. Umanbacken has three downhill runs, a lift and a children’s slope; opening hours vary by season.
In summer, the six-kilometre Kyrkstigen from Storuman to Stensele Church is easy to walk. Sections of the trail have boardwalks; it is not accessible. The Drottningleden runs for nine kilometres between Laisaliden and Hemavan and is considered relatively easy to walk. Along the way, there are views of Norwegian peaks and glaciers. At Atoklimpen, the focus is on a Sámi cultural landscape: it shows how nomadic communities that kept reindeer have used the landscape from prehistoric times to the present day. There is a circular trail just under nine kilometres long, with several information boards, as well as an accessible rest area at Atostugan by Risbäcken.
The similar distances given for the Drottningleden and Atoklimpen refer to different types of trails: one runs between two named places, while the other is a circular route. The local waterfront promenade offers a different experience. It follows the shore of Luspviken, where Storuman is situated, and partly runs through the forest on boardwalks.
Water, Nature and Wildlife Watching
At the old bridge in Stensele, on the former route of the Vilhelminavägen, there is a birdwatching site by the Ume River. It is particularly worth stopping there from April to May. Fishing offers another way to experience the landscape of Storuman Municipality: more than 2,400 lakes and the Ume River provide numerous fishing opportunities year-round. In Storuman Lapland, you can fish independently or hire a fishing guide. Guide availability may vary by season and provider.
Cultural Traces in Storuman and Stensele
Stensele Church is one of Sweden’s largest wooden churches and is known as “Lappmarken’s Cathedral.” In Storuman, the Järnvägshotellet tells the story of the town’s railway history. It is the best-preserved railway hotel in the district; the façades facing the railway grounds remain as they were in the 1930s. In 1979, the former hotel was converted into a library. The dining rooms, stair hall and corridors have been preserved; some furniture from its time as a hotel also remains there.
On Luspholmarna, Hembygdsgården includes a museum with older local objects and historic buildings maintained by the local heritage association. In Hemavan, Naturum Vindelfjällen offers information on hiking trails, guided tours, exhibitions, maps and souvenirs. The municipality thus brings together different ways to explore the area: sacred wooden architecture, reminders of its railway-town past, local collections and information about the mountain landscape.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
The Inlandsbanan train stops in the centre of Storuman. Activities, restaurants and nature, as well as hotels and a campsite, are within walking distance. Check train services and local offerings before your trip. The E12, known as the Blue Highway, also connects the town to a longer route: it runs from Umeå along the Ume River, via Storuman and Hemavan-Tärnaby, and continues to Mo i Rana and Nesna on the Atlantic coast.
Discover more destinations: Hemavan, Tärnaby, Åskilje, Grannäs, Storuman, Gunnarn, Slussfors, Norsjö.
Back to the main travel overview: Västerbotten.
