Enjoy Skellefteås coast & archipelago

High cliffs and deep bays characterise this part of the Bothnian Bay. In several places there is a sense of being in the outer archipelago even while still on the mainland. Skellefteå municipality has the longest stretch of coast in the country and, because several rivers run into the sea, there are many natural small beaches and harbours along the shore. Which means many exciting places to visit.

In this guide, we take you on a journey along the coast of Skellefteå, starting in the north, showing you destinations on the way and ending in the south. The guide has been produced in collaboration with the Bottenvikens Skärgård.

Pite-Rönnskär

LIGHTHOUSE, FISHING SETTLEMENT AND WEATHER STATION

Pite-Rönnskär is a former lighthouse and pilot site, these days famous from radio weather forecasts. For the past century, the 37-metre-high Heidenstam lighthouse, known as the "Queen of the Lighthouses", has stood watch here. For those who want to spend the night, there is a nice guest harbor, but also a hostel and café that is open during the summer.

Deep inside the spruce forest on the northeastern of the island is a mythical rock block, called Klockstenen. Every time the church bells ring to call the congregation to worship, the mighty, moss-covered boulder is said to turn 90 degrees clockwise.

Båtvik

SCRAP WOOD JETTIES & SAWMILL ERA

In the middle of the 1500s, Båtvik was used for summer pasture by Byske's landowning farmers and it would be another 100 years before Båtvik had its first permanent homestead. At the beginning of the 1870s, a sawmill was built where at most 100 people worked, but which was closed down as early as 1892. Many remains remain to this day. At the pier there are guest berths for boats and right next door is Båtvik's marina.

Furuögrund

MEMORIES FROM THE SAWMILL ERA

The village’s glory days are linked strongly to the period 1874 to 1925 when the sawmill was in operation. Furuögrund has a fine harbour that is well protected from winds, and the guest jetties have a good depth, even for yachts. The old harbour warehouse has a summer café. Housed in a beautiful building on the beach just north of the harbour, is a tide gauge from 1914. Water taxis run from Furuögrund out to Halsön and Hamnskär

Kåge

BOATING, BATHING AND CLIFFS

Kåge marina is Skellefteå's largest guest harbor, located inside Kågefjärden. Just outside Kåge marina is the island of Bastuholmen with the much visisted Lillhällan, which is wheelchair accessible. Lillhällan has smooth, bath-friendly rocks that reach almost down to the water. From Lillhällan there is also a walking path to Storhällan on Bastuholmen's westernmost point which has an observation rock with with barbecue area. If you do not have your own boat, you can take a boat taxi from Kåge marina.

Skelleftea river

FROM THE SEA TO THE CITY

In the mouth of the Skellefteälven river, in Skelleftehamn, you will find Kurjoviken. A trip along the Skellefteå river takes you from the open sea into restaurants and shopping in Skellefteå. On the way, you pass under bridges, through locks and past a number of suitable guest piers.

Detailed facts about the boat route can be found in the folder "By boat along the Skellefteälven" which is available at Skellefteå Tourist Center. It can also be downloaded from the web: www.skelleftea.se/batliv

Bäckfjärden

ON THE WAY TO THE CHALET

Bäckfjärden has an inner archipelago that consists of many islands and islets. The sound is rich in aquatic plants species. Part of the sound is included in the Natura 2000 network and is especially important to protect and conserve. At Bergskäret, ships were built for the merchant navy at the end of the 18th century.

Bjuröklubb

LIGHTHOUSE WITH MAGNIFICENT VIEWS

During the Bronze Age, when the sea level was about 30 meters higher than today, there were temporary dwellings here. Few places along the Norrland coast have as many remains after fishing and hunting as Bjuröklubb. Many of them can be seen along the archeological trail that runs across exposed rocks and fields of shingle. In 1859, the lighthouse which still burns today was built. Up by the lighthouse you get a sweeping view of the Bothnian Bay.

Munkviken

A CAMP SITE WITH HISTORY

Next to the sea, just south of Lövånger, is Munkviken, which is best known for its camp site. The facility, which was commissioned in 1941, has developed into a popular campground that still receives thousands of visitors annually. There is also a popular café, bathing area and guest harbor.

Juvikskäret

SMALL BAYS BETWEEN SMOOTH ROCKS

Juvikskäret is located furthest south on Skellefteå municipality's coast. It's a small island with sandy beaches interspersed between exposed rocks. The open sea lies beyond the island.

Hike along the coast

All hiking trails can be considered easily accessible without large differences in level. Some go partly on car or cycle paths, others are trodden paths in the forest.