After crossing the boarder of Norway the "Blue Highway" goes to Vinderfjällen, the biggest preservation area in Europe. The road follows the shore of lake Överuman and Umeälv-river all the way to the coast. This is the summer pasture land for reindeers but when it gets too warm they move higher up to the snow fields. The botanical garden in Hemavan presents 400 species from the rich occurrence of plants in the surrounding arctic mountains. In the summertime Hemavan is the starting point for the Kungsleden hiking trail that covers the hole range of Swedish mountains. In the wintertime the ski resorts both in Hemavan and Tärnaby offer hotels, cottages, restaurants and a variety of activities. The Alpinaario takes you back to the history of downhill skiing and Samegården to the Lapponian culture. Many stores sell the high quality Lapponian products. The center of business and service, Storuman, is also an important junction for the "Blue Highway", Inlandsvägen and Inlandsbana. Tourists can choose between staying at a campsite by a lake or a hotel with a photogenic view. The biggest wooden church in Sweden is in Stensele and open for tourists during summertime. In the middle of forest land on a beautiful location by Umeälv-river is Lycksele which is also known as the "Stockholm of Lapponia". The town has hundreds of years old traditions as a trading and church place. One of the many things worth seeing is th Lycksele Zoo presenting northern fauna. Its been built so that visitors think the animals can move around freely. Gammplatsen is a big and unique home district area demonstrating the history of pioneer farmers. The only Forest Museum in Sweden is also situated in Gammplatsen. People have lived by Umeälv river for thousands of years. The old traps for animals in Tegsnäs and the petroglyphs in Norrfors are signs of ancient living and livelihood. All the rapids in the river were "harnessed" in the 1950´s and 1960´s as there was a big demand for power stations. Today Umeälv river is one the most productive rivers in Sweden. In the same direction with Umeälv flows Vindelälven, one of the four unharnessed rivers in Sweden. There you can see many big rapids , for example Renforsen and Mårdseleforsen, at close distance. They also arrange many rapids shooting contests in different locations. Vindelälv connects with Umeälv and the Blue Highway with the Route of Arts and Seven Rivers in Vännäs. This route also goes from the moors all the way to the coast. You can find ten works of art each made by an acknowledged Scandinavian artist and located in surprising places as you go along the route. One of them is Ulf Rollof´s Eldsoffa (Fire sofa) close to Vännäs. The university city Uumaja, also known as the "City of birches", is the biggest city in northern Sweden with her 100 000 residents. It is also an important junction for the Blue Highway, road E4 and the ferry connection to Vaasa. Research in many areas is top of its class in the world and the university hospital is specialized in many fields. Over one million people visit Uumaja yearly to enjoy top level sports and rich cultural offerings. There is a Picture Museum in Gammlia, the Västerbotten Museum with big collections and the Swedish Ski Museum with the oldest ski in the world. The very first power station in Umeälv has been restored at the energy center Klabböle in Uumaja. The Umelagun by the campsite makes it possible to swim any day of the year. Uumaja is also a good place to start daily outings to for example the idyllic Norrbyskär with its memorial for the sawing period. Golf, fishing, seal safari or canoeing are some examples of the many things to experience in Uumaja.