Located in northern Sweden, this Lapland municipality has deep Sami cultural roots. Winter visitors can see the northern lights while locals maintain traditional reindeer herding practices.
In Vilhelmina, you can sleep in a preserved 1900s church cottage, walk through spruce forests in the Blaikfjäll Nature Reserve, and watch reindeer herding demonstrations by local Sami families. The town lies between two lakes in Swedish Lapland, with marked trails leading to the rushing Gubbsele Rapids. Each July, folk musicians play traditional instruments at the Settler Week festival while local vendors sell handicrafts and farm produce at the market square.
Walking and Hiking Trails
The Blaikfjäll Nature Reserve has two main trails: the 2.5-kilometer Stormyrsstigen and the 1.8-kilometer Sumpskogsstigen. Both paths include wooden stairways and footbridges over wetlands. A 4-kilometer trail circles Lake Volgsjön to the Gubbsele Rapids, while the Sagatun path extends into the nature reserve through pine and birch forests.
Seasonal Events and Festivals
During Settler Week in July, local farmers sell vegetables and berries at the market square, while Sami families demonstrate reindeer herding techniques. Folk musicians perform on fiddles and accordions throughout the week. The Vilhelmina Winter Weekend in February includes ice fishing competitions and snowmobile tours.
Church Town
The wooden church cottages from 1916 line narrow streets near the town center. After a fire in 1921 destroyed part of the area, many buildings were rebuilt using the original designs. Today, local artisans sell wool crafts, wooden items, and jewelry from small shops between the cottages.
Fishing Locations
You can catch brown trout weighing up to 5 kilograms in Lake Volgsjön, with fishing spots within walking distance from the town center. The Vojmån stream, particularly its lower section, contains char. Fishing permits are available at the tourist office.
Getting There and Around
South Lapland Airport runs daily flights to Stockholm-Arlanda. The Inland Line train operates between June and August. By car, follow the E45 Highway - the drive from Stockholm takes about 8 hours. Local buses connect Vilhelmina with nearby villages.
The Enchanted Forest
Follow the fairytale path to find wooden carvings telling the story of Attjis-ene. The trail starts at two large sculptures near the museum, which displays exhibits about local farming methods and Sami reindeer herding. Pick up free town maps at the museum's front desk.
