Pajala on the Torne River: Rivers, Culture and Nature

Pajala is a town on the Torne River, in a municipality whose landscape is shaped by rivers, lakes and fishing waters. It is also home to historic sites associated with Lars Levi Laestadius, a vibrant Tornedalian culture, and trails and ski tracks for different seasons.

Rivers, Lakes and Vasikkavuoma

The municipality of Pajala encompasses five rivers. The Torne River and the Kalix River are protected as national rivers from hydropower development. In total, the municipality contains around 1,150 kilometres of waterways and approximately 680 lakes; fish species found there include pike, perch, roach, whitefish, burbot, grayling and trout. Active fishing areas make it possible to fish in lakes and rivers, while the Torne River around Pajala is particularly associated with salmon fishing. At Kengisforsen, visitors can fish for salmon and take walks along the riverbank.

The Vasikkavuoma nature reserve is located about 10 kilometres from Pajala. It has boardwalks, parking areas, barbecue sites, a rest cabin and toilets. A historic hay meadow with around 80 haystacks still remains. Approximately 70 bird species have been observed in Vasikkavuoma. Under the reserve regulations, hiking, camping and lighting fires are permitted in designated areas. In winter, ski tracks are often laid across the mire.

Culture and History

The Laestadius Museum consists of the parsonage, Pörte and the herb garden, and conveys the life and work of Lars Levi Laestadius. The museum preserves original objects documenting the lives of Laestadius and Brita-Kajsa. An interactive nature section can be visited in summer when guides are present.

Pajala Church stands on the Torne River. It was built in Kengis in 1797 as a parish church, then moved to Pajala and remodelled between 1869 and 1871. Lars Levi Laestadius preached there from 1849 to 1860. Laestadiuspörtet is protected as a historic building because of its historical connection to Lars Levi Laestadius; the Laestadiuspörtet Museum is located near Pajala Church. Soltorget is home to the world’s largest sundial of its kind.

Language, Theatre and Festivals

Tornedalsteatern – Tornionlaakson teatteri is based in Pajala. Meänkieli and Finnish are important parts of local cultural life, including music, theatre and literature. This linguistic connection is also evident at Kväänifästi: in addition to lectures and discussions, the festival offers visitors history, workshops, handicrafts, art, theatre, music, language immersion and culinary experiences.

Kväänifästi is an annual meeting place and is always held in connection with the Pajala Market. The origins of the Pajala Market date back to the 18th century. Römppäviikko was revived in 1987; since then, the tradition has been intended to return year after year.

Activities and Trails

Pajala’s Nature Map includes excursion destinations, fishing lakes, snowmobile routes, ski tracks and other activities throughout the municipality of Pajala. The Rian area of Pajala has a sports hall, an ice rink, an artificial-turf field and ski tracks. The ski tracks in Pajala begin at the football field, the sports hall or the illuminated trail and connect with the tracks in the nearby Vasikkavuoma hay meadow.

For travel by road, there are two described routes: Pajala can be reached via Road 99 along the Torne River or via Road 395 from Kiruna–Vittangi. Pajala Airport offers a connection to Luleå.

Pajala also includes the places Korpilombolo, Pajala, Tärendö, Kangos and Muodoslompolo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Norrbotten.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Arvidsjaur, Boden, Övertorneå.