Hike the Forsarna runt circular trail

The trail is well marked, relatively easy to walk and takes approximately one to two hours to complete. It follows both sides of the river and passes several viewpoints.

The western side is flatter and dominated by mature coniferous forest. The eastern side, towards the village of Vindeln, is hillier, with steep riverbanks and deciduous woodland. A suspension bridge connects the two sides and offers excellent views of the rushing water.

Rest areas:
Several shelters, barbecue areas and rest areas can be found along the trail, providing pleasant places for a break or picnic. Fires and overnight stays are permitted only in designated areas.

Culture and history:
On the eastern side of the river, near Renforsen, the trail passes the large mill dating from 1888. During the summer, the building hosts art exhibitions under the name Konst i Kvarn. A seasonal café is located in the nearby former miller’s cottage.

Along the trail, you can also see traces of the timber-floating era, including stone structures and guiding walls once used when logs were floated down the river.

Holmen:
Holmen is a small island that was originally connected to the mainland. During the powerful spring flood of 1995, the water carved out a new river channel, separating the island from the riverbank.

The smaller channel often freezes to the bottom during winter before transforming into a miniature rushing river during the spring flood. These dramatic seasonal variations in water flow have created a distinctive environment with interesting plant and animal life.

The Forsarna runt trail follows the eastern edge of Holmen. An additional path runs around the other side of the island, creating a shorter circular walk.

Sagogläntan:
Further into Holmen, close to the trail, lies Sagogläntan – the Fairy-Tale Glade – a playful place in the middle of the forest. Children and adults can discover wooden sculptures depicting characters from Swedish folklore, including trolls, gnomes and the mythical forest spirit known as the vittra.

The glade also features simple balancing courses made from logs and plenty of space for play and movement in a peaceful, natural and magical setting.

Restoration of the river channel:
During the timber-floating era, rocks and other obstacles were removed from the river channels to make it easier to transport timber downstream.

In recent years, sections of the river channel have been restored to recreate the river’s natural form and rebuild habitats for fish, insects and other aquatic species that depend on flowing water.

Vindelforsarna Nature Reserve:
The nature reserve covers 76 hectares and is also protected as part of the Natura 2000 network. The landscape is varied, with deciduous woodland, ravines and river terraces on the eastern side and mature coniferous forest on the western side.

Plants found in the area include common wintergreen, one-flowered wintergreen, wood sorrel, valerian and cinnamon rose. King Charles’s sceptre, the official flower of Västerbotten, grows along the riverbanks.

The Vindel River is one of Sweden’s four National Rivers and is protected from hydropower development. As a result, the river retains its natural flow and rich biodiversity.

Trail information:
Distance: Approximately 5 kilometres
Duration: Approximately 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Relatively easy
Surface: Natural paths, gravel and wooden walkways
Lighting: Parts of the trail are lit during the evening