Grodkällan on Slengmyran (Sleng wetlands) is a very popular place for an excursion for the whole family as long as you bring rubber boots.
Important to keep in mind when visiting Grodkällan:
Do not enter the spring – It is not allowed to swim in the spring, neither for pets nor humans, because there is a risk of destroying the spring.
Do not walk at the edge of the spring – Avoid walking closest to the water . The edge may be weakened. Walking on the loose edge helps to release particles in the water that can cloud the source. Help us preserve our unique spring!
Do not litter – Think of the next visitor who comes after you and take the rubbish home. The rubbish does not belong in nature and is also a danger to wildlife.
Grodkällan or Tsuobbuojája as it’s called in sami is a grand spring (15m diameter, at least 3m deep) placed in the middle of Sleng wetlands in the vicinity of the village Lomträsk. A partly planked path leads you the 600 metres from Häggsjölidvägen towards the spring were you can have a picnic or light a fire in the fire place by the shelter just beside the spring.
The spring is a so called artesian or a boiling spring were the water has a very high pressure and it’s possible to see how it’s boiling from the bottom of the spring. Although, the most astonishing thing about the spring is the turquoise color that contrasts very much to the surrounding wetlands. The color might be due to floating clay particles but also light green stringy algae can contribute to the turquoise color.
The spring got it’s swedish name (Frog spring) as a translation from the older sami name Tsuobbuojája that means exactly Frog spring. The name is probably born from the fact that the sami people saw frogs hibernating in the spring when they rested by it on their way to Arvidsjaur. A path that the sami people used is said to have led from Lomträsk past the spring and continuing to Arvidsjaur. Due to the strange appearance of the spring it was also used as a landmark between Lomträsk and Auktsjaur sami tax county which is written in inspection protocols in court records from 1823.
Length: 600m
Duration: 20min
Level: Easy
Coordinates (parking):
N65° 46,727 E19° 28,882
N7302569 E0705015
Information:
Arvidsjaur tourist information
Tel: +46 960-175 00
Who should go: everyone with good boots or rubber boots since the path can be wet and muddy.
Directions: from Arvidsjaur drive north on E45 for Auktsjaur. When you’ve passed Auktsjaur turn right for Lomträsk and continue on dirt road 4km. Here turn left at a sign saying “Kallkälla” to Häggsjölidvägen. Continue about 3km were you can see the path and signs on the right side of the road.
To do: watch the turquoise water bubble from the bottom of the spring, have a picnic by the fine shelter and fire place beside the spring or just admire the fine surroundings with vast wetlands.
Accommodation and cafés: you can camp in the shelter beside the spring.
Map: map of the location to the right on this link http://www.arvidsjaur.se/Documents/Vandringsleder/Grodkallan.pdf. A printed map is available for free at the Tourist information in Arvidsjaur.
How to behave when you’re hiking in nature:
Littering, leave no trace: it’s forbidden to leave garbage in nature. Bring it home with you. A tip is to bring an extra plastic bag for garbage in you backpack.
Lighting a fire: it’s forbidden to light a fire directly on cliffs and note that there might be special rules in nature reserves. It’s recommended that only existing fire places are used and note that if you light a fire no traces of the fires is to be left when you leave the spot. Check that there’s not a fire ban at the time (link here).
Dogs: are to be held on leash in nature reserves and national parks. During march 1th to august 20th all dogs has to be held on leash not only in nature reserves but in all kinds of nature including parks. This is to protect the wild animals.
Berries, mushrooms, fish and protected plants: it’s permitted to pick berries and mushrooms but some plants and mushrooms are protected (more information here). It’s also forbidden to pick plants and branches etc. of trees. Bring your own wood or use wood that is placed by the fire places. Note that in nature reserve also dead trees are an important part of the forest. Do not harm these trees. If you want to fish you have to buy a fishing card. They are sold at Intersport in Arvidsjaur.
Reindeer industry: many sami villages have their pastures were the paths are. If you meet a flock of reindeers or a stray reindeer you have to stay calm so that the reindeers are not frighten by our presence.
You’ll find more information about the Swedish Right of Public Access here.