In the summer of 2022, I traveled all over Northern Sweden. When I thought I had seen all the interesting places, I saw a strange English-sounding name on Google maps – Lancaster, Easy Elsie. “Hmm, am I missing something?” I thought.
I read a few reviews and looked at the pictures and knew right away I wanted to visit the place. At that moment, I was in the Porjus area and was wondering if I should stay or go back to Stockholm (which was something I really didn’t want.) After all, it was summer, the best time to travel in Northern Sweden, which is otherwise quite cold.
“Easy Elsie, Lancaster” is the crash site of a war bomber called “Easy Elsie” located in the Jokkmokk municipality in Northern Sweden. Although this place is dubbed as the plane crash site, it was actually an emergency landing, and none of the passengers died back in 1944.
What is interesting about it, however, is the fact that the whole plane (or rather just its pieces) is lying where it landed instead of being in a museum, and the whole place feels very natural. No entrance fee, no tourist information, or signboards.
Photo note: Although the Vans classics aren’t really the best choice for outdoor use, I had no plans to visit any other place. Thank God I found Easy Elsie on Google Maps! I didn’t want to change my shoes, though.
How To Get There
Getting to the Easy Elsie crash site is easier than it might seem, at least if you have a car! Before entering the forest, you will find a small parking space (see Google maps) for three or four cars and a sign with “Lancasterncastern” on it.
A long wooden footbridge leads into the forest and later through the entire forest and meadow. Although the footbridge is stable, it is very narrow, so if you meet someone going the other way, you will have to let them go, or vice versa. This is not a big problem unless the soil is wet or waterlogged.
The entire route, at least according to my phone, is 1.6 kilometers, so count on at least 20 minutes. I can’t say what this place looks like in winter, but in summer, everything was beautifully green and teeming with life.
The Plane Crash Site
Once you reach the crash site, you will find yourself in a meadow that is littered with sheet metal, wings, cockpit, and other parts of the plane. Don’t expect any tourist signs or pointers. The whole area looks very natural as if it is not even a tourist attraction.
I was there in August 2022, and there was only an old man. This seems to be a very rarely visited place. And it’s quite a shame because a place like this definitely deserves more visitors.
Additional Information
Easy Elsie Lancaster location: Jokkmokk, Sweden
Time: At least 60 minutes. Allow a maximum of 35-40 minutes of walking there and back and at least 20 to tour the entire crash site.
Final Words
Whether you are a fan of history, war, and aviation or just curious about the plane crash site, you should definitely visit this place. Plus, the long footbridge walk is very refreshing.
