Arvidsjaur
& Arjeplog
By the Arctic Circle
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.
Reindeer herding. Some 40 native families in the region – the Sami’s – make their living as reindeer herders. Together they have 0,000 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.
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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 mid-winter, 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.
Late winter – open your mind and enjoy
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
Late winter – open your 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 com-mon winter activities.
Facts about
Arvidsjaur &
Arjeplog
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 ,00 inhabitants living in the municipality of Arvidsjaur, of which 4,00 live in urban areas. The municipality of Arjeplog is an hour’s journey to the northwest. It has ,00 residents, with ,00 living in the main town. Its surface area is just over ,000 square kilometres.
The Sami’s have been here for thousands of years. The Swedes colonized the region late – it wasn’t until that the first permanent settlers arrived. Growth was slow at first. The early settlers made their living from hunting, fishing, and farming. Forestry later be-came 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 cen-tre for testing and training in sub arctic conditions. Many international vehicle and component manufac-turers 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. Anna-Lisa’s Souvenir Shop, 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
held in March. View of Arjeplog from Hotel Silverhatten.
Silver Museum in Arjeplog.
View of Arvidsjaur from Mount Lillberget.
Road connections
Route 4 (the Inland Road) meets Rou-te (the Silver Road) in Arvidsjaur. Several connections to other commu-nities 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.
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We’ll help
you feel good
An increasing number of domestic
and international tourists are
discovering winter in Arvidsjaur
and Arjeplog thanks to the
excel-lent direct flight connections to the
Arvidsjaur Airport.
Activities
Here you can experience many exciting winter activities such as snowmobile sa-faris, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, downhill skiing, snow golf, ice skating, driving on ice, ice fishing, airplane tours, snowshoeing, and more. Many guests ar-range 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.
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 four-wheelers, cross-karts, and go-karts to Porsches un-der professional and experienced guidance.
Many companies and organizations have their con-ferences or ”kick-off’s” here. Rest assured that you’ll receive genuine and personal treatment.
Relax at the pool after the day’s adventures. Snow is a big adventure for kids as
well as adults. There are many snow playgrounds.
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.
Prästberget
Prästberget, located just one
kilo-metre 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.
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.
Galtispouda
Galtispouda is the complete slope
for beginners as well as more
expe-rienced 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.
Many families dig a hole in the snow and enjoy the sunshine. The cross- country ski trails are up to 15 kilometres long.
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.
Prästberget by night. The season usually begins in early December.
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.
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 unbro-ken wilderness areas where snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting are a lifestyle. There is an almost total feeling of freedom. There are over ,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 land of the midnight sun
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,
Summer in the land 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.
Arjeplog – land of adventure
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 00 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 0 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 4 to 0.
For those interested in botany, we recommend a visit to
Arjeplog – land of adventure
Merkforsen Nature Preserve with its unusually rich flora and a beautiful waterfall. Hornavan, which is Sweden’s deepest inland lake at metres, can be found in the Skellefteälven River’s large lake system. Hornavan stretches for 0 kilometres from Arjeplog to Jäckvik and holds about 400 islands. The Silver Road runs along the Skellefteälven river valley and was inaugurated in . 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.
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 4 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 0 cone-shaped buildings and storehouses built on pillars. The
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 0 with Old Norse features and a neo-Gothic style. Musical perfor-mances 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 000 kilometre long Inland Railway line were joined in . 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.
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
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.
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Trollforsarna Rapids, Piteälven River.
Mountain fishing in Arjeplog in June. Salmon caught in Byskeälven 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 Arje-plog 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 0 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 com-mon 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.
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 tra-vel, accommodations, and a hunting guide. Your experience will be greatly enhanced in the company of one of our experienced hunting and fishing guides.
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.
The impressive Storforsen, Europe’s largest rapids, are located west of Älvsbyn.
Near Norsjö you’ll find the world’s longest cableway and the Svansele Wilderness Centre, whose fantastic nature exhibits will truly amaze you.
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Swedish Lapland
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 inter-national traffic during the winter.
Along with Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur is the world’s leading winter testing grounds for vehicles and their components.
More and more international tour operators offer package tours to the area. You can also reach
Arvidsjaur and Arjeplog by train. Where else can you
bet-ter enjoy the wonderful springtime sun than in the heart of Lapland?
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, snow- mobile, or perhaps on foot right out into the adventure that’s just waiting for you. Welcome!
