Gällivare: Laponia, Dundret and Local History

The summit of Dundret is 820 metres above sea level; there, visitors can experience plants and animals of the alpine habitat. In clear weather, the Kebnekaise massif and one-eleventh of Sweden’s total area can be seen from the summit. Dundret is protected as a nature reserve and is part of the Natura 2000 network.

Nature

The Gällivare landscape encompasses mountains, forests, marshes, rivers and thousands of lakes. Dundret has hiking trails, cross-country ski trails and a snowmobile route, as well as shelters, toilets and rest huts. Alpine skiing is also one of the activities available there. The easiest and accessibility-adapted route to Toppstugan on Dundret can be used in summer with a pushchair, bicycle or wheelchair.

The E45 between Porjus and Gällivare passes through the Stubbá nature reserve, which is suitable for short day trips, skiing in the surrounding area and early-morning birdwatching. At Sandviken, swimming, beach volleyball, picnic areas, as well as barbecues and firewood, are the main attractions.

Laponia

Naturum Laponia is the gateway to four national parks, two nature reserves and nine Sámi villages. The Laponia World Heritage Site is located in the municipalities of Gällivare and Jokkmokk and offers experiences year-round. From Gällivare, Naturum Laponia can be reached by train and then by bus or car.

The Laponia Visitor Centre Jiellevárre/Gällivare presents parts of Muddus/Muttos National Park and the Sjávnja and Stubbá nature reserves. The exhibition there explains how people have lived in this region for thousands of years and how it has developed up to the present day. It also covers hunting, slaughtering reindeer and berry picking in the land of the Forest Sámi.

Culture and History

The Gällivare Cultural Museum offers guided tours of temporary and permanent exhibitions, as well as workshops for preschool, primary school and upper-secondary school students. It presents the history of the municipality, focusing on the Sámi, settlers, the mining industry and nature. Gällivare gamla kyrka, also known as Ettöreskyrkan, stands on the Vassaraälven and is Gällivare’s oldest church.

Lule Sámi and Northern Sámi are the main languages spoken in Gällivare. Large-scale industrial mining has been carried out in Malmberget for more than 100 years; as a result, large parts of the town are currently being abandoned or relocated. South of Gällivare, Boliden Aitik offers guided mine tours in cooperation with Visit Gällivare. During such a tour, visitors can see some of the largest machines in the world.

Trails through the Town

The Kulturstigen follows the Vassaraälven through central parts of Gällivare and, along the way, shares stories about Gällivare’s history, culture and social change. The Kulturstigen is 4.2 kilometres long in total; the route takes approximately 55 minutes. For people who cannot use the stairs at the viaduct or railway station, there is an accessibility-adapted section along Industrigatan, Prästgatan and Kaitumvägen.

Regional Context

The regional context also includes the places Puoltikasvaara, Skaulo, Malmberget, Ritsem, Koskullskulle, Nattavaara and Gällivare.

Cuisine and Travel

The cuisine in Gällivare reflects three cultures that once converged there. It uses ingredients from lakes, rivers, forests and the mountains. Those travelling to Gällivare by car can use the E10 or E45. Gällivare has daily flights to Stockholm Arlanda Airport.

To the higher-level travel overview: Norrbotten.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Roknäs.