Discover Arjeplog: Culture and Landscape

In Arjeplog, Sámi cultural history, places by the water and viewpoints come together. The Silver Museum is in the centre, at the market square, next to National Road 95, also known as Silvervägen. The various exhibitions and landscape destinations offer different focuses for your trip: from Sámi silver and everyday history to trails and cross-country ski tracks.

Sámi Culture and Local History

The Silversalen exhibition at the Silver Museum comprises nearly 700 individual objects and presents the largest collection of Sámi silver of its kind. The pieces date from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Mujttalus offers a different focus: the exhibition presents Sámi life on holidays and in everyday life. It shows everyday objects used or formerly used by Sámi in Arjeplog. Silversalen thus focuses on Sámi silver over a long historical period, while Mujttalus looks at everyday life and festive occasions.

Doktorsgården is also part of the local museum history: the house was the residence of Dr Einar Wallquist, founder of the Silver Museum. The present-day Sofia-Magdalena Church was built as a wooden cruciform church in the 1760s. It stands on a peninsula in Hornavan, next to the market square. The church building’s construction period, design and location each give it a distinct historical and geographical connection.

Islands and Traces by the Water

Skeppsholmen is a small island right next to Arjeplog. A bridge near the harbour connects it to the mainland. The island has Sámi buildings such as a njalla and a lavvu, as well as the remains of a reindeer enclosure. The Edible Country offers a different experience: visitors can gather ingredients in nature and, following instructions, prepare them outdoors over an open fire. The focus is on gathering and preparing the food yourself rather than on an exhibition.

Åsarna is also defined by its location by the water: the narrow peninsula extends into Hornavan. For those interested in the landscape around Arjeplog, it offers further variety in the form of a different shoreline, alongside the islands and peninsula.

Viewpoints and Trails

Öberget is a viewpoint mountain in the centre of Arjeplog; its Lule Sámi name is Suolovárre. It reaches 553 metres above sea level and lies on a large island between the lakes Hornavan and Uddjaure. Galtispuoda is an easily accessible, low 800-metre-high mountain just outside the town. From there, the view stretches across almost the entire lake. The road to the summit is open for most of the year; winter conditions may affect access. If you are planning to drive there, check the road conditions in advance.

Vaukaleden, also known as Spångarna, also runs through Arjeplog Municipality: this easily accessible two-kilometre trail is fitted with wooden boardwalks. The information refers to the municipality, not to a trail in the town centre. This means that visitors exploring the landscape have both a viewpoint in the town itself and a trail with boardwalks in the municipality.

Cross-Country Skiing and Travel Planning

The Hälsoslingan Öberget health trail is listed as a 2.5-kilometre out-and-back route and marked with a Red difficulty rating. At Djuptjärn, there are illuminated cross-country ski tracks measuring 1, 2.5, 5 and 20 kilometres. These details offer a clear comparison: a designated loop with a difficulty rating versus ski tracks in four different lengths.

Regular buses connect Arjeplog with Arvidsjaur, Luleå and Skellefteå; check the timetable before your trip. Arvidsjaur Airport is 100 kilometres from Arjeplog. The transfer by airport shuttle or rental car takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Discover more destinations: Vuoggatjalme, Slagnäs, Mellanström, Jäckvik, Laisvall, Jutis

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