Discover Sulitjelma: Mining, Art and Hiking Trails

Sulitjelma combines its mining history with art in the town and hikes in the surrounding area. The Sulitjelma Mining Museum, the Sulitjelma Visitors’ Mine and the old industrial buildings offer insights into different aspects of this history. Outdoors, there are trails with varying levels of difficulty to choose from: from a relatively easy route with traces of mining to challenging terrain in the Sulitjelma Massif.

Mining History in the Museum and the Mountain

The Sulitjelma Mining Museum is located in Sulitjelma’s first industrial area, by the old copper smelting works dating from 1899 and the power station from 1893. Its collections cover the history of the mining community, minerals, the labour movement, transport history and sport. A guided tour of the collections for groups takes about an hour and is available in Norwegian and English; such tours are offered year-round.

The museum’s mineral exhibition also has its own distinctive focus: it showcases the shapes, colours and natural sculptures of local rocks and minerals. Visitors interested in the distinctive features of rocks and minerals as well as industrial history can give this part of the museum visit special attention.

At the Sulitjelma Visitors’ Mine, an original mine locomotive takes visitors 1.6 kilometres into Sulitjelmafjellet. Experienced guides talk about mining and the lives of miners in the 20th century. The mine is located at the Grunnstollen entrance to a large mine network; work there began in 1900. Regular guided tours are offered in spring, summer and autumn. Reserved tours are possible year-round, provided the mine is not iced over.

Art and Cultural Heritage in Sulitjelma

The mining history is also reflected in the town’s art. As part of the Up North festival in 2015, street artists transformed the area. Artworks on the old industrial buildings draw on the area’s history and creative ideas. This also makes Sulitjelma interesting for travellers who want to combine a visit to mining sites with a look at public art.

Jakobsbakken is also part of the cultural heritage; its area is protected by a zoning plan. The Kobberløpet, a cross-country ski race in the high mountains with an international field of competitors, takes place at Jakobsbakken every year. The Sulitjelma Church is listed by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage as a particularly valuable church. These places and traditions add further facets of local culture to the story of the industrial past.

Hikes with Varying Levels of Difficulty

Near Sulitjelma, the trail from Jakobsbakken to Sagmo passes historic traces of mining. The route is considered relatively easy and can be hiked year-round. Also nearby is the approximately 1.2-kilometre circular trail Hellarmovatnet rundt, which goes around the lake. There is a shelter about halfway along the trail. This short, clearly defined loop is quite different from longer hikes in the mountains.

Further afield in the region, a section of the Nordlandsruta runs from Lomi to Ny-Sulitjelma. It is a scenic, relatively undemanding hike in the Sulitjelma mountains. Vardetoppen in the Sulitjelma Massif offers a stronger contrast: this mountain hike is challenging, partly traverses rough terrain and offers spectacular views. When choosing hikes for your trip, these differences can help you decide whether to plan an easier route or a demanding mountain hike.

For route planning, Fylkesvei 830 runs from Finneid to Sulitjelma. When choosing a holiday apartment in Sulitjelma, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: mining history and art in the town, a hike nearby or hikes in the Sulitjelma mountains.

More places: Tverrå, Valnesfjord, Brekke, Straumsnes.

For the overall travel guide: Fauske.