just 1–2 ppm. 1–2 just the E4 at the signpost to the village of Nikkala. of village the to signpost the at E4 the
embark passengers here. here. passengers embark centre, Haparanda. You get to the harbour by turning off off turning by harbour the to get You Haparanda. centre, offers temperatures for bathing. The sea has a salt content of of content salt a has sea The bathing. for temperatures offers
boats sometimes disembark/ sometimes boats regional the from kilometres 18 is harbour Haparanda
bound. In spring, the light and warmth return, and summer summer and return, warmth and light the spring, In bound.
rounded by sea. Excursion Excursion sea. by rounded
Tourist information: www.haparandatornio.com information: Tourist - ice becomes Gulf Bothnian the December, In century. per
- sur Sandskär, of point most
skyddadnatur.norrbotten@lansstyrelsen.se the land has been rising, which it continues to do at 85 cm cm 85 at do to continues it which rising, been has land the - northern the to out bar sand
www.nationalparksofsweden.se the one-kilometre, tapering tapering one-kilometre, the today’s coastal zone was completely under water. Since then then Since water. under completely was zone coastal today’s
It is an experience to walk walk to experience an is It
make the area unique in the world. Ten thousand years ago, ago, years thousand Ten world. the in unique area the make CONTACT / GETTING HERE CONTACT / GETTING
NORDUDDEN 6 the extreme seasonal contrasts and the brackish seawater seawater brackish the and contrasts seasonal extreme the
and recreational value. Land uplift due to glacial rebound, rebound, glacial to due uplift Land value. recreational and the second half of summer. summer. of half second the
which is done daily during during daily done is which unique archipelago setting of considerable natural, cultural cultural natural, considerable of setting archipelago unique
Visitors can watch ringing, ringing, watch can Visitors
The purpose of the national park national the of purpose The is to preserve a scenic, scenic, a preserve to is
birds on Sandskär since 1981. 1981. since Sandskär on birds
Society has been ringing ringing been has Society
long sandy beaches. beaches. sandy long
marked hiking trail from Kumpula to Nordudden. Nordudden. to Kumpula from trail hiking marked
Norrbotten Ornithological Ornithological Norrbotten
labyrinths, sand dunes, and and dunes, sand labyrinths,
are also facilities at Nordudden, the northern point. There is is There point. northern the Nordudden, at facilities also are
OBSERVATORY pine forests, fishing cabins, cabins, fishing forests, pine
sauna, a woodshed, fireplaces, a well, and tent pitches. There There pitches. tent and well, a fireplaces, woodshed, a sauna,
The island offers beautiful beautiful offers island The
BIRD THE
5
Here you find a small jetty. jetty. small a find you Here information, overnight cabins, a stopover cabin, latrines, a a latrines, cabin, stopover a cabins, overnight information,
Sandwort and Lyme Grass. Grass. Lyme and Sandwort At Kumpula in the south of Sandskär of south the in Kumpula At there is a harbour, harbour, a is there
SESKAR-FURÖ baptisms and weddings. and baptisms
sand include Sea Pea, Sea Sea Pea, Sea include sand
chapel is used for religious services, services, religious for used is chapel
shine. Plants growing in the the in growing Plants shine.
pitch and a latrine. latrine. a and pitch
church attendance. To this day, the the day, this To attendance. church
Furö, as well as a few smaller islands. islands. smaller few a as well as Furö,
- sun of plenty bathers gives
you find fireplaces, a tent tent a fireplaces, find you
week for what was then compulsory compulsory then was what for week
Seskar- and Sandskär of islands large the includes
The southerly orientation orientation southerly The
is solely for loading. Here Here loading. for solely is
need to row to the mainland every every mainland the to row to need
derful beaches on Sandskär. Sandskär. on beaches derful Gulf of Bothnia, close to Finland. The national park park national The Finland. to close Bothnia, of Gulf
land or to a buoy. The jetty jetty The buoy. a to or land community on Sandskär would not not would Sandskär on community
- won many the of one is This
can tie a mooring line to to line mooring a tie can Haparanda Archipelago National Park lies in the the in lies Park National Archipelago Haparanda in the 18th century so that the fishing fishing the that so century 18th the in
udden (“Northpoint”) you you (“Northpoint”) udden
BAATILAHTI It was transported out to the island island the to out transported was It 4
Nord- of side east the On originally a granary in Finnish Tornio. Tornio. Finnish in granary a originally
ARCHIPELAGO
The chapel on Sandskär island was was island Sandskär on chapel The fine-grained sand. sand. fine-grained NORDUDDEN
the wind has blown away the the away blown has wind the
is a former seabed, where where seabed, former a is HAPARANDA
football stadium. The plain plain The stadium. football cabins, fireplaces and more. and fireplaces cabins,
area extends, resembling a a resembling extends, area
find information, rental rental information, find
TO WELCOME
dunes, a large flat sandy sandy flat large a dunes, Near the harbour you will will you harbour the Near
Surrounded by high sand sand high by Surrounded
m. 2.9 of depth a to dredged
culture and nature. and culture
fishing settlement was was settlement fishing
STADIUM
3
and for others wanting to experience the island island the experience to wanting others for and In 2014, the marina in the the in marina the 2014, In
destination for summer visitors intent on bathing, bathing, on intent visitors summer for destination
KUMPULA
Sandskär in 1886. in Sandskär here for centuries. Today, the island is a popular popular a is island the Today, centuries. for here
seaman who drowned off off drowned who seaman
landscape. People have been hunting and fishing fishing and hunting been have People landscape. . water meadow, forest,
those buried is a young young a is buried those
Moor, sand, deciduous forest, coniferous coniferous forest, deciduous sand, Moor, TYPES: NATURE
still rising, and waves and wind are forming the the forming are wind and waves and rising, still at Kumpula harbour. Kumpula at
behind the chapel. One of of One chapel. the behind
Norrbotten PROVINCE: broke the surface 1,500 years ago. The land is is land The ago. years 1,500 surface the broke to the national park is on the island of Sandskär, Sandskär, of island the on is park national the to
ground burial small a is There
Norrbotten COUNTY:
most national park. The largest island, Sandskär, Sandskär, island, largest The park. national most club manages a small campground. The entrance entrance The campground. small a manages club
GRAVE
Haparanda COMMUNITY: CLOSEST - eastern Sweden’s is Archipelago Haparanda excursion boats, and a marina, and Bothnia boat boat Bothnia and marina, a and boats, excursion
SEAMAN’S SEAMAN’S
2
YEAR INAUGURATED: 1995 INAUGURATED: YEAR
sizeable harbour on the mainland. There are are There mainland. the on harbour sizeable
60 square kilometres square 60 AREA: from Haparanda harbour, which is the closest closest the is which harbour, Haparanda from THE SEA THE
THE NATIONAL PARK IN BRIEF IN PARK NATIONAL THE
Most summer visitors cross to the national park park national the to cross visitors summer Most atmosphere. atmosphere.
timbers give it a special special a it give timbers FROM RISEN
to this day. The massive massive The day. this to
AND SIX EXCURSIONS EXCURSIONS SIX AND high chapel is a landmark landmark a is chapel high
the 18th century, the 8,5 m m 8,5 the century, 18th the
% 1 % 2 % 4 % 5 % 87
Constructed at the end of of end the at Constructed
ENTRANCES THREE Meadow Sand Moor Forest Sea
THE CHAPEL CHAPEL THE 1
FIVE THINGS FOUR SEASONS
NOT TO BE MISSED Summer is the busy season for visitors to the national park. Excursion boats are most frequent in July – August. Once the ice has disappeared 12. BLÅ JUNGFRUN An island of in May, the sea warms up relatively quickly. legends, with smooth rocks, deciduous trees and beautiful views. Light nights, flowers and occasionally large 13. NORRA KVILL One of the few numbers of mosquitoes characterise June-July. old growth type woodlands in Here are five jewels in the southern Sweden. national park you should 14. TÖFSINGDALEN Valley with Autumn is the time when visitors become fewer ancient pine woodlands, rich in try not to miss. HAPARANDA boulders and rushing waters. and nature prepares for winter. Jetties are pulled 15. MUDDUS / MUTTOS The land of ashore before the autumn storms sweep in. vast wetlands and old growth Soon the first snow will fall. ARCHIPELAGO woodlands. 16. PADJELANTA / BADJELÁNNDA Rolling mountain moors and big In winter, the ice settles on the Bothnian Bay in NATIONAL PARK lakes, far from the nearest road. November-December and the snow covers the 17. STORE MOSSE The largest SHIFTING SAND DUNES wetland area in Sweden south of landscape for several months. Many animals walk GEM OF THE Lapland. A grain of sand smaller than 0.6 between the islands. In March-April, it is nice to 18. TIVEDEN A wooded landscape mm can easily be blown by the visit the national park on a snowmobile or skis. with a wilderness feel. wind. On Sandskär, shifting sand BOTHNIAN GULF 19. SKULESKOGEN Coast with has formed the island, and the magnificent views and the world’s In spring, the ice usually melts in May and boats highest isostatic lift. process continues. 20. STENSHUVUD Coastal hills, can again navigate the archipelago. Migratory broadleaved woodlands, inviting birds that have spent a winter in the south pass heathlands and beaches. BIRDS this way again. 21. BJÖRNLANDET Mountains, cliffs and woodlands with traces of old About 250 bird species have woodland fires. been spotted on Sandskär. 22. DJURÖ Archipelago in Western Europe’s biggest lake. The easterly position and varied 23. TYRESTA Pristine woodland just nature contribute to the diversity. 1. ABISKO An easily accessible south of Stockholm. mountain valley with unusually rich Bring your binoculars! flora. 24. HAPARANDA SKÄRGÅRD Archipelago with sandy beaches and 2. STORA SJÖFALLET / STUOR shallow waters. MUORKKE Impressive peaks, SAUNA AND BATHING glaciers and ancient pine woodlands. 25. TRESTICKLAN Roadless wilderness with expansive views If you are able, try a traditional 3. SAREK Magnificent, challenging REGULATIONS from pine-covered ridges. wilderness in a unique mountainous Tornedalen sauna on Sandskär. landscape. 26. FÄRNEBOFJÄRDEN A mosaic of broadleaved woodlands and water in Cool off in the sea in the light 4. PIELJEKAISE Expansive, pristine Nedre Dalälven. summer night. It is forbidden to pitch a tent or light a fire outside woodlands of mountain birch. 27. SÖDERÅSEN Deciduous designated places. 5. SONFJÄLLET woodland, scree slopes, running A low mountain with natural water and a rich flora and fauna. Dogs and other pets must be on a leash. woodland and plenty of bears. 28. FULUFJÄLLET By Sweden’s THE VIEW 6. HAMRA A rare complex of natural highest waterfall, old growth Motorized vehicles are not permitted, except house owners woodland, wetland and watercour- woodland meets mountainside that Off Sandskär, you can often see driving snowmobiles the nearest way to their house. ses. is white with lichen. both the snub-nosed ring seal 7. ÄNGSÖ Genuine agricultural 29. KOSTERHAVET Species-rich You may not pick or dig up plants, break twigs or in landscape with grazing animals and area of sea and archipelago with and the larger grey seal with haymaking. any other way damage living or dead trees and bushes. Sweden’s only coral reef. its elongated head. On a clear 8. GARPHYTTAN This old Picking berries and mushrooms is permitted. 30. ÅSNEN Archipelago with day you can glimpse the Finnish agricultural landscape is a sanctuary hundreds of islands and old beech- for many songbirds. and pineforests. mainland and Malören island. You may not disturb wildlife, hunt, pick eggs or collect 9. GOTSKA SANDÖN Unique, insects or other animals. Fishing in the sea is permitted. beautiful island with miles of sandy MORE INFORMATION: PLANTS nationalparksofsweden.se beaches. You may not remove or damage cultural remains, rocks, 10. DALBY SÖDERSKOG Leafy Sea Pea is easy to detect in the woodland on the plains of Skåne. sand when it has produced its parts from wrecks or other permanent items in nature. 11. VADVETJÅKKA Sweden’s pink blooms. Just like the bird northernmost national park is a The complete regulations can be found on mountain with deep caves. population, the plants offer a rich nationalparksofsweden.se variety on Sandskär. HAPARANDA ARCHIPELAGO NATIONAL PARK
NORDUDDEN NATURE TRAIL The 5-kilometre nature trail, dotted on the big map, takes you exploring across Sandskär. The trail begins at the stopover cabin at Kumpula harbour. There is a pocket- sized brochure presenting the nature trail. It gives you tips and interesting facts about the 20 numbered sites along the trail, and about the plants, animals and fascinating history of Sandskär, where there are many different cultural remains. The brochure is on sale at cost price in the Kumpula cabin, Haparanda-Tornio Tourist Centre and on the excursion boats. On the hike you can experience the many different types of habitat on Sandskär. There are shady virgin forests of gnarled pines or thick aspens; there are sunny beaches and sand-dunes with a South Sea feel, blooming water meadows, dry moorland areas and verdant birch groves. The variety means there are many different plants, animals and birds to discover. HIKING TRAIL/NATURE TRAIL
PEOPLE’S DECIDUOUS FOREST
ARCHIPELAGO CONIFEROUS FOREST The islands Ever since Sandskär rose from the sea, people Islandet, Stora and GRAVEL, SAND from Sweden and Finland have made their way Lilla Harrsten, Eva, Björn and Korkea are bird sanctuaries where it is here to hunt seal and to fish. Ancient traces Elex. Jonas Lundin. Translation: Lisa Wallin, Erik Kohlström, Illustrations: Öberg. Thomas of Norrbotten, Board Administrative County Photo: forbidden to go ashore 1 May – 31 July. MOOR remain to this day in the form of abandoned Sjöfartsverket. house foundations and boat slipways. The weather- worn chapel is a well-known landmark dating BOULDER STREWN GROUND back to the 18th century. WATER Sandskär harbour formally lay further to the east, surrounded by several groups of fisherman’s cabins, known as fishing settlements. These were later abandoned when the harbour had to be relocated due 1 THE CHAPEL to land uplift. The red cabins of Kumpula fishing settle- ment are today recreational cottages. Further inland 2 BIRD-RINGING SITE on Sandskär’s moorland there are also remains of rack cairns. These stone cairns arranged in rows were used 3 THE BEACH, BAATILAHTI to support the wooden posts of net-drying racks. Redshank
STADIUM In times past, the people of the coast crossed the 4 pack ice to hunt seal in early spring. In the 1960s, seal hunting was banned because of the environmental toxins which threatened the seals. Today the Bothnian Gulf is cleaner, and the seals are again growing in number. Nowadays, fishing on Sandskär focuses on lavaret, vendace and salmon.
AN ABUNDANCE OF LIFE
Besides seals, species in the sea include herring, 4 SANDSKÄR salmon, trout, grayling and lavaret. The rare aquatic plant Baltic Water-plantain has been discovered in shallow bays. On the islands we find mammals such as moose, red fox, mountain hare, squirrel and sometimes 3 reindeer. Many different bird species thrive in the var- Rack cairns on ied habitats on Sandskär. A Black Grouse or a Caper- Sandskär. caillie may ruffle its feathers in front of the hiker and in the leafy glades sing Eurasian Wryneck, Treecreeper and Pied Flycatcher. On the moors, the Whimbrel brays alongside nesting Meadow Pipit, Northern Wheatear, and Lesser Whitethroat. Along the beaches you can see swimming Red Breasted Merganser and Bothnian Tufted Duck. Wood Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Hair-grass 1 2 Common Greenshank will gladly nest on the shore. KUMPULA The endemic species Bothnian Hair-grass, Bothnian Eyebright and Bothnian Field Sagewort are an exciting element in the rich flora. The Gulf of Bothnia contains their only habitats, worldwide. Many other plants are to be found on the beaches, the sand dunes, the pastures and in the forests.
Grey seal Ringed seal