Hike the land of the Sámi on the Padjelanta Trail

A hike on the Padjelantaleden in Swedish Lapland offers vast plateaus and picturesque lakescapes; rustic huts and beautiful campsites; herds of reindeer and authentic insights into the culture of Europe's last indigenous people, the Sámi. Much less frequented but at least as beautiful as its famous neighbour, the Kungsleden, this is an undoubtedly spectacular 137-kilometre (85 m) long-distance hike.
Sweden's largest national park (and one of the largest in Europe) is mostly uninhabited and is used as a grazing area by Sami reindeer herders, who live here during the summer. In the larger settlements, you can get an authentic insight into the Sámi culture as you explore the "Padjelanta", a Sami word that means "the Higher Land”.

Most of the stages are quite short, so this trail can easily be hiked in 8 to 11 days. If you plan to be flexible with one or two rest days, you can sit out any bad weather in one of the cosy hiker’s huts. Thanks to well-marked paths and manageable elevation gain, this tour is a great objective for ambitious beginners to long-distance hiking.

The weather can be fickle this far north, so waterproofs are just as essential as sturdy hiking boots. I recommend taking mosquito repellent and a head net, especially during July and August. The sense of wilderness is added to by the fact that there is no mobile reception. Fortunately, the huts have phones in case of an emergency.

Thanks to the trail’s solid infrastructure, you can approach the Padjelantaleden as a hut to hut trek. At the end of each stage you will find simple, charming hut lodgings. Many have small stores where you can buy basic food, snacks and fuel for your stove. Since many of the cabins are run by a Sami interest group, you can also get some special treats, such as smoked fish or reindeer meat. Remember to bring enough Swedish Krona with you, as some of the cabins do not accept card payments.

Sweden is a nation of outdoor lovers and the whole country enjoys Allemansrätten: the freedom to roam. This means you can wild camp on any land aside from private gardens, in the immediate vicinity of dwellings or cultivated land. On the Padjelantaleden you find many breathtakingly beautiful campsites that you won't forget in a hurry. For me, blending a camping and hut approach is the most satisfying way to approach the trail.

The start and finish points are easily accessible by public transport. Ritsem has a bus connection to Gällivare, which in turn is easily accessible by train. At Kvikkjokk there is a bus connection to Jokkmokk, which is connected to the same rail line. The nearest airport is Kiruna. However, an environmentally friendly arrival and departure by train is also possible via Stockholm. The train ride over the Swedish fells alone is stunning.

The best time to hike on Padjelantaleden is from July to September. Before that, residual snow and raging meltwater streams can endanger your hike (and your safety). In July you can experience the midnight sun and the Arctic summer in its full splendor. From the middle to the end of August, autumn slowly announces itself. The leaves turn into the most glorious shades of yellow and red and with a little luck you can see the first aurora borealis. From mid to late September, nights are frosty and the first inklings of snow begin at higher elevations. Whatever conditions you experience, the memories of a hike in Padjelanta will stay with you for a long time. What are you waiting for? Lace up your hiking boots and let's go!