Hemavan
Hemavan is a secluded ski resort in Swedish Västerbotten. It is the southern trailhead for the Kungsleden trail. The nature reserve of the Vindelfjällen fell area is close to the north and east.
Understand
The fell area around Hemavan is an important destination, with the nature reserve of Vindelfjällen the largest in Sweden, at 5,500 km2 (2,100 sq mi).
The ski resorts of Hemavan and Tärnaby (20 km away) form the biggest centre for downhill skiing in Sweden. The pists have among the biggest hight differences in Sweden. The highest fell, Norra Storfjället, reaches 1,768 m (5,801 ft). Most tourist facilities are owned by a single company, Hemavan Alpint.
Hemavan itself is is in the lowlands in the valley of the Ume river, by the lake Ahasjön. The area is a nationally important cultural landscape. Hemavan and its surroundings belong to the municipality Storuman. The Norwegian border is some 40 km away.
The first tourists came in the 1930s, as the road along the Ume river, continuing to Norway, was improved. The first ski lift was built 1954.
Get in
Hemavan is at the Blue Highway between Russian Petrozavodsk and Træna in the Norwegian archipelago.
Buses go between Umeå (which has fast trains) at the Swedish coast and Hemavan . There is also an overnight bus from Stockholm . There are no public buses to Norway from Hemavan. There is also a small airport, with flights from Stockholm. It is closed in summer time. Alternative airports are Mo i Rana, Vilhelmina, Umeå. The airport has around 1 km distance from Hemavan centre, the closest airport in Sweden.
Tärnaby is 20 km to the south-east. The municipal centre Storuman is 150 km to the south-east, Mo i Rana 100 km to the north-west.
Get around
See
- Botanic garden of alpine plants (Fjällbotaniska trädgården).
- Vindelfjällen visitor centre (Naturum Vindelfjällen).
- Hemavan church.
Do
In winter
- Downhill skiing. Including off-pist heliskiing.
- Cross-country skiing.
In summer
- Hiking.
- Kungsleden. The most famous hiking trail in Sweden, 440 km, to the north through the Laponia national park system and ending in Abisko, close to Kebnekaise.
- Drottningleden. 10 km hiking trail to Laisaliden.
- Tours and excursions. The Vindelfjällen visitor centre arranges tours and excursions. Check dates.
- Mountain biking. Some of the ski lifts can be used for bikes in the summer season.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
There are hotels, cabins etc. in Hemavan. There are wilderness huts in Vindelfjällen, although a tent gives you more freedom to choose your routes.