Varuträsk vildmarksgruva
Closed pegmatite mine from the 1930s with a self-guided tour underground and a Mineral Park above ground, known for over 70 minerals.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Varuträsk mine was discovered in 1932, when the farmer Harald Holmgren, during a hunt, noticed an unusual pegmatite vein on his forest land. He began to mine together with a small work team, despite scepticism in the village. No gold was ever found, but over 70 different minerals were, among them lepidolite with lithium and pollucite with caesium. One of the finds, Varulit, was named after the village.
Holmgren sold the mine in 1936 to Boliden AB, which operated it until 1946. Thereafter the galleries filled with water and the mine became hard to reach. In the 1980s several geological surveys were carried out, and the mine was later acquired by a local owner. The water was pumped out, the mine was renovated according to modern safety requirements and opened to visitors.
Today the area is run by Skellefteå Adventurepark (Skellefteå Adventure Park), of which the Vildmarksgruvan (Wilderness Mine) is part. Visitors borrow mining jackets, rubber boots, helmets and torches, watch a short film, and then go down into the mine on their own. Above ground there is the Mineralparken (Mineral Park), where, with a stone-prospecting licence (stenletarlicens), one can search for minerals among the old waste heaps.
Highlights
- Self-guided tour in the closed mine with borrowed equipment
- Traces of dynamite blasting and 2-billion-year-old bedrock
- Over 70 minerals, among them the rare Varulit
- Mineral Park above ground with a stone-prospecting licence
- Information film on the mine's history
- Operated by
- Skellefteå Adventurepark
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 150 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | SEK 75Children under 12 pay SEK 75; from 12 years SEK 150. |
| Mine admission and stone-prospecting licence (package price) | –The package is sold on site; a stone-prospecting licence can only be bought on site during opening hours, April–October. |
Payment is by card or Swish, not cash.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The descent to the mine consists of about 120 steps, and there is no lift. The temperature in the mine is 5–10 degrees all year round, so warm clothing is recommended.
Kids & families
Children under 12 pay half price (SEK 75).
Getting there & parking
The facility lies in Varuträsk, about 10 km west of Skellefteå, near road 95. The Mineralleden (Mineral Trail), a 16 km hiking trail, leads to Skellefteå Adventurepark and the Vildmarksgruvan.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Corporate events
Skellefteå Adventurepark offers group and conference arrangements.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| Good to know | The tour is self-guided: the visitor borrows mining jackets, rubber boots, helmet and torch in the briefing room, watches an information film of about 10 minutes, and then goes down into the mine. Taking stones in the underground mine is forbidden. |
