Padjelantaleden is a hiking trail in Lappland, in northern Sweden. It is 140km long and leads from Kvikkjokk northwards through Padjelanta National Park (in the Laponia park system) to Ritsem. The hike usually takes around 9–10 days (although one might want to plan for breaks, expected and unexpected). Not having much elevation gain (at maximum 300m per day), it is suitable as a beginner’s trekking tour, provided one has experience with outdoor camping, hiking and staying in remote areas
- This article is an itinerary.
. . . Padjelantaleden . . .
- See also: Hiking in the Nordic countries
This trip goes into wilderness areas where assistance is unavailable and unexpected events can occur. Always use caution and make sure you know the conditions you might encounter. Do not attempt to hike on Padjelantaleden without a detailed hiking map. Consulting a guide book is wise, although as of spring 2017 no guide book in English is available. Off line GPS hiking maps for Padjelanta and Kvikkjokk-Jakkvik can be purchased via the app Calazo.
Padjelanta national park is part of the Laponia UNESCO World Heritage site. The area is a Sámi region, where reindeer husbandry and other traditional livelihoods are still practised.
It is possible to hike Padjelantaleden in either direction. At Ritsem, the Fjäll (mountain landscape) consists of higher and steeper fells than in Kvikkjokk, where the trail leads through forest sections. This article describes the direction from Kvikkjokk to Ritsem, thus providing a climactic scenic experience for most travellers.
In this article, we concentrate on a summer hike.
There is also the possibility of going in the winter, but only with the right skills. You will need skis suitable for off-track skiing. The trail markings can be obscured by snow and there is less service; the huts are not necessarily manned, but one of the huts in any of the camps should be open. Beware of snow storms in open areas, and Arctic temperatures. The huts are manned at Easter, which is about the best time for winter hikes.
The huts in the national park itself are maintained by the local Sámi communities through
- Badjelánnda Laponia Turism, Storgatan 40, Jokkmokk, ☎+46 70 281 30 03, e-mail: padjelanta@padjelanta.com. (updated Apr 2017)
Some huts, such as at the trailheads, are maintained by the Swedish tourist association, STF.
. . . Padjelantaleden . . .