Eliasleden

Eliasgrottan, which is less than a kilometer from the start, is a very popular and exciting excursion destination, so most visitors are content with a short trip there and back. Those who can walk a little further, up to Larssonsberget, will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the whole of Infjärden and more. At the top there is also a shelter with barbecue area.The loop Eliasgrottan - Vitsjön - Högberget - EliasgrottanFrom Eliasgrottan the path leads further up Högberget and then continues past Mjösjön, Rörmyrberget, Djuptjärn, Vitsjön and back to Högberget again. It is a loop of 9.4 km. Up on Larssonsberget and Rörmyrberget as well as at the fishing lakes Djuptjärn and Vitsjön there are shelters and barbecue areas. At Vitsjön there is also a Lapp hut suitable for overnight stays.DetoursThere are three detours in total. The first goes from Djuptjärn to Björnberget by Bodsjön, a distance of 1.5 km. At Vitsjön there is the possibility of the other two detours. One is 9 km long and takes you to the picturesque crown building Nötmyrbodarna with a restored forest hut, stables and tar valley. The other measures 6 km and takes you up the Kalahatten mountain in Kalamark, 240 meters above sea level.

Variations and overnight staysThe total distance of 26 km therefore makes the trail a challenge even for the experienced hiker. However, great freedom of choice is given on different routes and car transport is possible to several places along the trail, including Djuptjärn, Vitsjön and Kalahatten. The hike can be divided into two days with an overnight stay, preferably at the hut at Vitsjön or the forest hut at Nötmyrbodarna.The legend of the great thief EliasEliasleden is named after the great thief Elias, who in the 19th century ravaged Infjärden and was Piteå's answer to Robin Hood. According to folklore, Elias got his thieving tendencies when he was cradled on a stolen pillow as a child.

For a long time, he annoyed the population around Infjärden with his nightly theft tours. However, Elias was a strange thief who did not seem to steal for his own gain. Many stories tell of how he stole from rich farmers and then left the stolen goods in front of some poor crofter's door at night.

Elias was also skilled at remaining undetected. After a theft spree in Öjebyn, he is said to have walked backwards across the ice of Svensbyfjärden wearing a pair of women's shoes - all to confuse his pursuers.

The beginning of the end of Elias's career came when an old lady was out picking lingonberries on Högberget. As she approached Elias Grotto, the thief's home and hideout, she spotted Elias sitting on a stump patching his pants. The old woman quickly made her way back down to the village and told him what she had seen.

The count and a group of men from Svensbyn went up to Högberget to catch the big thief. Elias, who had just started a large paltry stew. He was caught completely off guard when the men stormed into the cave. To defend himself against the mob, he threw his red-hot paltas at the men. In this way he held out against the mob for some time. But soon he ran out of paltas and Elias was finally arrested.

The Elias Trail starts where the road between Svensbyn and Kalamark turns into a gravel road. There is a parking lot, which despite its size is not always sufficient.