The Trail Way - The Geopoetic Way
We call it “untouched nature.” But when you know what to look for, you’ll see that it’s full of stories and traces. Geological traces left by glaciers and ancient riverbeds. Archaeological traces and tracks from the people who came before us. On this tour from The Trail Way, you’ll learn more about these traces, how we discover them, and how we preserve them.
In this two-day package from The Trail Way, you’ll learn about and experience the nature and cultural history at the foot of the mighty Saltfjellet, north of the Arctic Circle. Join us at a reconstructed, traditional Sámi settlement, stay at the charming and historic Storjord Hotel, and embark on a guided nature hike from the Nordland National Park Centre.
Day 1 – Dinner at an authentic sami settlement
The journey begins with a train ride to Lønsdal station. This scenic train journey crosses the Arctic Circle right in the heart of Saltfjellet. At the station, a rental car awaits you, which you’ll take to the charming little mountain hotel, Storjord Hotel. Here, you’ll have some time to relax, or explore the beautiful nature in the surrounding area before heading to the Nordland National Park Centre.
Your guide for the evening’s experience awaits at the Centre. Your heading just beyond the National Park Centre, to a traditional Sami settlement that has been reconstructed, complete with both a North Sami and a South Sami dwelling and food storage house («stabbur»). Here, you’ll sit on reindeer skins around the fire and learn about the Sami culture and cultural history of Saltfjellet. About the people who practiced reindeer herding and lived their lives here, in time with nature. You’ll enjoy a dinner of Sami traditional food and learn to lasso in the Sami way.
After evening coffee, if you wish, you can explore and enjoy the nature on your own. The guides will give you tips on easy hikes you can take, and the package includes an audio guide that tells you more about the areas around the National Park Centre.
Day 2 – A geo-poetic nature walk
After breakfast and packing a lunch at the hotel, this day offers a 2- to 3-hour guided nature walk on the beautiful trails near the National Park Centre. The walk can range from 5 to 9 kilometers, depending on how far you want to go. You’ll plan this together with the guide, who is well acquainted with the area and easily adapts the walk to your needs.
You’ll learn about flora and fauna through the flowers, vegetation, and wildlife. You’ll see the forces of nature in the river, waterfalls, and giant’s cauldrons in the rock. You’ll learn about human history, from trapping pits and ancient superstitions to the traces still present from the wartime prison camps in the area. All of this is pieces of the same larger picture. And when we open our senses and learn to see the traces and stories in nature, we see even better how the large picture changes when we move the pieces.
After the walk, you’ll have time to explore the National Park Centre. Here, you can visit the popular museum shop, explore the art gallery, or learn more in the national park exhibition.
Practical information
The package includes travel to Lønsdal, accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and lunch.
At least one person in the travel group must have a valid driver’s license for a car.
Remember to bring hiking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Day 1 – Dinner at an authentic sami settlement
The journey begins with a train ride to Lønsdal station. This scenic train journey crosses the Arctic Circle right in the heart of Saltfjellet. At the station, a rental car awaits you, which you’ll take to the charming little mountain hotel, Storjord Hotel. Here, you’ll have some time to relax, or explore the beautiful nature in the surrounding area before heading to the Nordland National Park Centre.
Your guide for the evening’s experience awaits at the Centre. Your heading just beyond the National Park Centre, to a traditional Sami settlement that has been reconstructed, complete with both a North Sami and a South Sami dwelling and food storage house («stabbur»). Here, you’ll sit on reindeer skins around the fire and learn about the Sami culture and cultural history of Saltfjellet. About the people who practiced reindeer herding and lived their lives here, in time with nature. You’ll enjoy a dinner of Sami traditional food and learn to lasso in the Sami way.
After evening coffee, if you wish, you can explore and enjoy the nature on your own. The guides will give you tips on easy hikes you can take, and the package includes an audio guide that tells you more about the areas around the National Park Centre.
Day 2 – A geo-poetic nature walk
After breakfast and packing a lunch at the hotel, this day offers a 2- to 3-hour guided nature walk on the beautiful trails near the National Park Centre. The walk can range from 5 to 9 kilometers, depending on how far you want to go. You’ll plan this together with the guide, who is well acquainted with the area and easily adapts the walk to your needs.
You’ll learn about flora and fauna through the flowers, vegetation, and wildlife. You’ll see the forces of nature in the river, waterfalls, and giant’s cauldrons in the rock. You’ll learn about human history, from trapping pits and ancient superstitions to the traces still present from the wartime prison camps in the area. All of this is pieces of the same larger picture. And when we open our senses and learn to see the traces and stories in nature, we see even better how the large picture changes when we move the pieces.
After the walk, you’ll have time to explore the National Park Centre. Here, you can visit the popular museum shop, explore the art gallery, or learn more in the national park exhibition.
Practical information
The package includes travel to Lønsdal, accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and lunch.
At least one person in the travel group must have a valid driver’s license for a car.
Remember to bring hiking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Source: Helgeland Reiseliv as
The Trail Way - The Geopoetic Way