Piteå: Hiking Trails, Culture and Paddling

The Solanderleden connects hikers with village life, grazing animals, summer cafés, farm shops and places to stay along the route. Piteå also offers trails, natural areas and cultural attractions with a range of different focuses. You can plan your trip around a hike, a historical trail or an excursion on the water.

Hiking trails of varying lengths

Fingermanholmen has walking trails of 1 to 3 kilometres and a network of paths. The Fårön outdoor recreation area offers nature trails and rest areas, with hiking options of up to about 3 kilometres. The first 300 metres of the trail in the Fårön outdoor recreation area run along wide wooden boardwalks and are suitable for wheelchair users, strollers and walkers. Fingermanholmen also has a jetty, a bathing beach, a sauna, a fire pit and a toilet.

Karlbergsleden has short circular trails and routes of up to 17 kilometres; some sections run along wooden boardwalks. The viewpoints at Råberget and Falkberget each have a shelter and a barbecue area. The variety of route lengths makes it easy to choose between a shorter loop and a longer hike, without requiring all the trails to follow the same route.

Scenery and history along the way

Eliasleden passes through old forests and lush wetlands, as well as across easily accessible rocky and mountainous terrain. Viewpoints and rest areas complement the trail, and information covers local geology, flora and fauna. The Arkeologistigen in Jävre also combines exercise with history: the marked trail is 7.5 kilometres long. A shorter alternative is a 2-kilometre section that passes by graves in a natural setting. Signs provide information about historical finds and the presumed way of life of people in the area around 3,000 years ago.

Solanderleden stretches for 23 Swedish miles between Luleå Airport and the coastal village of Jävre, south of Piteå. It passes through a landscape with a cultural history dating back 5,000 years. Village life, grazing animals and seasonal summer cafés add further points of interest to the hiking route; farm shops and places to stay are also located along the way.

Nature, birdlife and islands

Stenskär has a long sandy beach and a rich variety of birdlife. Ancient labyrinths and a fishing village with red-painted fishermen’s huts add to the landscape. The Lustgården nature reserve covers about 315 hectares. Its surroundings resemble a natural forest and are home to around 30 plant and animal species classified as threatened on the Red List. The Bondöfjärden nature reserve comprises about ten islands in Bondöfjärden; these form part of the Pite River Ridge, which is geologically significant throughout the country.

Paddling in the archipelago and on Trolleden

For an archipelago experience, Piteå SUP rents stand-up paddleboards at the marina in Norra hamn. Piteå Kayakcenter gives kayak renters access to 23 kayak routes in the Piteå archipelago. The routes are suitable for kayaking and canoeing trips lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days. The options range from shorter trips to longer stays on the water.

The first section of Trolleden is over 20 kilometres long. Another 15 kilometres of paddling routes can be reached via Trappån and Kilisån to the Byske älv. The canoe routes were created jointly by Domänverket, Arvidsjaurs revir and the Municipality of Piteå in a forested area with a rich cultural history.

Museum, church and local insights

Piteå Museum is housed in the old town hall at Rådhustorget. Objects, photographs and stories offer an insight into Piteå’s history and cultural heritage. Museum visits, guided tours of Piteå and lectures can be booked. Piteå kyrka dates back to 1686 and is considered the oldest wooden church in northern Sweden; it is also a cultural landmark in Upper Norrland.

AlterHedens Rhubarb Farm has a self-service shop selling edible gifts, including cloudberry jam and rhubarb liquorice. Guided tours of the old Alterdalen farm community are also available. In the historic industrial setting of Rosfors Bruk, you can walk through cultural landscapes, along avenues and through forests.

Piteå Turistcenter provides information about attractions, places to visit, campsites and fishing spots, and sells tickets for several events. It is located in the old brewery building next to the bus station.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Piteå, Sjulsmark, Norrfjärden, Storsund, Altersbruk, Rosvik, Lillpite, Gråträsk, Sikfors, Koler.

Back to the main travel guide: Norrbotten.