Laisvall: Mining History Between Forest, Lake and River

Laisvall combines the history of a mining settlement with the expansive forest landscape around Lake Laisan. Anyone planning a trip to northern Sweden will find not just another interchangeable holiday resort here, but a place with a distinctive character: The buildings tell the story of the development of mining, while forests, lakes and river landscapes provide the setting for very different kinds of holiday days. Depending on whether you are looking for culture, fishing, nature observation or winter activities, Laisvall can be discovered from a variety of perspectives.

Mining history that remains visible in the townscape

The buildings in Laisvall are generally well preserved and form a valuable cultural environment. The buildings of the mining settlement clearly reflect the development of mining. At the same time, the preserved steel disc recalls this past: Today, it is a symbol of almost 60 years of mining. In the former mining town, the houses are still standing, while nature has begun to reclaim the area. It is precisely this contrast that makes the place interesting for travellers who are not only looking for landscapes, but also want to understand how a place was shaped by its industrial history.

At the height of its development, Laisvall had a cinema, shops and cafés, as well as a rich cultural life. The original settlement of Laisvall was founded in 1789, was located four kilometres to the south and is now called Laisvallby. This historical connection offers an additional perspective on the development of the settlements around the present-day town.

Forests, protected areas and expansive waterways

The nature around Laisvall offers several distinctly different impressions. The Assjatj nature reserve lies just over 2 kilometres southeast of Laisvall and can be reached via Road 628. There, a natural, old-growth-like forest with trees of all ages has regenerated after a fire. The notable trees include several spruce trees that are several centuries old. The Laisdalens fjällurskog nature reserve extends on both sides of the Laisälven; below Laisvall, spruce dominates.

The landscape along the lower Laisälven is also closely associated with coniferous forests. Laisvall is the centre of the fishing area on the lower Laisälven and therefore a natural starting point for anyone who wants to focus their trip on river and lake landscapes. Lake Storlaisan is more than 30 kilometres long. It is home to grayling, whitefish, perch, large trout and Arctic char. The Laisälven below Lake Storlaisan is considered interesting for sport anglers, is very rich in fish and is dominated by grayling. There is also a good stock of sometimes very large trout.

Active days and small activities

For a trip with varying daily rhythms, Laisvall offers both longer nature excursions and smaller activities in the town. One of the two mini-golf courses in Arjeplog Municipality is located in Laisvall. Equipment can be collected from the mini-kiosk, and payment is made via a letterbox on the wall. This is a straightforward way to plan a shared game between longer excursions.

In winter, there are illuminated cross-country ski trails measuring 1 kilometre and 2.5 kilometres. The two trail lengths provide a concrete guide for planning your day without committing you to a particular type of tour. Anyone wishing to use a snowmobile route can pay the applicable fee at Bröderna Sundström AB. This makes it possible to combine cultural history, waterways and winter activities in Laisvall.

Choose the right starting point for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Laisvall, it is worth deciding on the focus of your trip first. For anglers, Lake Storlaisan and the lower Laisälven are the main attractions. Those interested in nature can take the Assjatj nature reserve, the forests of Laisdalens fjällurskog and the coniferous forest landscape into account. Those interested in culture can focus on the preserved townscape, the mining buildings and the steel disc as a reminder of the town’s history. For winter stays, the illuminated cross-country ski trails are among the specific offerings in Laisvall.

Roadworks near the road may temporarily cause traffic disruptions on Road 625, on the road to Hällbacken and Adolfström. If you are planning your journey or excursions, you should take this possible impact on route planning into account. For further orientation, you can also look at Jäckvik, Mellanström, Slagnäs, Vuoggatjalme, Arjeplog and Jutis.

To the higher-level travel overview: Arjeplog.