Arvidsjaur
& Arjeplog
By the Arctic Circle
Summer & Winter
Wake up in another world
Lapland – where you will find vast open expanses, lakes, and your own personal heaven.
For both locals and visitors, that’s what it’s all about.
Come along on a journey through the seasons.
Reindeer herding. Some 40 native families in the region – the Sami’s – make their living as reindeer
herders. Together they have 30,000 reindeer, which are herded between the mountains and the coast
depending on the season.
There are opportunities for you to experience a taste of a reindeer herder’s life with one of the
Sami companies in Arvidsjaur and Arjeplog.
Midwinter light
At first, it’s dark most of day.
Sometimes the stars and northern lights – the aurora
borealis – light up the sky.
When the light of the new moon reflects off the sparkling snow, the
forest takes on a silver glow that’s almost like daylight. It’s completely
silent, except for the snow crunching under your feet. A skiing tour on
such a clear, moonlit night is unforgettable.
In Lapland, winter extends over more than half the year. In midwinter, the temperature can drop lower than 40 degrees below freezing.
Up to four metres of new snow falls, which compacts into a metre-thick
snow cover.
Santa Claus lives here at the Arctic Circle in his secluded house deep
in the forest. You can visit him at Christmas time.
A stay in the realm of ice and snow is an unforgettable adventure.
Late winter – open you
Purity. Pure snow, clean air, crystal water.
In Lapland, pollution is still a rarity.
At first the light returns slowly. Then the days quickly get
longer and longer. By the end of April, you can enjoy the snow
and sun until late in the evening.
This is the time of year to be sociable and enjoy exciting
winter activities. Experience the charm of travelling silently
our mind and enjoy
through the beautiful winter scenery with a powerful dog
team.
Or play golf on packed snow – a real challenge for group
travellers.
Skiing, jig fishing, and snowmobiling are some other common winter activities.
Almost half of the population owns a snowmobile.
Facts about
Arvidsjaur &
Arjeplog
Anna-Lisa’s Souvenir Shop, Arvidsjaur.
Arvidsjaur and Arjeplog are located in the
heart of Lapland, 1,000 kilometres north of
Stockholm and 100 kilometres south of the
Arctic Circle.
There are 6,600 inhabitants living in the municipality
of Arvidsjaur, of which 4,600 live in urban areas. The
municipality of Arjeplog is an hour’s journey to the
northwest. It has 3,100 residents, with 2,200 living
in the main town. Its surface area is just over 18,000
square kilometres.
The Sami’s have been here for thousands of years.
The Swedes colonized the region late – it wasn’t until
1757 that the first permanent settlers arrived. Growth
was slow at first. The early settlers made their living
from hunting, fishing, and farming. Forestry later became the dominant source of income. Moving into
the modern computer age went quickly.
The private and public service sectors, along with
forest management and tourism, dominate today’s
economy. The region is also a leading global centre for testing and training in sub arctic conditions.
Many international vehicle and component manufacturers test their products here.
A district in transition with many international
contacts and rapid technology development are some
of the characteristics distinguishing the region today.
Lappstaden Village in Arvidsjaur.
There is a wide range of shops in
Arvidsjaur.
The car testing industry leaves its
impression on Arjeplog in the winter.
Arjeplog’s winter market is View of Arjeplog from
held in March. Hotel Silverhatten.
Silver Museum in Arjeplog.
View of Arvidsjaur from Mount Lillberget.
Road connections
© Lantmäteriverket Gävle 2005/M2005/4424.
Route 45 (the Inland Road) meets Route 95 (the Silver Road) in Arvidsjaur.
Several connections to other communities and towns in the area also meet
here. Arjeplog lies near the big lakes at
the foot of the Scandinavian mountain
chain. The Silver Road, which connects
Sweden and Norway, passes through
here.
We’ll help
you feel good
An increasing number of domestic
and international tourists are
discovering winter in Arvidsjaur
and Arjeplog thanks to the excellent direct flight connections to the
Arvidsjaur Airport.
Activities
Here you can experience many exciting
winter activities such as snowmobile safaris, cross-country skiing, dog sledding,
downhill skiing, snow golf, ice skating,
driving on ice, ice fishing, airplane tours,
snowshoeing, and more. Many guests arrange their visits around one of the annual
traditional winter markets.
After a full day of activities, it’s nice to relax
in the pub, or why not visit a spa? A sauna
or a dip in the pool or hot tub isn’t such a
bad idea either. After a good dinner, you
might want to take a kick-sled tour under
the stars or maybe take a turn on the dance
floor in the disco.
Snow is a big adventure for kids as
well as adults. There are many snow
playgrounds.
Many companies and organizations have their conferences or ”kick-off ’s” here. Rest assured that you’ll
receive genuine and personal treatment.
Conferences
Turn your conference into a pleasant adventure full
of unique experiences. For example, you could be
a test driver for a day. Drive everything from fourwheelers, cross-karts, and go-karts to Porsches under professional and experienced guidance.
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Relax at the pool after the day’s adventures.
Ski resorts
Vittjåkk
Vittjåkk is a family-friendly
mountain located 8 kilometres
west of Arvidsjaur.
There are three ski lifts, caravan camping
sites, a restaurant, ski rental, cross-country
ski trails, fishing, snowmobile trails, and a
children’s playground. There are also wind
and rest shelters.
The season runs from February through
late April.
Many families dig a hole in the snow
and enjoy the sunshine. The crosscountry ski trails are up to 15 kilometres
long.
Prästberget
Prästberget, located just one kilometre from central Arvidsjaur, is a
facility for more skilled skiers.
This resort has a snow cannon, lighting, a
rest cabin, and red and black pistes.
The slopes are also used for competitions.
Prästberget by night. The season usually
begins in early December.
Jäckvik Fjällcenter
Jäckvik is located 60 kilometres
west of Arjeplog at the foot of the
mountains.
The slope has Sweden’s longest ski tow lift
and is well suited to mountain lovers and
families. The lift is a very good way to start
your ski tour in Pelikaise National Park.
Accommodations, a restaurant and pub,
ski rental, and caravan camping sites are
directly adjacent to the lift.
The Jäckvik lift with Pelikaise National
Park in the background. The beautiful
Laisdalen Valley with its many holiday
villages is located on the other side.
The season runs into May.
Galtispouda
Galtispouda is the complete slope
for beginners as well as more experienced skiers.
Here you will find two main lifts, a
children’s lift, and many descents. There
is also a restaurant, ski rental, and caravan
sites. Snowmobile trails and fishing are
also available nearby. The season runs from
December to April.
Galtispouda is located 11 kilometres
north of Arjeplog. The view from the
top is fantastic. From here you can see
Hornavan, Sweden’s deepest lake at 226
metres.
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Spring
in the mountains
Stretching out on a reindeer skin with a jig-fishing
rod in your hand and the sun in your face is hard to
describe – it has to be experienced.
In the mountain areas of Arjeplog lies one of Sweden’s most unbroken wilderness areas where snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting are
a lifestyle. There is an almost total feeling of freedom. There are over
8,000 lakes and many small, personal tourist facilities and overnight
cabins.
The mountains will fill you with the joy of discovery. Come and
enjoy the experience!
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Summer in the lan
Wake up early in the morning. The sun warms you while you
go down to the water. Maybe you’ll see some reindeer on the
other side, or an early-rising elk. Tranquillity washes over
you. You’ll be close to nature in Lapland.
Bears are common, as are elk and game birds such as wood grouse, black
grouse, and ptarmigan. You could also run across wolverines, beaver, lynx,
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nd of the midnight sun
eagles, and owls if you’re lucky. You’ve been sitting here for a long time now.
The water in the sooty coffee pot sputters as it boils over. You take your bag of
coffee, pour in a good measure, and put the pot back on the fire. In Lapland,
fire is a lifestyle.
The sun shines almost around the clock and it’s easy to mix up day and night.
It’s hard to go to bed when nature and its inhabitants are running at full
speed. Besides, the fish often bite better at night during the summer.
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Arjeplog – lan
There’s a lot to discover here. An
In Arjeplog, you’ll find a natural realm that few
other places can match. To protect this valuable
resource, there are 13 nature preserves in addition to
Pieljekaise National Park.
One of these is Delliknäs Nature Preserve, where the tall spruce
instil an almost magical atmosphere. You can also get a feel for
times gone by at the Delliknäs settlement where the buildings are
more than 100 years old and tell of the culture and history of the
settlers. In the Municipality of Arjeplog, the vegetation consists
mainly of mountain flora. Several protected species can be found
here. One of Sweden’s most pristine areas of alpine nature is found
in Pieljekaise National Park. The park was established in 1909
to preserve its beautiful mountain birch forest. It is sometimes
called the forgotten national park because of its small number of
visitors compared to other parks. The famous Kungsleden Trail
goes through the park, just one of several pleasant hiking trails in
the municipality. The softly rolling mountains have trails that are
easy to moderately difficult.
The three rivers running through the area offer great canoeing
and fishing for the exclusive salmon trout, char, and grayling.
The source of the Piteälven River is found in Sweden’s largest
glacier, Sulitelma. Stones and cliffs, contrasting beautifully with
the untamed white water, characterize the river valley. You are
far from civilization here, which increases your chances of seeing
shy wolverines, bears, or other rare animals. In the valley of
the unregulated Laisälven River there are historical remains of
silver mining in Nasafjäll that took place on and off from 1634
to 1810.
For those interested in botany, we recommend a visit to
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nd of adventure
And there’s no risk of overcrowding.
Merkforsen Nature Preserve with its unusually rich flora and a
beautiful waterfall. Hornavan, which is Sweden’s deepest inland
lake at 226 metres, can be found in the Skellefteälven River’s large
lake system. Hornavan stretches for 70 kilometres from Arjeplog
to Jäckvik and holds about 400 islands. The Silver Road runs along
the Skellefteälven river valley and was inaugurated in 1975. This
made it simple to travel straight through our beautiful mountains
and into Norway. The Arctic Circle is one of many places along
the way that is well worth stopping at for a break or just to admire
the dizzying view.
If you are visiting Arjeplog, we recommend a trip to Mount
Galtispouda to take in the view. There are fantastic views of the
big lakes and the mountains. On a clear day you can see all the
way to the Norwegian mountains and to Sarek National Park
in the Municipality of Jokkmokk. The remains of pit traps and
cooking hearths from the Stone Age can been seen at Rackträsk
and Rapatjärn. Rapatjärn also has a unique sand ridge system,
one of Sweden’s longest boulder ridges, which is a popular
recreational area. Even in central Arjeplog nature is just around
the corner. The Vaukaströmmen roving area offers a beautiful
nature trail suitable for the disabled that takes you over flowing
water with good fishing. There are rest areas and barbecue pits
adapted for wheelchairs.
Summer in Arjeplog isn’t just mountain hiking and fishing.
There’s always something to do in the land of the midnight sun.
How about a helicopter tour of the mountains, four-wheeling on
a forest track or canoeing a turbulent river or still lake? Watching
the Lapps brand their calves early in the summer is a chance to
experience something beyond the ordinary.
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Our cultural heritage
Arjeplog
Even though we are few, we have
a long and vivid history. Did you
know that there were people living
in Arjeplog 10,000 years ago?
The traces these people and the generations
that followed left behind make Arjeplog
an interesting place for those interested
in culture. The Silver Museum, which
was founded by Lapland physician Einar
Wallqvist, is located in the town of Arjeplog.
The museum, known mainly for its unique
collection of Sami silver, lives up to its motto
to never “stand still”. The exhibits are always
changing and the museum is also very
active in the area of archaeological research.
During the summer months there are
guided tours of Wallqvist’s beautiful and
very personal home. Sofia Magdalena,
Arjeplog’s lovely pink church, was founded
in 1641 in conjunction with the first winter
market. The tradition lives on to this day,
with the winter market being celebrated
annually over a weekend in mid-March.
During the summer, the small, splendid
chapels around the municipality are open
for the Chapel Festival.
Majorsgården, which was used during
the silver mining era in Nasafjäll, is located
in Adolfström in the Laisdalen Valley and is
one of Arjeplog’s oldest buildings. Guided
tours are given during the summer, and for
those who want to know more about the
Nasafjäll epoch there is also a show house
you can visit. Lapland preacher Lars Levi
Lestadius was born and raised in Jäckvik
where a memorial has been raised in his
memory. Sami culture is presented at the
Silver Museum, but also in other ways
around the region. There are opportunities
to visit a Sami family, meet reindeer, and
hear tales about Sami life, then and now.
Arvidsjaur
There is a special kind of culture in Lapland.
Progression from the old hunter-gatherer
societies to the modern computer age has
occurred in a very short period of time.
The dialects spoken in the countryside are
barely understandable to a person from
southern Sweden.
The famous Lappstaden Village is
located in central Arvidsjaur. Lappstaden
is part of Arvidsjaur’s oldest settlement and
consists of over 80 cone-shaped buildings
and storehouses built on pillars. The
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nomadic forest Samis used these during
markets and church holidays. It is one of
the largest preserved Sami church towns.
There is an annual festival held here during
the last weekend in August with activities
that include lasso-throwing competitions.
Guided tours for individuals and groups are
available during the summer.
Arvidsjaur Church is a beautiful wood
church from 1902 with Old Norse features
and a neo-Gothic style. Musical performances are given here during the summer.
Arvidsjaur’s local history museum, Gamla
Prästgården (the Old Vicarage), displays
the local settler culture from the turn of the
last century and also has a café and souvenir
shop.
Hängengården in Glommersträsk is
one of Lapland’s most interesting local
history museums. Here you will find large
collections of implements from the early
colonisation of Lapland. Guided tours and
documentary film showings for groups on
the strenuous life of the local settlers are
also available.
There is a snowmobile museum with
many rarities in the village of Strömnäs.
North of the village of Moskosel, the
last sections of the 1000 kilometre long
Inland Railway line were joined in 1936.
Take a look at the railway workers’ heroic
achievement in the intimate Rallar Museum
located in the Moskosel train station.
Arvidsjaur – activities for all the family
During the summer, Arvidsjaur is a
junction for many guests travelling
on the Inland Railway, the Inland
Road, or the Silver Road.
Many also choose to spend their entire
vacation here, making day trips to different
attractions and activities in the surrounding
area. No matter how long you stay, there are
many exciting activities to try.
In Arvidsjaur, a steam train still rolls on
the Inland Railway. Stop at Lake Storavan
to swim and grill hot dogs – a pleasant
atmosphere for the entire family. The
restaurant car is also a welcome feature.
Try riding a rail trolley. Pedal right out into
the wilderness and vacation at your own
pace. Or maybe you’d rather go along on a
nocturnal boat ride and watch beavers at
work – an animal many talk about, but few
have seen. You can even fish during the tour.
Other guided excursions to choose from are
white-water rafting, fishing, hiking, and
canoeing.
Do you play golf? Arvidsjaur’s nine-hole
course is beautifully situated on Larstjärn
Lake on the outskirts of town. Or why not be
a rally driver for a day? Drive go-karts and
cross-karts in Orrkammen. Centrumbadet
is a family water park with both outdoor
and indoor pools, water slides, waterfall,
and whirlpool.
together. One of them is Tjärnheden outside
the village of Abborrträsk.
There is a great view of Arvidsjaur from
Mount Lillberget. It also has a lookout tower
and a barbecue hut. There’s a road all the way
up that can even accommodate busses. Just
south of Arvidsjaur is Vittjåkk-Akkanålke
Preserve. Here you will find fishing, along
with hiking and ski trails. You can also drive
to the top of Akkanålkefjället and enjoy the
fantastic view.
To the northwest lies Reivo Preserve. This
is Sweden’s largest forest preserve below
the cultivation line. Fishing and hiking
trails are also available. Nearby is Strömnäs
Snowmobile Museum – a gem located in a
small, picturesque Lapland village.
The Piteälven River and the famous
Trollforsarna Rapids are an hour’s ride
north. Exciting suspension bridges lead you
over the river.
In addition, there are many small
natural gems such as the view from Mount
Jan-Svensamössan, Lamburträsket Bird
Preserve, waterways for canoeing, and
various local hiking trails. We can provide
you with additional information and maps.
Northern Lapland is where the great inland
glacier stopped moving thousands of years
ago. The last remains melted here. This
resulted in several “kettle moraine” areas
with hundreds of small lakes packed tightly
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Trollforsarna Rapids, Piteälven River.
Summer fishing
With its 8,727 lakes and 3,700 kilometres of flowing
water, Arjeplog is the most water-rich municipality in
Sweden. There are an abundance of fishing waters and
many jewels are as yet undiscovered by sport anglers.
The many salmon trout and char waters in the mountains of Arjeplog are well known among sport anglers in Sweden and abroad,
but don’t forget that the forest lakes and waterways many times
have very high quality salmon trout, perch, pike, and grayling.
Arjeplog’s three rivers – Piteälven, Skellefteälven, and Laisälven
– offer challenges and leave a lasting impression on anglers, even
in populated areas. Hornavan, which is part of the Skellefteälven
River and is Sweden’s deepest inland lake, has become a popular
trolling site for visitors from near and far.
The Municipality of Arvidsjaur has 4,000 lakes, ponds, and
waterways within its borders. A very large number of these require
a Sveaskog fishing permit. There are also more than 30 fishery
conservation associations, fishery conservation areas, and clubs.
The most frequented waters are the Byskeälven River, Sveaskog’s
stocked lakes with boat and cabin rental, the Piteälven River, and
Nyborgstjärnen Pond in central Arvidsjaur. If you’re interested in
fishing, order a detailed fishing brochure from us.
Using cowbells and fishing with streamers are effective when
fishing from a boat. Plastic floats and fly-casting are other common local fishing methods in flowing water. Otherwise, ordinary
methods such as fly reels, spinning rods, and poles are used. When
the weather is calm you can venture out on the larger bodies of
water, and smaller ones if it’s windy. Night fishing is often most
productive during the summer. You can always hire one of the
area’s knowledgeable local fishing guides.
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Mountain fishing in Arjeplog in June.
Salmon caught in Byskeälven River.
Autumn hunting
Arjeplog is just as attractive to small game hunters as
it is to fishermen, both in the autumn and winter.
You’ll never feel crowded by other hunters in the vast expanses.
Several holiday villages are located in mountain areas where there
is an abundance of ptarmigan and other game birds. There are
several helicopter companies that can take you to remote hunting
grounds. Many facilities also offer special packages with air travel, accommodations, and a hunting guide. Your experience will
be greatly enhanced in the company of one of our experienced
hunting and fishing guides.
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Excursions in Arctic Scandinavia
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The Jokkmokk Market takes place in early February with
more than 40,000 visitors annually. You will also find Ájtte
– The Swedish Mountain and Lapp Museum and many
interesting handicraftsmen in Jokkmokk.
At Pite Havsbad you can go on an icebreaker safari in the
Gulf of Bothnia – an exciting adventure and a lasting
memory.
Visit the underground mine in Gällivare for a unique
opportunity to see an iron ore mine in full production.
The open pit mine at Aitik is also impressive with its giant
machinery.
The Nasaleden Trail, a 400-kilometre long historic snowmobile
trail, extends from Piteå on the coast to the old silver mine in
Nasafjäll at the Norwegian border.
The fantastic Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi near Kiruna is well
known for its artworks.
Visit Saltstraumen, the world’s largest tidal current, located
across the border near Bodö in Norway.
Arvidsjaur and Arjeplog are good bases for area outings.
Near Norsjö you’ll find the world’s longest cableway and
the Svansele Wilderness Centre, whose fantastic nature
exhibits will truly amaze you.
The impressive Storforsen, Europe’s largest rapids, are located
west of Älvsbyn.
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Arvidsjaur is the gateway to Lapland thanks
to the excellent direct flight connections to the
Arvidsjaur Airport from Stockholm and
several other European cities.
The reason for this is the substantial amount of international traffic during the winter.
Along with Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur is the world’s leading
winter testing grounds for vehicles and their components.
Where else can you better enjoy the wonderful
springtime sun than in the
heart of Lapland?
More and more international tour operators offer package tours to the area.
You can also reach
Arvidsjaur and Arjeplog
by train.
By train
Take the night train from Stockholm and arrive
on the transfer bus from Jörn the next day.
During the summer you can take the Inland
Railway, which passes through Arvidsjaur. The
Inland Railway line also offers complete package
tours.
After you arrive you can continue your journey
by rental car, bus, helicopter, dog sled, snowmobile, or perhaps on foot right out into the
adventure that’s just waiting for you. Welcome!
www.polcirkeln.nu
+46 771-66 44 33
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Layout: Peter Manner. Photos: Nick Williams, Martin Becker, Kent Norberg, Bertil Sundkvist, Johan Fjellström, Frank Stiefel, Göran Pettersson, Kjell Johansson, Adam Larsson, Jan Thorfve, Håkan Hjort, Anders Gustavsson, Joakim Lagerkrantz, Peter Grant, Espen Mortensen, Ulf B Johansson, Rolf Sundberg, Johannes Holmlund, Christer Holmberg, Ove Källström, Peter Manner m.fl. Konstnär: Eva Stina Sandling. Translation: Tranflex AB. Maps: PR Rit och Reklam. Print: GTC Print AB, Luleå 2008.
Gateway to
Swedish Lapland