Vindelälvsleden follows the Vindelälven through northern Sweden, connecting the mountain setting of Ammarnäs with the cultivated landscape around Vännäsby. Developed and signposted by Svenska Cykelsällskapet, the route brings villages and riverside destinations together in a journey through Lapland and Västerbotten.
Along the Vindelälven
The main itinerary connects Vännäsby and Ammarnäs through a succession of communities along the river. Visit Vännäs lists Rödåsel, Vindeln, Hällnäs, Åmsele, Rusksele, Björksele and Sorsele among the places on its main alignment. The river is one of Sweden’s four national rivers.
The landscape changes across the journey, from the cultural landscape around Vännäsby to the mountains near Ammarnäs. The route links settlements with places to visit, fishing spots and excursion destinations, making it possible to choose a section around the part of the valley that interests you.
Two ways to ride
Vindelälvsleden has an itinerary intended for ordinary bicycles and a more demanding mountain-bike alternative. Visit Vännäs describes the MTB route as running mainly south of the Vindelälven between Sorsele and Selet. Its red signs carry the additional letters MTB.
Sweden by Bike credits Svenska Cykelsällskapet with developing the alignment and installing the route signs. The cycling society’s own route document also identifies a shared stretch with Sverigeleden between Rusksele and Vännäsby. Check which route you intend to follow at junctions, especially where named routes overlap.
Planning a section
Visit Vännäs suggests mid-May to late September as a suitable cycling season and notes that some parts can also be ridden in winter. Conditions can change, so check local information and the route you intend to use before setting out. Sweden by Bike describes asphalt and gravel on the route and notes that it uses roads shared with motor traffic.
Sorsele is a useful reference point when deciding which part of the valley to explore: Inlandsbanan describes Vindelälvsleden rides from there towards Ammarnäs or towards Vännäs. At the Vännäsby end, Visit Vännäs lists a manual bicycle pump at Slöjdarnas hus; it also lists one at Kullar och Klang in Vännforsbäck.