1. Skellefteå–Jörn

The first part of the Silver Road runs from Skellefteå to Jörn, a distance of 58 kilometres. The road is forest lined but features glimpses of a cultivated cultural landscape. Skellefteå is a real summer town, so make sure you spend a few days in the centre of town at the beginning of your trip. There are lots of places here where you can go for a quick swim, enjoy some great shopping, or try lovely outdoor terraces. Make sure you visit the cultural centre Sara and Wood Hotel, located in one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings that has won numerous awards for its ground-breaking architecture. Down by the river the newly renovated summer town is in full bloom, featuring beautiful walking paths. Skellefteå is rich in culture, from storytelling festivals to musical festivities, and the mix of restaurants is appealing. From Taps and Tacos via classic Bryggargatan to Miss Voon on top of Wood Hotel. Bonnstan, Skellefteå’s church town dating back to the 17th century, as well as nearby Kyrkholmen and Stiftsgården are oases during summer. From Skellefteå the Silver Road goes in the direction of Boliden, then turns northwest, towards the villages around Jörn.

Arvidsjaur

The name Arvidsjaur comes from árviesjávrrie, derived from Ume Sami árvies (‘generous’, or ‘giving in abundance’) and jávrrie (‘lake’). The name is a reference to the fishing opportunities in the nearby lake. Today, approximately 4,500 people live here. Among other things, Arvidsjaur is known for being the location of the Norrland Dragoon Regiment K4. Here you’ll also find the campsite Camp Gielas and hotels Laponia, Skogen hotell and Lapland Lodge. Lappstaden is a must-see when visiting Arvidsjaur, but the local history museum Gamla Prästgården and the Rallarmuseet are also well worth a visit. There are cafés and restaurants in town, and even the Sibylla burger restaurant serves alcohol. If you want to stretch your legs, the mountain Vittjåkk very near town offers several easily accessible hiking trails for the whole family. Here you can marvel at the varied landscape and hike in mountainous forest, as well as on the mountain above the tree line. For a few weeks each summer there are steam locomotive trips from Arvidsjaur to Slagnäs, on Fridays and Saturdays, along the Inland Railway Line.

3. Arvidsjaur–Arjeplog: 86 km

In Arvidsjaur the Silver Road turns west and joins route E45 for a stretch before once again becoming Highway 95, heading towards Arjeplog, when the European route E45 turns south, towards Europe. Nature becomes more barren; the forest is lower and the marshland more extensive. The road follows river Byskeälven, up to its source streams in Allejaur.

Sjöstjärnans Camping is located on a peninsula by the Byske River. This campsite has been here for almost 50 years and used to be famous for its barn dances. People might still dance here, but these days Sjöstjärnan is most of all a scenic campsite. At Rádnagård in Rádnejaur there’s a flea market in summer and a shop that sells the farm’s own eggs as well as garden and home furnishings.

Arjeplog

Some 3,000 people live in Arjeplog municipality, but in winter there are far more than that staying here. This is due to a large automotive testing industry that was founded back in the 1970s. These days many of the world’s most famous car brands gather here for testing operations in the Arctic environment. An event industry based on ice driving has grown alongside these activities, and it has attracted a lot of famous – and not-so-famous – guests from all over the world.
Arjeplog is also home to Silvermuseet. It houses several interesting exhibitions, but it’s the sparkling collection of Sami silver that will impress the most.

To outdoor enthusiasts, the Arjeplogsströmmarna is an obvious stop. Here you’ll find great fishing opportunities and some easier hiking. If you fancy an amazing view, you can actually get all the way up to the top of mountain Galtispuoda by car, even if the road has seen better days (but you could always walk the last bit). Silver Resorts run Kraja Camping, another scenic campsite on a peninsula, but this one by the deepest lake in Sweden: Hornavan, but also several hotels. If you’re looking for activities Experience Arjeplog offers a range of great options, and at the harbour Heli Arjeplog have their helipad. The very best fishing is just a helicopter ride away, but it’s not just fishermen looking for dinner who use this helicopter option, so do trail runners, mountain hikers and sightseers.

4. Arjeplog–Norwegian border: 130 km

When you leave Arjeplog behind, the landscape opens up and offers magnificent mountain views. After 30 km you get to the turn-off towards Laisdalen, a fishing paradise and a place where the public road comes to an end in the middle of the mountain world. But if you stay on road 95, you’ll soon pass Jäkkvik, where Kungsleden (the King’s Trail) descends from the Pieljekaise national park – one of Sweden’s original parks from 1909 – before the hike continues north through the mountains. Jäkkvik was actually where Lars Levi Laestadius was born. He was a priest, personality and scholar, but mostly known as the founder of Laestadianism.

In the village Polcirkeln there’s a campsite right on top of the Arctic ‘circle’ for fishermen and campers. You could also opt for Vuoggatjålme if you’re looking for amazing food and hosting that’s been famous for almost 100 years. The history of this place mainly revolves around the Helamb family, who have welcomed travellers to Vuoggatjålme for an entire century. Along the way the mountain landscape has taken over completely, and when you pass Merkenäs you’re on the only national road in Sweden to cross the mountains above the tree line. At Guoledisjávrre, a mere 8 km from the Norwegian border, you’re at the highest point of the road: 740 metres above sea level. There’s a rest stop here: a great starting point if you’re out discovering the mountains. On the Norwegian side the road continues to Bodø.