Aurora Hunting in Umeå

In the city center near the conference center, aurora hunting can be challenging due to light pollution. However, there are several good spots close to Umeå that are easy to reach from the city center. The map below shows some recommended locations.  Remember to also check the weather forecast and bring warm clothes.

Green marks indicate popular places near Nydala Lake (Nydalasjön). These spots are favored for aurora hunting due to their minimal light pollution, providing clearer views of the night sky. The recreation area around Nydala Lake also offers amenities such as a lighted trail (9 km) around the lake, barbecue areas, and wind shelters. Nydala lake can be reached by bus from the City Center (Bus stop Vasaplan which is outside the conference center) with only a few hundred meters left to walk to the lake. 

  • To get to the southern end of the lake: Take bus 8 from Vasaplan to Källplatsen
  • To get to the northern end of the lake: Take bus 1 from Vasaplan to Nydala
  • To get to the western side of the lake: Take bus 2 from Vasaplan to Istidsgatan 

The timetable for buses can be found here. 

Orange marks represent other potential aurora watching locations. While these areas might have slightly more light pollution, they can still offer good opportunities to see the Northern Lights. 


Map Source: OpenStreetMap (www.openstreetmap.org) 

The locations on the map are the following:

  1. Hällan (western side of Nydala lake)
  2. Kärleksviken (eastern side of Nydala lake)
  3. Northern end of Nydala lake
  4. Southern end of Nydala lake
  5. Varvsparken (City Center)
  6. Körsbärsdalen  (City Center)
  7. Lundabron (City Center)
  8. Bräntis
  9. I20
  10. Hampstjärnstuga (8 km hike from the city center)

Other recommended locations for aurora watching are:

How to take images of aurora?

To capture the Northern Lights, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is recommended, ideally paired with a wide-angle lens that has a fast aperture (f/2.8 or wider). A sturdy tripod keeps the camera stable during long exposures, and a remote shutter release will help minimize camera shake. Consider bringing extra batteries, as cold weather can drain them quickly.

When setting up your camera, adjust the aperture to its widest setting (f/2.8 or wider) to capture as much light as possible. Start with an ISO between 3200 and 8000, adjusting based on the brightness of the aurora. Use a shutter speed between 1-30 seconds, depending on the movement of the lights. Set your white balance to around 3500K and manually focus on a distant light source or set your lens to infinity. 

The technique of modern smartphones is continuously increasing making it possible to capture aurora even with a smartphone. Ideally, you should use the ‘night mode’ to take pictures.

Further resources: