Finnåleden

Flottarleden/Finnåleden is a 23 km long hiking trail located in Helgum about 3 miles outside Sollefteå.

The trail follows the old fleet trail that starts in Runeåberg on the border with Jämtland and down to Visjön in Helgum.

The trail follows the old floating trail that starts in Runeåberg on the border with Jämtland and down to Visjön in Helgum.

The distance is about 23 km and has both easy hiking sections and very hilly terrain.

Hiking the entire route on the same day is a demanding task, but perfectly feasible if you are in normal physical shape.

There are many opportunities to walk sections as the road network is well developed in the area and allows car transport to the various stages. There are benches at strategic locations and wetlands are walked. Hiking boots or boots are recommended.

The trail has many shelters and there are also overnight accommodation facilities in the form of Helgums Hembygdsföreningen's "Dammkoja" at Finnådammet. Along the trail there are signs describing the various historical buildings and other attractions.

Trail description The trail is the old floating 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 windbreaks. The trail then follows Finnån down to Sjötjärn and Sjötjärndammet. If you continue the walk along Finnån, the next stop is 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. Dammkojan at Musksjödammet is private, but gives a picture of how the old raftsmen lived at that time.

From Musksjödammet it becomes a slightly different terrain where you leave Finnån to cross over to Visjön and after rounding the small lake you reach the end of the trail at Finnåbergsvägen.

Description of sights: Around Visjön there is wetland, with a rich bird population. In addition, after the trail there are many different stands of forest and meadowland, from fine pillared halls of pine to areas of dead forest and some very old trees. The trail is in many places very nice, on high ridges, with beautiful views. Along the old logging road you can see trapping pits, places where there have been logging dams, sawmills, sheepfolds etc.

A tip is to go early morning or late evening and then experience the fantastic beaver populations that are 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.