Why is Swedish Lapland Special
08/10/22 14:46 Filed in: Helpful information
Nature Luleå
The northern region of Sweden has a very small human population with vast tracks of forest and mountain areas. With are wild rivers, Europes largest rapids, amazing scenery and much more. The oldest and largest national parks in Sweden are to be found in the northern county which is also known internationally as Swedish Lapland. Eight of Sweden's twenty-six national parks are here. With the exception of Muddus and the Haparanda archipelago, the national parks in the province are in the mountain region. Together they cover over 6000 km², which means that the national parks count for 95% of the area dedicated to national parks in Sweden.
Artic Circle
66°33'39" north is the circle of latitude which is the southern point of the polar day. 24 hour sunlight days in summer (known as the midnight sun). Winter brings long hours of twilight and the chance to see the northern lights. When Galileo Galilei gave the northern lights their Latin name he named it after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god Borea, the unruly North Wind. A wonderful name.
The northern lights, or rather: the polar light, is a phenomenon experienced near the earths magnetic poles. Particles, mostly electrons, move inside the Earth’s magnetosphere and then crash into its atmosphere. Different colours signify particles colliding with other components of the atmosphere at different distances from the Earth’s surface.
Sami Culture
The Sami people are one of the indigenous people of northern Europe, inhabiting what swedes once called Lapland, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
What is Sápmi?
Sápmi is the Sámi name for the region where the Sámi people have their land.
Sápmi spans across four countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula, on the Russian side. In Sweden, Sápmi covers the northern half of the country.
Sápmi is a nation without national borders, but within the area there is a common language, history and culture. The reindeer is intertwined with people and nature, and the roots of Sámi culture go back very far in time.
The word Sápmi is taken from the Sámi language, with the same origin as the word Sámi itself. You could say that Sápmi means Sámi land as well as Sámi people.
The question ’What is Sápmi?’ is multi-dimensional. Due to the general lack of knowledge about it, there are many things that need explaining to place it in a context that can be easily understood. It’s almost impossible to answer the question ’What is Sápmi?’ in just a few sentences.
Sápmi is the land and the people, the nature and the reindeer, the animals and the light. The midnight sun and the northern lights. The heat from the fire on a sparkling winter’s day and the coolness of a moun- tain stream after a long day’s hike. Sápmi is the food and the produce. But also human rights and Sámi names. Duodji (handicraft), fishing, and Sámi tourism. The flag and the Sámi colours. The wanderlust and respect for all we see around us. Young and old. And everything in between.
Unique Experiences
On many peoples list of wonderful things should be: A night at the Ice Hotel or Treehotel, Dog Sledding across a frozen tundra, Fly fishing for salmon a days hike from anywhere. All these and many others are waiting for you in Swedish Lapland.
Wildlife
A wide range of exotic wildlife including reindeer, moose, bear, wolf, wolverine and lynx on land. Salmon, Pike, Trout in the waters and many species of arctic bird.
Snow and Ice
Winters in Swedish Lapland are long, dry and cold and this makes for some excellent conditions for activities such as snow mobiles and cross country skiing, dog sledding and ice fishing. You might even try driving a car across a frozen river or lake.
Summer
A beautiful time in Swedish Lapland with long warm days where the range of activities are almost endless. Hiking, picking berries, swimming, fishing, boating, camping, hunting are but to name a few.
Every mans right "Allemansrätt"
The Swedish right to roam, or everyman's right is public's right to access certain public or privately owned land for recreation. The Swedish right to roam comes with an equal emphasis being placed upon the responsibility to look after the countryside; the maxim is "Do not disturb, do not destroy". Allemansrätt gives a person the right to access, walk, cycle, ride, ski, and camp on any land - with the exception of private gardens, the immediate vicinity of a dwelling house and land under cultivation, and with restrictions for nature reserves and other protected areas. It also gives the right to pick wildflowers, mushrooms and berries provided one knows they are not legally protected. You will however often need a local licence for fishing.
The northern region of Sweden has a very small human population with vast tracks of forest and mountain areas. With are wild rivers, Europes largest rapids, amazing scenery and much more. The oldest and largest national parks in Sweden are to be found in the northern county which is also known internationally as Swedish Lapland. Eight of Sweden's twenty-six national parks are here. With the exception of Muddus and the Haparanda archipelago, the national parks in the province are in the mountain region. Together they cover over 6000 km², which means that the national parks count for 95% of the area dedicated to national parks in Sweden.
Artic Circle
66°33'39" north is the circle of latitude which is the southern point of the polar day. 24 hour sunlight days in summer (known as the midnight sun). Winter brings long hours of twilight and the chance to see the northern lights. When Galileo Galilei gave the northern lights their Latin name he named it after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god Borea, the unruly North Wind. A wonderful name.
The northern lights, or rather: the polar light, is a phenomenon experienced near the earths magnetic poles. Particles, mostly electrons, move inside the Earth’s magnetosphere and then crash into its atmosphere. Different colours signify particles colliding with other components of the atmosphere at different distances from the Earth’s surface.
Sami Culture
The Sami people are one of the indigenous people of northern Europe, inhabiting what swedes once called Lapland, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
What is Sápmi?
Sápmi is the Sámi name for the region where the Sámi people have their land.
Sápmi spans across four countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula, on the Russian side. In Sweden, Sápmi covers the northern half of the country.
Sápmi is a nation without national borders, but within the area there is a common language, history and culture. The reindeer is intertwined with people and nature, and the roots of Sámi culture go back very far in time.
The word Sápmi is taken from the Sámi language, with the same origin as the word Sámi itself. You could say that Sápmi means Sámi land as well as Sámi people.
The question ’What is Sápmi?’ is multi-dimensional. Due to the general lack of knowledge about it, there are many things that need explaining to place it in a context that can be easily understood. It’s almost impossible to answer the question ’What is Sápmi?’ in just a few sentences.
Sápmi is the land and the people, the nature and the reindeer, the animals and the light. The midnight sun and the northern lights. The heat from the fire on a sparkling winter’s day and the coolness of a moun- tain stream after a long day’s hike. Sápmi is the food and the produce. But also human rights and Sámi names. Duodji (handicraft), fishing, and Sámi tourism. The flag and the Sámi colours. The wanderlust and respect for all we see around us. Young and old. And everything in between.
Unique Experiences
On many peoples list of wonderful things should be: A night at the Ice Hotel or Treehotel, Dog Sledding across a frozen tundra, Fly fishing for salmon a days hike from anywhere. All these and many others are waiting for you in Swedish Lapland.
Wildlife
A wide range of exotic wildlife including reindeer, moose, bear, wolf, wolverine and lynx on land. Salmon, Pike, Trout in the waters and many species of arctic bird.
Snow and Ice
Winters in Swedish Lapland are long, dry and cold and this makes for some excellent conditions for activities such as snow mobiles and cross country skiing, dog sledding and ice fishing. You might even try driving a car across a frozen river or lake.
Summer
A beautiful time in Swedish Lapland with long warm days where the range of activities are almost endless. Hiking, picking berries, swimming, fishing, boating, camping, hunting are but to name a few.
Every mans right "Allemansrätt"
The Swedish right to roam, or everyman's right is public's right to access certain public or privately owned land for recreation. The Swedish right to roam comes with an equal emphasis being placed upon the responsibility to look after the countryside; the maxim is "Do not disturb, do not destroy". Allemansrätt gives a person the right to access, walk, cycle, ride, ski, and camp on any land - with the exception of private gardens, the immediate vicinity of a dwelling house and land under cultivation, and with restrictions for nature reserves and other protected areas. It also gives the right to pick wildflowers, mushrooms and berries provided one knows they are not legally protected. You will however often need a local licence for fishing.
Top places to eat out in Lulea
08/10/22 11:59 Filed in: Helpful information
Luleå boasts a wide range of great places to grab a snack or enjoy hours of fine dining.
These are our favourites:
Brändön Lodge - Brändön
CJ's - Luleå
Hemmagastronomi - Luleå
Pastabacken - Luleå
SushiBar & Råvara - Luleå
Karl August - Luleå
Arctic Retreat - Översbyn, Råne River Valley
Treehotel - Harads
Arctic Bath - Harads
Enjoy a delicious meal of local ingredients or take away something quick. Whether you are looking for local delicacies, a taste sensation or a healthy meal on run – Luleå has it all.
Some local delicacies to look out for:
Moose
Reindeer
Polar Kaka (local bread)
Gáhkku, Sami flat bread
Läx (Salmon)
Arctic Char
Palt (Potato dumplings)
Lingon Berries
Janssons suprise (Potato and sardine dish)
Kalix Caviar
Cloud berries
Of course the famous Swedish meat balls
Pickled Herring
These are our favourites:
Brändön Lodge - Brändön
CJ's - Luleå
Hemmagastronomi - Luleå
Pastabacken - Luleå
SushiBar & Råvara - Luleå
Karl August - Luleå
Arctic Retreat - Översbyn, Råne River Valley
Treehotel - Harads
Arctic Bath - Harads
Enjoy a delicious meal of local ingredients or take away something quick. Whether you are looking for local delicacies, a taste sensation or a healthy meal on run – Luleå has it all.
Some local delicacies to look out for:
Moose
Reindeer
Polar Kaka (local bread)
Gáhkku, Sami flat bread
Läx (Salmon)
Arctic Char
Palt (Potato dumplings)
Lingon Berries
Janssons suprise (Potato and sardine dish)
Kalix Caviar
Cloud berries
Of course the famous Swedish meat balls
Pickled Herring
Dogsledding Guide for Luleå
07/10/22 10:42 Filed in: Helpful information
A sense of freedom will overcome you as you hear the soft pad of paws on the snow and the sound of the sled running across the frozen path.
Brace yourself as you navigate the trail through the winter scenery and feel the exhilaration of one of our fantastic dog sledding tours in Luleå.
A dogsledding tour in Swedish Lapland is a unique experience. Not only will you fall in love with the dogs and their love of running but also the meeting with kennel owners. Running a dogsledding kennel is a passion and a way of life and the mushers will amaze you with their work with the dogs and how they treat them like members of the family.
The beauty of huskies is their love of cold weather and deep snow. They are from the arctic and they love this climate and all that entails. Winter is their happy time of year. You will also be amazed by their strength and their willingness to pull the sled at a brisk pace in the snowy landscape. The crisp climate and stunning surroundings will give you a thrill never to be forgotten.
On our dogsled tours, you will likely experience frozen lakes and rivers as well as snow-laden forests. On the way, we might even see wildlife such as reindeer or moose or one of our many varieties of forest birds.
Together with your highly skilled guide and well-trained friendly Alaskan Husky dogs you will enjoy a high-quality and unforgettable nature experience!
No matter which activity you choose, you will have a wonderful experience exploring the nature of Luleå by dog sled.
Dogsledding Activity options in Luleå
Dogsled tour - sit on the sled
On a dogsled tour where you sit on the sled, and have a guide/musher driving, you can sit back and relax and watch our beautiful winter nature pass you by. Normally you will sit with 2, 3, or 4 other people on the dogsled with the guide/musher standing behind you driving.
This type of dog sled experience is recommended for people who want to experience nature and dogsledding in comfort and want to relax without too much physical effort. You will need to hang on though as your guide chats while the sled races through the winter forest.
Dogsled tour - drive your own
Our most popular adventure – driving a team of enthusiastic and friendly dogs through the snow-blanketed forest. There will, of course, be a safety briefing and instructions. On the self drive tour you will sit two people on a sled, and at regular stops, you will have the option to change places and thus take turns driving.
On the trail the dogsled guide will lead you with their sled and dog team. During regular stops will tell stories and give you great insights into our winter nature.
Dogsled Northern Lights tour
A wonderful combination of our two favorite past times, dogsledding and looking for the northern lights. Our headlamps will light the way as you drive your team of huskies. Follow the guides sled-team, through the night along clear trails. You will be two people per sled, one sitting and northern lights spotting and one standing and driving. At regular stops, you will have the opportunity to change places.
Half-day dog-sled tours
Some of our partners offer longer half-day and even overnight dogsledding tours. We recommend you contact us directly regarding these so that we can help you prepare an itinerary that will enable you to experience a great deal more of the beautiful nature of Luleå and Swedish Lapland.
Brace yourself as you navigate the trail through the winter scenery and feel the exhilaration of one of our fantastic dog sledding tours in Luleå.
A dogsledding tour in Swedish Lapland is a unique experience. Not only will you fall in love with the dogs and their love of running but also the meeting with kennel owners. Running a dogsledding kennel is a passion and a way of life and the mushers will amaze you with their work with the dogs and how they treat them like members of the family.
The beauty of huskies is their love of cold weather and deep snow. They are from the arctic and they love this climate and all that entails. Winter is their happy time of year. You will also be amazed by their strength and their willingness to pull the sled at a brisk pace in the snowy landscape. The crisp climate and stunning surroundings will give you a thrill never to be forgotten.
On our dogsled tours, you will likely experience frozen lakes and rivers as well as snow-laden forests. On the way, we might even see wildlife such as reindeer or moose or one of our many varieties of forest birds.
Together with your highly skilled guide and well-trained friendly Alaskan Husky dogs you will enjoy a high-quality and unforgettable nature experience!
No matter which activity you choose, you will have a wonderful experience exploring the nature of Luleå by dog sled.
Dogsledding Activity options in Luleå
Dogsled tour - sit on the sled
On a dogsled tour where you sit on the sled, and have a guide/musher driving, you can sit back and relax and watch our beautiful winter nature pass you by. Normally you will sit with 2, 3, or 4 other people on the dogsled with the guide/musher standing behind you driving.
This type of dog sled experience is recommended for people who want to experience nature and dogsledding in comfort and want to relax without too much physical effort. You will need to hang on though as your guide chats while the sled races through the winter forest.
Dogsled tour - drive your own
Our most popular adventure – driving a team of enthusiastic and friendly dogs through the snow-blanketed forest. There will, of course, be a safety briefing and instructions. On the self drive tour you will sit two people on a sled, and at regular stops, you will have the option to change places and thus take turns driving.
On the trail the dogsled guide will lead you with their sled and dog team. During regular stops will tell stories and give you great insights into our winter nature.
Dogsled Northern Lights tour
A wonderful combination of our two favorite past times, dogsledding and looking for the northern lights. Our headlamps will light the way as you drive your team of huskies. Follow the guides sled-team, through the night along clear trails. You will be two people per sled, one sitting and northern lights spotting and one standing and driving. At regular stops, you will have the opportunity to change places.
Half-day dog-sled tours
Some of our partners offer longer half-day and even overnight dogsledding tours. We recommend you contact us directly regarding these so that we can help you prepare an itinerary that will enable you to experience a great deal more of the beautiful nature of Luleå and Swedish Lapland.