The Isälvsleden is a 60 km long bike trail that offers a unique combination of nature, geology and cultural history. Here you cycle mountain bikes through a dramatic landscape characterized by the advance of the inland ice, with traces in the form of pebble ridges, dead ice pits and active mud volcanoes.
The trail runs through forests, lakes and high ridges and takes approximately 4-5 hours to cycle in its entirety. Parts of the route run up a mighty ridge, providing magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.
Along the way there are several shelter and a simple overnight cabin (first come, first served) which makes it possible to split the tour. The many lakes and rivers also provide great opportunities for fishing - just remember to buy a fishing license in advance.
The Ice River Trail is a MTB-led suitable for both families and more experienced cyclists who want to combine nature experiences with exciting elements of ancient geology and stone age history.
Isälvsleden starts (or ends) in the town of Vindeln. You start at the sports and ice rink Fritidscentrum in the northeastern part of the community. The trail initially follows the electric light trail. This stage is easy and you cycle with a slight climb over Degermyrliden and then pass the eastern edge of the village of Abborrtjärn.
From Abborrtjärn, the trail goes over Koverberget, through a slightly wetter spruce forest. Virgin Mary's keys grow here in several places and near Lappkuliden you can find Strutbräken and Nattviol. Just before Yttersjön there is a picnic area. In Hällnäs there is a grocery store and here you pass the railroad through the viaduct in the middle of the village. Make a detour to the old sanatorium, a mighty building in the middle of the pine forest.
On this short section along the crossrail you cycle towards Lycksele and over the mighty Hjuksåsarna with fine views of the Vindelälven valley and the village of Hjuken. Over Hjuksån you follow the highway bridge. This stage is about 3 kilometers and perfect for families with children.
You cycle initially along the highway and over a pine-covered dune landscape on the southwest side of Hjuksån and then continue between the village of Ekodalen and Stönningsliden. Make a detour to Lerfallet, a unique area where the water flow creates a miniature landscape of mud volcanoes. The area is particularly worth seeing during rainy periods. Just before the overnight cabin at Missutjärn, you will once again pass the crossrail towards Lycksele.
On this stage you cycle through a dead ice landscape with dead ice pits, sometimes filled with water, forming small ponds. The perch lakes along the trail are examples of water-filled dead ice pits. The steep pebble ridge Sundkammen is perhaps the most spectacular part of the Isälvsleden trail, which takes you out into Lake Åmträsket. There is a nice sandy beach with a shelter and barbecue area. On the northern part of the ridge, there is a stone settlement and two settlements with ancient remains. In Djupsund there are boats for crossing, make sure to leave the site with a boat on each side.
Here, the trail crosses ridges where fall storms felled forests. There is also a shelter on this stage. If you want a less challenging bike ride, you can choose the road around Abborrträsket.
Pebble ridges
Pebble ridges, which the Ice River Trail often follows, are elongated ridges of rounded rocks, gravel and sand formed by meltwater rivers during the melting of the ice sheet. These ridges, which can be hundreds of kilometers long and usually run north-south, were created when ice rivers flowed through tunnels under the ice and deposited material at the ice edge. The coarser rocks sank quickly while finer material was deposited further away, creating layers where the coarser materials lie at the bottom.
Mortuary pits and graves
Along the trail there are several small lakes formed when large blocks of ice from the ice sheet melted into depressions. These depressions, often located in valleys or between upland areas, have a flat bottom and steep edges. They often have marshes or open water at the bottom. The perch ponds along the trail are examples of water-filled dead ice pits.
Photo: Amanda Sveed.
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You can travel by bus or train (SJ or Norrtåg) to Vindeln. The Norrtåg commuter train runs daily between Umeå-Vindeln-Lycksele. Isälvsleden starts at Fritidscentrum, about 1 kilometer from Resecentrum in Vindeln.
In Djupsund there are boats for crossing, make sure to leave a boat on each side.
Missutjärn is one of the most beautiful lakes, surrounded by a fabulous old pine forest.
In Lerfallet you will find Västerbotten's own volcanoes.
