Arjeplogsfjäll and Sulitjelma Circuit

The following is a report about my 2022 backpacking trip in Arjeplogsfjäll including a circuit around the Sulitjelma mountains in Swedish and Norwegian Lapland.

Jäkkvik – Tjállas – Gujjávrre – Lomtjärnen – Silvervägen

From Jäkkvik I followed Kungsleden south and then continued pathless to the west – touching the the small Pieljekaise National Park. The pathless section from the small Sami settlement Tjállas up to the pass near Gujkkultjårro was strenuous with lots of brush and wet areas.

Except for the first two days I mostly encountered very changeable weather, rain, strong wind and low temperatures. Apart from two Sami persons I met nobody until shortly before the pass road 95 (“Silvervägen”). I was quite surprised about that as there is a marked trail from Ruonekjåhka. Sometimes it is quite overgrown and swampy in places. It is a beautiful area; I especially liked the section near Gujjávrre. But also before, there are beautiful views along the way.

Silvervägen – Ikkesjávrre – Mávasjávrre

After crossing the pass road I continued along the trail via Jurun and the small lake Jurunjávree, to beautiful Ikkesjávrre which has one of the largest sand beaches in Lapland’s mountains to Mávasjávrre and the Sami settlement Mavas. For crossing Mávasjávrre I used a packraft as there was no boat service provided in 2022 (I don’t know how it will be in the following years). I camped at the northern lakeshore and was surprised with the northern lights during the night – probably nature’s birthday present as I had just turned one year older.

Mávasjávrre – Pieskehaure – Ny Sulitjelma – Sorjushytta

The marked trail (which I lost in places as it is sometimes hard to see and follow) from Mavas leads to the large and beautiful lake Pieskehaure. Again, I was lucky and got a display of the aurora when camped above Pieskehaure.

After following the western lakeshore I turned to the north-west, crossed the Norwegian border and walked along the lakes Eidevatnet and Lomivatnet (the latter is a reservoir). Going on, I encountered several day-hikers. After some roadwalking I slept in Lomihytta which is a small and cozy hut. Unfortunately, quite a lot of construction work has been done recently near the adjacent hydro power station, and thus the area is not as untouched as it seems in the photo of the hut below. The next day I continued to Ny Sulitjelma Fjellstue. Ascending to Storelvvatnan and then to a pass it seemed that I left all people behind and was alone once more. I was the only person spending the night at Sorjushytta.

Sorjushytta – Sårjåsjávrre – Stáddajåhkå – Gájlávágge – Pieskehaure

This section completes a circuit around the Sulitjelma mountain massif. At Sårjåsjávrre I crossed back over border to Sweden, had a lunch break at the tiny Sårjåsjaurestugan and then turned south along Nordkalottleden. Following the stream Stáddajåhkå there are some beautiful waterfalls and rapids.

After two additional nights I arrived again at Pieskehaure, this time at the northern lakeshore. The STF hut at the lake was already closed for the season.

Pieskehaure – Vaimok – Tarradalen – Kvikkjokk

From Pieskehaure I basically followed Nordkalottleden and later Padjelantaleden to Kvikkjokk. There’s quite an ascent at Muorannjunnje which leads to beautiful views towards Pieskehaure and the mountains beyond (I spent a night there).

Moving on to lake Vaimok (spelled also Vájmok) I made use of the packraft on the lake to get to the huts instead of climbing up to Vájmokbákte and back down again. If you’ve never been in the area, I highly recommend the ascent, as there are beautiful views across the lake. I’d been there before though.

After sleeping in the “safety room” of the Vaimok hut my hike continued along Gurávágge (Nordkalottleden). Just before descending into Tarradalen there are beautiful views across the valley and Tarraure. The documentary camping image below has been taken there.

The final section in Tarradalen was very beautiful as the birches were in peak autumn color and everything seemed so vibrant in the sunshine. The river Tarraätno also has some rapids and at least one waterfall worth seeing.