Jokkmokk between Sámi culture and mountain nature

Ájtte in Jokkmokk is Sweden’s main museum of Sámi culture and a specialist museum for the nature and culture of the mountain region. The exhibitions focus on Sámi culture, the nature and culture of the mountain region, Sámi life and the relationship between people and nature. Ájtte also serves visitors as an important source of information about the mountain region.

Culture and history

The first church in Jokkmokk was built in 1607. Jokkmokks Gamla Kyrka was built in 1753, burned down in 1972 and rebuilt in 1976. The colour scheme inside is inspired by the Sámi kåta.

Jokkmokks Kyrka was inaugurated in 1889 and has been the parish’s main church since its inauguration. It was designed by architect Ernst Abraham Jacobsson. The monumental paintings displayed there, Uvssat Davás / Dörrarna västerut, include works by Lars Pirak, Bengt Lindström and Lars J:son Nutti. The paintings relate in different ways to life in northern Sweden.

Jokkmokks Marknad has continued as an unbroken tradition for more than 400 years. At the market, visitors can experience reindeer races, art exhibitions, snowmobile and dog-sled tours, concerts and lectures. The programme also includes seminars, exhibitions, concerts, theatre and other local events.

Nature

Fjällträdgården is a green oasis beside the rushing Kvarnbäcken. At the garden, visitors can learn a great deal about mountain nature and flora and walk along landscaped paths through the grounds.

Jarre is located in the Pärlälvens fjällurskog nature reserve and reaches 800 metres above sea level. The hiking trail on Jarre passes through various vegetation zones to alpine terrain with extensive views.

Hiking trails

There are several hiking trails on Getberget, ranging from 1.6 km to around 10 km in length. From the summit of Getberget, the view extends far across the surrounding area.

Several hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels run around Talvatis. The loop closest to the lake at Talvatis is 2.3 km long, partly equipped with wooden boardwalks and accessible for wheelchairs and prams. There are several barbecue areas in the Talvatis area.

On the Mineralstigen trail in the Talvatis recreation area, visitors can learn about minerals found in Jokkmokk Municipality. The trail runs along the eastern shore of Talvatis between the beach and the dam by the mountain botanical garden. Mineralstigen includes a stone labyrinth.

Getting there and places

The nearest railway station on the Inland Railway is Murjek. The bus journey from Murjek to Jokkmokk takes about one hour.

The selection of places for Jokkmokk includes Porjus, Jokkmokk, Randijaur, Kåbdalis and Vuollerim.

Art

Samiska Skulpturparken is located by Talvatissjön in Jokkmokk along the eastern shore. It displays a selection of artworks by Sámi artists. Visitors can walk through Samiska Skulpturparken and experience the interplay between culture and nature there.

To the higher-level travel overview: Norrbotten.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Älvsbyn, Arjeplog, Kiruna.