The Fine Needle Nest
Finnåleden or Flottarleden is a 23 km long hiking trail located in Helgum about 3 miles outside Sollefteå. The trail follows the old rafting trail that starts in Runeåberg on the border with Jämtland and down to Visjön in Helgum. A few times a year, the trail is cleared but in the middle of summer
Finnåleden or Flottarleden is a 23 km long hiking trail located in Helgum about 3 miles outside Sollefteå. The trail follows the old rafting trail that starts in Runeåberg on the border with Jämtland and down to Visjön in Helgum. A few times a year, the trail is cleared but in the middle of summer it grows strongly, which is why early summer and autumn are preferable.
Length: 23 km
Difficulty level: Medium
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More information
- Adventure seekers
- Family
- A to B
Suggested visit length: One day
- Free parking
The stretch is about 23 km and has both easy walking sections and very hilly terrain.
Walking the entire distance in the same day is a strenuous task, but fully doable if you are in normal physical shape.
There are many opportunities to hike sections as the road network is well developed in the area and enables car transport to the different stages. Benches are available in strategic places and wet areas are footbridged. Hiking boots or boots are recommended.
The trail has many shelters and there is also accommodation in the form of Helgums Hembygdsförening's "Dammkoja" at Finnådammet. Along the trail there are signs describing the various historical buildings and other sights.
Trail description
The trail is the old raft trail and starts from Runåberg via Prästflovägen.
The trail follows Runån down to Norrsjön and Sörsjön where there are resting places in the form of wind shelters. Further, the trail follows Finnån down to Sjötjärn and Sjötjärndammet.
If you continue the hike along Finnån, the next stop will be Finnsjön where a number of summer cottages are beautifully located next to the beach. The trail follows the shoreline and Finnån down to Helgumsbodarna/Finnsjödammet where Dammkojan is located.
If you then continue along the hiking trail, you will pass Guxåsbodarna and down to Musksjön and its Musksjödamm. The pond hut at Musksjödammet is private, but gives a picture of how the old rafts lived at that time.
From Musksjödammet it becomes a slightly different terrain where you depart from Finnån to immediately over to Visjön and after rounding the small lake you reach the final destination on the trail at Finnåbergsvägen.
Description attractions:
Around Visjön there is a wetland, with a rich bird population. In addition, there are many different stands of forest and meadow land along the trail, from fine pillared halls of pine to areas of dead forest and some very old trees. The trail goes very nicely in many places, on high ridges, with beautiful views.
Along the old raft route you can see trap pits, places where there used to be floating ponds, sawmills, mountain pastures etc.
A tip is to go early morning or late evening and then experience the fantastic beaver populations that can be found at various places along the trail. It is also possible to rent canoes to experience nature's builders up close. Guided tours can also be arranged if desired.