Nikkaluokta, gateway to the wilderness
- Krisztina Kauker
- May 7
- 1 min read
No road, no power lines lead beyond this point, only mountain trails. That’s why many people come here, to escape the noise of civilization, and even in mid-April quite a few set off hiking toward the snowy peaks.
Nikkaluokta is a traditional Sámi village, where reindeer herding and fishing are still a big part of life. Because of this, in the small café you’ll find several portrait paintings of well-known Sámi people, and in the little shop there are handmade products created by Sámi artisans.
This is where the trail to Sweden’s highest mountain begins, for those who want to climb the 2097-meter summit of Kebnekaise.
The Fjällräven Classic trail also starts here, with around 1500 people setting off each year to hike the 110 km to Abisko.
The small village also has a simple wooden chapel, built for the mountain wanderers. Sometimes baptisms or weddings are held here, with the mountains and endless wilderness as a backdrop.
Would you do the 110 km Fjällräven Classic hike?
Maybe one day I will, but I’ll make sure to be well prepared.
P.S. Last week, two mountain rescuers lost their lives on the Kebnekaise heights... deeply tragic, and moments like this always remind me how unimaginable the power of nature can be... Vila i Frid.
