The massive expanse
of Lapland, 1 of Europe’s last wildernesses, covers
a quarter of the area of Sweden but has only 5 % of the population.
It is both welcoming and uninviting, fell walkers who leave the
marked routes do so at their own risk.
The best known route is Kungsleden, which also
gives skilled mountaineers the chance to climb Sweden’s highest
peak, Kebnekaise. Other preferred areas for walking
are the national parks of Sarek and Padjelanta.
In the west the mountains soar up towards the Norwegian border and
the region suffers rapid changes in the weather.
Jämtland, which borders southern Lapland, has plenty
of good hiking, fast flowing rivers for fishermen and is well known
for its skiing. Wildlife is plentiful in Härjedalen,
with lynx, buzzard, reindeer, beaver, and Sweden’s only herd
of musk ox.
The small northern village of Jukkasjärvi
has received international reknown for its beautiful sculpted Ice
Hotel, constructed from tonnes of snow and ice from the Torne
River. It is rebuilt every winter after the summer thaw
and attracts a number of tourists eager to experience the ice beds
and to drink from the Absolut Icebar. For further information, check
online.
Lapps celebrate their yearly church festivals in Gällivare.
In Jokkmokk there are collections of Lapp culture
and art, and a Lapp Staden, an old village of 70 cone shaped Lapp
huts.
Arjeplog has an appealing Lapp
museum, iron Age burial grounds and a medieval church are on the
island of Frösö. There is also a cable
car trip from Åre leads up to the summit of Åreskutan.
Ski resorts consist of Åre and Storlien.
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