Haparanda: Archipelago, Struve Geodetic Arc and Border Region
The Haparanda Archipelago is Sweden’s easternmost archipelago. Its national park includes the islands of Sandskär, Selkä-Sarvi and Heikinkari, as well as several smaller islands and skerries. The archipelago features long sandy beaches, shallow sea bays, lush deciduous forests and a rich variety of flora and fauna; the national park is known for its expansive sandy beaches, diverse birdlife and clearly visible traces of land uplift.
HaparandaTornio is a cross-border twin city on the border between Sweden and Finland. European route E4 runs through the twin cities of Haparanda and Tornio. For regional orientation, Haparanda, Kukkola and Karungi can be considered separate destinations.
Nature and Landscape
Riekkola-Välivaara is characterised by various forest types and also includes several smaller lakes, wetlands and coastal meadows. Its unique location by the sea and at the mouth of the Torne River creates special conditions through the mixture of fresh and salt water. The mobile Naturkartan app provided by the Municipality of Haparanda includes information on nature reserves, bathing spots, fishing spots, hiking trails and snowmobile trails, among other things.
Trails and Waterways
During the summer season, the Seskarö Trails area offers about 60 kilometres of marked trails for hiking and mountain biking. In winter, around 50 kilometres of winter trails and ski tracks are prepared on Seskarö. Depending on the season, the approximately 15-kilometre Vuono hiking trail can be used for walking, running or skiing and passes through old hay meadows and cultural-historical remains. Seskarö Trails also includes several kilometres of kayaking routes and ten rest areas.
The Haparanda Archipelago offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and swimming. Sport anglers will find many bays and shallows to explore. Fishing with hand-held tackle, also known as recreational fishing, is free along the coast and in the Bothnian Bay archipelago; no fishing licence is required.
During the summer, excursion boats run from Cementkajen in central Haparanda to both islands of the Haparanda Archipelago. Sandskär has remains of shipwrecks and an old cemetery; cultural-historical remains tell the story of the island’s past, when the rich herring fishing already attracted people in the 16th century.
Culture and History
The Struve Geodetic Arc is a World Heritage Site consisting of a chain of survey points used from 1816 to 1855 to determine the shape and size of the Earth. Perävaara is the only Swedish World Heritage survey point on the Struve Geodetic Arc with a preserved marker. A 400-metre footpath leads from a side road to the Perävaara survey point. Information boards are located at the car park, at the start of the path and at the survey point itself.
Kulturbyn at Kukkolaforsen includes two water-powered mills: the lower mill dating from around 1840 and the upper mill from the 1850s. The Delningsboden, also known as Jakopuoti or the Bell House, was built in 1889 and is one of the more culturally and historically valuable buildings in Kukkola.
Since 2014, the Tornedalen Museum has been a joint museum for Haparanda and Tornio. At the Tornedalen Fishing Museum in Kukkolaforsen, visitors can learn more about river fishing and what lies beneath the surface of the Torne River. The museum also describes how fish is cooked, fried, salted, smoked and dried. Fishing with a long-handled landing net has been a centuries-old tradition in Kukkolaforsen; whitefish and salmon are the main catches in the Torne River.
Cityscape and Events
Haparanda has many works of public art in its streets and squares, including statues, sculptures and monuments. The municipality hosts recurring events such as Sommar i parken, with daily summer activities for children and young people in July; the New Year’s celebration Happy New Twice, which highlights the border location between Sweden and Finland; as well as BorderPride and Vinterglöd, which contribute to inclusion and a vibrant cultural life throughout the year.
To the main travel overview: Norrbotten.
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