Lannavaara: Gold Panning, Pilgrimage Trail and Church History

Lannavaara brings together gold panning and stoneworking with a distinctive church and settlement history. This gives you a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: a scheduled appointment at Kristallen, the illuminated trail, the Laestadiusleden pilgrimage trail and the history of the village. The landscape along the way to Lannavaara is also part of the trip. When looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether nature, gold panning or local history will shape your stay.

Gold Panning and Trails

Kristallen in Lannavaara is a gemmology and stoneworking centre considered unique in Sweden. By appointment, visitors can learn the basics of gold panning under guidance at Kristallen and then try searching for gold in nature themselves. Also check Kristallen’s seasonal visitor information when planning your trip.

The illuminated trail in Lannavaara is 3.4 kilometres long; Laestadiusleden is a pilgrimage trail between Lannavaara and Lainio. These trails offer different points of reference: the illuminated trail is defined by a specific length, while Laestadiusleden connects two places.

Church and Local History

Lannavaara Minneskyrka was built on the initiative of August Lundberg by the association Lapska missionens vänner in memory of Princess Eugénie. It was consecrated in 1934 and extensively renovated in 1973. Beside the church, a memorial stone to August Lundberg stands on the site of his former homestead. The two memorials are connected to different people: the church commemorates Princess Eugénie, and the stone honours August Lundberg.

Lannavaara was founded in 1873, after farmers from the villages of Soppero conducted experiments growing barley there. The southern slope of Lannavaaraberget proved to be the only place in the area where the barley ripened. The story of the village’s origins thus links its founding to the cultivation experiment and a specific hillside.

Another historical milestone is the mission school that Lapska missionens vänner ran in Lannavaara for Sámi children from 1883 to 1916. The school closed in 1916; Minneskyrka was consecrated in 1934. The school and church histories therefore belong to different periods in the village’s history.

Landscape and Getting There

On the way to Lannavaara, the landscape changes from dense spruce and pine forests to more sparsely vegetated areas with low, gnarled mountain birches; white mountains rise in the background. The drive from Kiruna or Kiruna Airport takes about 1.5 hours. Routes and road conditions can change, so check the current route from your starting point before setting off.

Find a Hotel in Lannavaara

If you are looking for a hotel in Lannavaara, you can use the purpose of your trip as your first consideration. An appointment at Kristallen requires advance planning; the pilgrimage trail and local history offer different focuses.

Discover more destinations: Björkliden, Vittangi, Abisko, Karesuando, Kiruna, Riksgränsen

Go to the main travel overview: Kiruna.