NORDKALOTTLEDEN
The Nordkalottleden is part of the E1 – a european long distance path, and has 2 starting/ending points: Kautokeino – Sulitjelma or Kautokeino – Kikkjokk. We chose to hike southbound from Kautokeino to Sulitjelma, covering 650km (400 miles) in 21 days. This trail has everything to make your life miserable, especially when you start in July: Mosquitos, LOTS of mosquitos, wind, rain, cold, heat, glaciers, rivers and more. However, if you are willing to endure all that, the trail will reward you with some stunning landscapes that you can experience in solitude.
No darkness
After a long day of travelling we finally arrived in Alta on a campsite. After a little while we started getting sleepy and, even though it was 11AM the sun was still shining bright. After a quick google search we came to the conclusion that the sun does not go down, not at all. Luckily we were able to buy a sleeping mask shortly after. Even though the lack of darkness was strange at first, the long hours did allow us to hike for as long as we wanted. The picture above was taken on the trail at 02:00AM.
Why?
The idea of this hike came after finishing the Icelandic North-South traverse. At first, 625km seemed a bit too far, however, after a quick calculation it seemed possible. Even though this is our longest hike so far, the preparation was relatively easy. Find out how exactly we managed to do this by pressing on the logistics button on this page.
Why is a question we have often asked ourselves during this hike. To be honest, like most of our adventures, it is not always fun. But this is what makes you appreciate the small things during the day. A midge-free pitch, a refreshing swim in one of the many rivers or simply the views.
Video
The video on the right is a compilation of all the GoPro footage we captured during our trip. It offers a glimpse into the terrain, weather, and various conditions you’ll experience while hiking the Nordkalottleden. If you’re looking to prepare further, use the buttons above and below to explore more about the logistics, gear, and route!
