Summer in Gällivare is bright nights, itchy mosquito bites, fishing in fantastic waters, hiking in the forest and over mountains. There's cycling, paddling and swimming. There's music and culture, coffee in the sun. Let us guide you to an unforgettable summer in Gällivare!
Dundret is our home mountain, just 10 minutes from town, offering outstanding views and activities all year round. During the summer months, the mountain is covered in greenery and is the perfect place to explore on foot or by mountain bike.
Dundret is an excellent option for a day hike. Photo: Magnus Winbjörk
Laponia is our World Heritage Site with a unique combination of nature and culture in an area of 9,400 square kilometres. Here you can explore hiking trails through forests, along water and mountains. Naturum Laponia is the gateway to the World Heritage Site, where you can get to know the mountains, forests and bogs, and how you can discover the World Heritage Site on your own.
Our waters, our many lakes and rivers, are excellent for kayaking excursions. The feeling of freedom and closeness to nature is unbeatable when you paddle at your own pace and discover hidden coves and islands.
There is plenty of fishing water in Gällivare. Remember to check what applies where you plan to fish. Photo: Magnus Winbjörk
Summer in Gällivare is not just about nature and outdoor activities. It is also a time for culture and events. Take part in festivals and concerts with local artists and musicians, and experience the Sámi culture through dance, song and crafts.
The World Heritage Site of Laponia, located in the majestic mountains of Gällivare and Jokkmokk municipality, offers exceptional experiences all year round.
Your next adventureCosy adventures with reindeer, cycling in the mountains, the skate park that makes your stomach tingle, lovely swimming and hanging out on a sandy beach or cosying up with a book on the couch. A summer in Gällivare contains both fast-paced experiences and quality time together. Here we have collected our best tips for activities for families with children.
The skate park in Sjöparken - Ellinor, 10 years old
In the heart of Gällivare lies Sjöparken External link., a place that is bustling with life during the summer. Here, children, young people and adults meet for play, exercise and relaxation.
The park houses an activity park for skateboards and scooters, an outdoor gym, a multi-sports field, a playground, a barbecue hut and a beautiful flower park. There is also plenty of space for ball sports – with fields for both football and basketball.
Several parts of the park are currently being renovated and assembled. Soon there will be even more to discover and use – but already today, Sjöparken is a perfect place for summer hangouts in the middle of town.
The cycle track at Dundret - Wilhelm, 13 years old
On two wheels, you can quickly go on summer adventures. In Gällivare, there is room for everything from exciting cycle tracks to enjoyable cycling with the family. You can find tips for fun cycle tracks here:
In the forest, you will also find many lovely paths that are easy to cycle with the family. Download the Naturkartan app at: naturkartan.se External link.
The forest at Sandviken and picking berries - Mustafa, 13 years old
Sandviken, this lovely gem in Gällivare! Here, it is not only sun and swimming that await, but a variety of activities that will make everyone in the family happy!
Try mixing your favourite songs in the DJ booth located on the beach, or why not challenge your friends to beach volleyball!
Bring a picnic and set up on a grassy area, at a picnic table, or, why not, on the wooden deck. Barbecues and firewood are available on site!
In the motor skills course, you can play, climb and challenge your friends. Also take the opportunity to visit the school forest in the forest grove, where there are seating areas, barbecues and an adventure course.
Recommend Dundret - Solihom, 7 years
On Dundret, there are hiking trails External link. for everyone, from shorter trails of an hour to longer day trips. There are also plenty of rest areas, shelters and cabins.
From the top of Dundret, in clear weather, you can see both Sarek and Kebnekaise. Our young explorers have a lot to look forward to during an adventure on foot! A 5-year-old hikes about 10 km in a day at a leisurely pace. Don't forget to bring snacks!
Visit the Cultural Museum - Hanna, 7 years old
Gällivare Cultural Museum is a child-friendly museum with opportunities for play, creativity and interactivity. The whole family will enjoy it here!
Visit the old school classroom, the trade stall and the creative workshop. Here, the whole family can learn about animals, our origins and the history of our time. The environments invite curiosity, interaction and experiences that both children and adults appreciate. Here, nature, culture and history meet in a way that engages both young and old visitors.
Fishing for rainbow trout in Nuolajärvi - Melvin, 13 years old
Easy to get out, plenty of water to choose from. Fishing in Gällivare is not complicated. There is water everywhere, lakes, rivers, small ponds and mountain water. You don't have to be an expert. Whether you fish occasionally or often, there are plenty of places that work for a day trip.
What do you fish for?A visit to the Library - Elsa, 8 years old
During the summer holiday, the library offers children and young people who are on summer break and who are in preschool through grade 6 in Gällivare municipality to participate in the Summer Book.
Participating means: Read or listen to at least five books during the summer break. Pick up a reading booklet at the library External link. and fill in which books have been read and which was the favourite. Once the reading booklet has been filled in and signed by a guardian, it is handed in to the library in Gällivare or Bokbussen, and the child gets to choose a book gift.
Books to choose from will be available from July 1st at the earliest.
The last day for submission is August 28th, or for those who borrow from Bokbussen at the next book bus trip in the autumn.
Have a wonderful summer reading!
There are many playgrounds in Gällivare close to the city centre. The picture shows a playground in Sjöparken. Photo: Jacob Nilsson / Brightnest
Granbacka nature playground - Emma, 12 years old
Head out for playground bingo and discover the municipality's playgrounds together with the children. Get bingo vertically, horizontally or challenge like-minded people to fill the entire tray.
Download the bingo tray here pdf, 1.7 MB. or pick up a copy at Welcome House.
Hand in your completed tray for a surprise at Welcome House in Norrskensgallerian.
All around Gällivare you will find cafes close to nature, culture and attractions, perfect stops during an excursion, hike or car trip through the municipality.
Take a bite
Through the PIFFL app, you get access to pink activity boxes with sports equipment, outdoor games and training equipment for all your summer activities. Challenge your family to kubb and croquet!
The boxes are located at Mariaskolan External link, opens in new window., in Sjöparken External link, opens in new window., in Hakkas External link, opens in new window. and in Puoltikasvaara External link, opens in new window..
Disc golf is the perfect summer activity for families with children.
The Cultural Trail in Gällivare is a nature-friendly and easily accessible hike that follows the Vassara River through central parts of the community. Along the path, you will encounter stories about Gällivare's history, culture and social transformation, where nature and human traces are woven together into a living experience.
Start the hike
There are plenty of hiking, running and cycling opportunities in and around Gällivare. Choose between urban and mountain. Here we have collected some tips to help you easily get out and discover new and old trails.
During orienteering with Naturpasset, you can get out into nature, beyond the well-trodden paths. The checkpoints are selected to give you a nice nature experience and a more or less tricky challenge. The checkpoints are usually open from midsummer to late autumn, so you can visit them whenever you want and in whatever order you want.
You can walk, run and in some cases cycle on your own or with others. The OK Sarven association is responsible for the checkpoints in Gällivare, and the Naturpasset is sold at Welcome House. Keep an eye on social media: @oksarven External link.
GälkaRun arranges exercise and competitive running races on courses that invite you to enjoy beautiful nature in Gällivare municipality. The races take place between May and September. Keep an eye on the website galkarun.se External link. for exact dates.
Challenge yourself this summer or cheer on others who do it! Exciting races await you in Gällivare for all levels and interests.
During the Rallarmarschen, you follow the tracks of the navvy from Gällivare to Porjus, through primaeval forests and on spans over babbling streams and vast bogs. While the DXR Extreme Running challenges with technical terrain and varying forest sections.
Cycling enthusiasts will find their place in Gruvorna Runt External link., where the course passes both the LKAB mine and Boliden Aitik. Discover the low mountain Dundret nature reserve during the hike Topparna Runt External link..
Gällivare Municipality now presents Naturkartan External link., a new digital system where you get an overview of hiking trails, picnic areas, nature reserves and much more. Get to know Naturkartan and find new hidden gems in nature.
The visitor map for Gällivare Municipality can be found here External link.
Aitik – en av gruvorna i Boliden Minerals regi – är Sveriges största koppargruva och världens mest produktiva koppardagbrott. Här består fyndigheten av kopparkis som innehåller koppar, guld och silver.
Mötesplatsen för lulesamiska, nordsamiska, finska och meänkieli.
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