Jutis: Shoreline Landscape, Moose Safari and Local History

When choosing accommodation in Jutis, two main attractions can help guide your decision: the open shoreline landscape at Västra Jutis and the history of a village whose main sources of livelihood were agriculture and forestry for a long time. This makes it easy to shape your stay around nature watching, local culture or both.

Västra Jutis and Nature Watching

The shoreline area of Västra Jutis includes open grassland interspersed with mixed forest; birch and pine trees are the most prominent. There is also a small open wetland. Grassland, forest and wetland give the area several distinct natural features. For travelers who also choose their accommodation based on the landscape and their interests in nature, this is a specific local point of reference.

In addition to the shoreline landscape, the Jutis Moose Safari is a separate nature-focused activity. It starts in Jutis daily; advance booking is required. If you plan to include the tour in your itinerary, you should book it in advance. This gives you two different ways to experience nature: the vegetation at Västra Jutis and the moose safari from Jutis.

The History of a Smallholder Village

The early history includes the Sámi settler Per Eriksson, who settled in Jutis in 1775 and named the place Rioktus. A survey in 1781 recorded a kåta, a cattle shed, a barn and a pole barn in Jutis; it also described stony ground and sandy loam. The survey was carried out by Nasabolaget, which operated the state silver mine on the Norwegian border. The list of buildings and the description of the soil illustrate different aspects of the settlement at the time.

Historically, Jutis was a typical smallholder settlement; agriculture and forestry were its main sources of livelihood. From the mid-1930s onward, the village served for a long time as a local center with a post office, telegraph station and shop. Two aspects of local history complement each other: the agricultural basis of the economy and Jutis’s former role as a local hub. The waterways around Jutis were also once used to operate a mill, a smithy and a smelting works.

Village Life and Annual Events

Several annual traditions give village life its own rhythm. On Walpurgis Night, a fire is lit at Byastuga, where people barbecue and celebrate together. The Byastuga of Jutis Byaförening is a 200-square-meter meeting house, equipped with a restaurant kitchen and facilities for large groups. An annual moose festival is held at the start of the autumn moose hunt, and there is a palt dinner on Good Friday. These occasions take place at different points in the year: on Walpurgis Night, at the start of the autumn hunt and on Good Friday. If you would like to include one in your trip, check the date and participation options in advance.

The regularly published Jutis calendar also brings together nature and village life. Its nature-themed images show the surroundings of Jutis; participants are pictured naked. Proceeds from the calendar benefit the cancer fund and the local village association. Cultural life thus extends beyond community events to include a regularly published calendar featuring scenes from the surrounding area.

If you have planned a safari, remember that advance booking is required; if you are visiting around a village tradition, it is a good idea to ask about the date and how to participate.

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