Lapland
The enormous expanse of Lapland, one of Europe’s last wildernesses, covers a quarter of the area of Sweden but has only 5 per cent of the population. It is both inviting and inhospitable: fell-walkers who leave the marked routes do so at their own risk. The best-known route is Kungsleden, which also gives experienced mountaineers the chance to climb Sweden’s highest peak, Kebnekaise. Other favourite 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 experiences rapid changes in the weather.
Jämtland, bordering southern Lapland, has plenty of good hiking and fast-flowing rivers for fishermen. It is known for its skiing. Wildlife is abundant in Härjedalen, with reindeer, buzzard, beaver, lynx and Sweden’s only herd of musk ox.
The small northern village of Jukkasjärvi has received international reknown for its sculpted Ice Hotel, constructed from tonnes of snow and ice from the Torne River. It is rebuilt every winter after the summer thaw but attracts a number of tourists eager to experience the ‘ice beds’ and drinks from the Absolut Icebar. For further information, check online (website: www.icehotel.com). Lapps celebrate their annual church festivals in Gällivare. In Jokkmokk there are collections of Lapp art and culture, and a Lapp Staden, an old village of 70 cone-shaped Lapp huts. Arjeplog has an interesting Lapp museum. Iron Age burial grounds and a medieval church are on the island of Frösö. The cable-car trip from Åre leads up to the summit of Åreskutan. Ski resorts include Åre and Storlien.
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