A SWEDISH LAPLAND STORY

BY CAR ALONG THE TORNE RIVER

Haparanda to Riksgränsen

Are you planning a road trip in Northern Sweden? Bring a map of the route Riksgränsen–Haparanda, along the road known as Tornedalsvägen, with accommodation ideas, excursions and beaches to visit, and above all: everything along the way waiting to be discovered.

The entire route, from Haparanda in the east to Riksgränsen in the west, is 480 kilometres. The journey takes you from the estuary of the Torne River in the Haparanda archipelago to the river’s source, above lake Torneträsk. The idea is for you to travel at your own pace and on your own terms, but this gives you a starting point.

1. Haparanda–Övertorneå: 70 km

Once upon a time, Haparanda was where East met West. A nest of spies, robbers, and goulash barons. It’s been said that a fifth of the city’s inhabitants were spies and agents. Haparanda is the easternmost town in Sweden, and these days around 6,500 people live here. Everyday life is closely intertwined with Finnish Tornio, on the other side of the border. You basically only notice you’ve crossed the border if you check the time, because it moves forwards or backwards an hour depending on where you’re headed. One of the world’s largest saunas is found in Haparanda as well, a sauna located in the award-winning spa at Hotel Cape East, 10 benches high that can accommodate up to 150 people.

Around 10 kilometres upstream of Haparanda, along route 99, you’ll find Kukkolaforsen Turist och Konferens. The first big rapids along the river are here: Kukkolaforsen, known for traditional fishing. Mainly whitefish, but also salmon, are caught using long-handled dip nets from purpose-built piers. The fish is processed a stone’s throw from the river, then served in the hotel restaurant. Food doesn’t get much fresher than this. At Kukkolaforsen is also where the Sauna Academy has its seat, and the facility consists of 15 types of saunas from different eras.

Haparanda Stadshotell

The walls of this hotel, Haparanda Stadshotell, could tell you a lot of exciting stories. It also happens to be a fantastic place to stay, and to eat.

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1920 1080, Haparanda Sandskär, Lucas Nilsson
The Bothnian Archipelago. The Haparanda Archipelago National Park is the youngest national park in the Norrbotten region. The largest island is called Haparanda Sandskär, well known for its long sandy beaches and striking sand formations. It's an island with varying nature and culture. Here, as in other parts of the Bothnian Bay Archipelago, there are plenty of remnants from seal hunters and fishermen, as well as sunken vessels from the past. You get to the island by tour boat, and on Sandskär there is a harbour, cottages to rent, public bathrooms and more.
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The Torne Valley, Tornedalen, is a melting pot of different cultures and languages. Finnish, Meänkieli, Swedish and Sami exist here, side by side. Traditionally, the population on both sides of the border have been Finnish speaking, and most of the place names are still Finnish. The distinctive shape of the Torne River and the fishing have resulted in the development of distinct fishing methods. The whitefish fishing at the Kukkolaforsen rapids are a living example of this: long-handled dip nets are used that date back to the 16th century. This method only lives on here in the east of Norrbotten, and by the Amazon River in Brazil
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Torne River. The river is a magnificent 520 km in length, and one of Sweden's four national rivers. It stretches from above lake Torneträsk – which you can see from the road between Abisko and Riksgränsen – to the Bothnian Bay and Haparanda. The largest tributaries to the Torne River are the Rautas River, the Vittangi River, the Lainio River and the Muonio River, but at Junosuando more than half the amount of water is lost to the Kalix River through the bifurcation at Tärendö. There are only three bifurcations in Europe, and the one in Tärendö is one of the largest. Together with the Kalix River, the Torne River is the largest unregulated water system in Europe. The area along the river, from Kurravaara in Kiruna to Haparanda, is Tornedalen, the Torne Valley.

2. Övertorneå–Pajala: 110 km

Travelling through Tornedalen is like balm for the soul. The landscape is fertile and undulating, and in summer the sun never really sets. The world’s northernmost mustard grows in Pesula, in Övre Kukkola. Arthotel Tornedalen is located in Risudden, or Vitsaniemi, where curator Gunhild Stensmyr has created an amazing living experience: you stay in traditional houses and at all times surrounded by carefully selected art – where everything has its place, and everything has its story.

Further upstream, in Övertorneå and on top of Luppioberget is Lapland View Lodge. It’s called that for a reason, and it’s all about the view, of course. The lodge has a bar and a restaurant, as well as 40 cabins with large glass sections taking in that view. From here you can see fishermen on boats valiantly rowing for salmon on the border river, and into Finland with its vast forests and marshlands in a mighty panorama.

Arthotel Tornedalen

In Risudden Gundhild Stensmyr has created a unique hotel experience, a combination of genuine countryside and an art collection. She once moved away from the area, but now she’s back, to pursue a future dream.

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3. Pajala–Jukkasjärvi: 180 km

In the village Jouksengi you cross the Arctic Circle and in Pajala, just downstream of Kengis Bruk – the old ironworks that employed 170 workers in the 18th century and was the northernmost ironwork in the world – the Torne River divides. One part becomes the Muonio River, continuing north along the Finnish border at the Three-Country Cairn at Kilpisjärvi. The other continues as the Torne River, direction Pajala and then the Swedish mountain world. A nice place to stop is the Palokorva blast furnace ruins, a gem along the road.

Another lovely place to visit is the old grazing marsh Vasikavouma, now Vasikavouma Nature Reserve. People used to come here to harvest food for the animals on the farm. Vasikavouma is just over two square kilometres large and believed to be one of the biggest in Europe. Another green stop on the road is just before the village Masugnsbyn, where there is a deep, lush canyon to visit in Masugnsbyn Nature Reserve.

Salmon fishing

When Lars Munk moved to Pajala he decided to invest wholeheartedly in salmon fishing. Little did he know back then that the Torne River was becoming one of the best salmon rivers in the world.

More on fishing in Swedish Lapland >>

The Torne River has gone from a sleepy existence to being known as the world's most productive water system for Atlantic salmon.
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The Torne River is large, and not easy to fish in, but for fly fishermen who take on the challenge there are opportunities here that are hard to beat.

Jukkasjärvi

10 kilometres before arriving in Kiruna there’s a sign pointing you to Jukkasjärvi and Icehotel. For more than 30 years Icehotel has been built up and then melted down, all in a perfect cycle where the Torne River and its water provides the means to make it possible. Since 2016 you can also experience Icehotel in summer, thanks to Icehotel 365. It measures 2,100 square metres and features 18 art and deluxe suites, an ice bar, and the Experience Room for film screening, among other things. Icehotel 365 is cooled by solar panels, charged by the rays of the midnight sun.

Icehotel 365

For more than 30 years Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi has existed in harmony with nature, rising up and melting down in perfect harmony with the Torne River. Since 2016 there is also Icehotel 365, open every day of the year, powered by the midnight sun.

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Kärkevagge, or as it's called in North Sami: Geargevággi, translates as ‘Stone Valley’. There are thousands of enormous boulders spread out all over this wonderfully lush valley. Photo: Andy Anderson.
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STF Abisko Mountain Station and Lapland Resorts both offer guided tours/day hikes up to lake Trollsjön, through Kärkevagge, in summer. Photo: Andy Anderson
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It's a unique landscape. Technically, it was formed when a glacier tongue was separated at Kärkereppe and then formed a dead body of ice that slowly melted and left these boulders behind – as large as apartment buildings. Photo: Andy Anderson.

4. Jukkasjärvi–Kiruna: 19 km

Kiruna is a transforming city. The entire city is actually on the move. It’s an enormous project to enable continued development and mining. The move means, among other things, that Kiruna now has a new hotel. The classic Scandic Ferrum will disappear, and the new Scandic Hotel Kiruna, with an architecture that brings Kebnekaise and iconic Tjounavagge to mind, is erected in a new spot, in the centre. In the 1970s Kiruna was the largest city in the world, by area, but above all Kiruna has been an Arctic benchmark city that dared to break new ground: the first in the world to get electrified street lighting and architect-designed houses to provide quality of life. Around 22,000 people live in the municipal area. That means each Kiruna resident has an average of one square kilometre to themselves. Camp Ripan in Kiruna is a family business with a clear sustainability profile and local roots – down to the smallest details. The hotel has an award-winning spa with products made in the local area.

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Allemansrätten – the freedom to roam. Parking the car and pitching a tent, or just enjoying nature, is part of the Swedish right of public access that we take for granted, and embrace. But some things are actually regulated. Such as not being allowed to damage someone else's forest or fences. Use your common sense – simply put: don’t damage and don’t destroy. This applies to animals, nature, and people. Läs mer om allemansrätten >>

5. Kiruna—Abisko: 94 km

In Abisko you can visit Abiskojokka. This stream runs through the popular Abisko National Park. If Haparanda Archipelago at the beginning of this journey is one of our youngest national parks, Abisko is one of our oldest ones, and actually one of Europe’s oldest, founded back in 1909. This is where Sweden’s longest hiking trail begins, or perhaps ends: Kungsleden – the King’s Trail. Abisko Mountain Lodge is a popular accommodation option with a celebrated menu. You can also see Aurora Skystation from the road. It’s located on top of the mountain Noulja and in winter this place has a reputation as the best place in the world to see the northern lights. You can take the chair lift to the top of the mountain in summer too, and enjoy a light hike with stunning views, not least overlooking the iconic Tjounavagge.

Alpine activities

Abisko is the perfect spot if you want to take a breath of fresh air and treat yourself to fun activities. Abisko Outback is one of the companies here that will help you find these experiences.

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Riksgränsen

Riksgränsen is perhaps most known as a place where the skiing season lasts until midsummer, but it also offers hiking and running in fantastic mountain terrain.

6. Abisko—Riksgränsen: 38 km

In Björkliden you can visit Silverfallet, a waterfall by lake Torneträsk that makes the perfect setting for a picnic. Here you’ll also find Björkliden mountain village with accommodation options and a restaurant that boasts a magnificent view of the mountain world. Between Vassijaure and Kåpparåsen you’ll find the hiking trail to lake Trollsjön (Rissajaure) through the magical stone valley Kärkevagge. It’s an excellent day hike to Sweden’s clearest mountain lake.

Riksgränsen is perhaps best known as Sweden’s northernmost ski resort, where the skiing season can last all the way to midsummer. But in summer Riksgränsen and the surrounding area offers great hiking. When the navvies started building the railway between Kiruna and Narvik, the trail between Abisko and the Rombaken Fiord in Norway was used to transport material for the railway. If you hike, or ride a mountain bike, along this so-called Navvy Road from Abisko to Riksgränsen you can discover listed monuments from the railway construction era and remnants from the second world war, but above all enjoy the amazing scenery. Once you arrive in Riksgränsen you’ll be greeted by wild and rugged nature as well as Hotell Riksgränsen and multiple-award-winning Niekhu Mountain Villa.

Niekhu Mountain Villa

Nikehu Mountain Villa is based on two things. The love of the place, Riksgränsen, and a willingness to deliver high-quality experiences in a spectacular environment.

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More road trips

Find more suggestions for road trips in Swedish Lapland here.

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This website is made as part of the project AHKKA, co-financed by the European Union and Region Norrbotten.