Laponia is a magical area of mountains. However, it may not be the most obvious choice for your first taste of mountain hiking. The Padjelanta Trail between Ritsem and Kvikkjokk is almost 140 km long, with 10 mountain huts. Our recommendation is to start your hike in Ritsem and hike the route Ritsem – Saltoluokta, which is about 60 km, staying overnight in five mountain huts. You then return to Ritsem by helicopter, which flies the route to a timetable. Before the hike begins, you take a boat across Akkajaure. This boat also runs to a timetable, which meets the buses from Gällivare. If you want to stay in the area, we recommend you visit STF Saltoluokta Mountain Station and Laponia Naturum.
Padjelanta Trail, Ritsem – Saltoluokta 61 km
We recommend that you start your hike in Ritsem, walk to Saltoluokta and fly back. There’s a scheduled helicopter service. On the route there are five mountain huts. In Ritsem you start with a boat trip over Akkajaure, which is scheduled to meet the buses from Gällivare. Padjelanta National Park has soft rounded mountains and is mostly easy terrain. There are also large lakes and roaring rivers. Three Sami villages carry out reindeer herding in the area, and hikers must show consideration. You cannot bring your dog with you. In the water, you can fish one kilometre on either side of the trail if you have a fishing licence.
Hike length
60 km – 5 days. Longest stage 23 km
- Stage 1: Ritsem – Kisuris (16 km)
- Stage 2: Kisuris – Låddejåkkå (23 km)
- Stage 3: Låddejåkkå – Arasluokta (12 km)
- Stage 4: Arasluokta – Saltoluokta (10 km)
Accommodation during the hike
(STF Ahkka Mountain Hut), Kisuris, Låddejåkkå, Arosluokta and Staluokta. Ahkkastugan is run by STF and must be pre-booked. Other huts are run by Badjelánnda Laponia Turism and can’t be booked. The warden will welcome you and allocate beds.
Shops during the hike
STF Ritsem and Saltoluokta
Map
Lantmäteriet for printing at home
Sarek & Padjelanta Calazo 1:100 000
Padjelantaleden Calazo 1:50 000
Saltoluokta Padjelanta Kvikkjokk Norstedts 1:75 000
Apps: Fjällkartan – Naturkartan – Min Karta
Getting there
You can get to Ritsem by road. You can catch a train to Gällivare, and then a bus (180 km).