04.10 Røysvatn - Vaisaluokta

There is a large gap in the Scandinavian hut system between the Røysvatn Hut and Vaisaluokta. The lack of huts is one of the main reasons why this section is rarely traveled. So you have to be prepared for sparse markings and rarely used trails here. In addition to the route described here, you can also follow the Gränsleden trail to Ritsem and then take a boat across to Vaisaluokta.

From the Røysvatn Hut, the trail initially heads south through rocky terrain that tends to be quite snowy. Starting at the Swedish border, which you reach after about 2 km, the landscape becomes greener and the snowfields fewer. The trail does not descend steeply, but the slope is noticeable. After about 4 km, you reach the junction of the Nordkalottleden (E1) and the Gränsleden. The signpost that used to stand there now lies in pieces on the ground.

If you continue along the Nordkalottleden, you’ll enter a landscape that, according to the map, is supposed to be gently sloping; in reality, however, the trail constantly winds up and down, as numerous streams have carved their way across the terrain at right angles to the path. After a while, you’ll come to a tributary of the Sårgåjávrre. There are frequent warnings about this river crossing. On old maps, the ford is marked significantly further downstream, but the trail markers follow the river quite a distance upstream before reaching a very well-marked fording point.

After crossing the river, the trail climbs quite steeply up the slope of the Rikkek before leveling off for the most part. Nevertheless, you’ll continue to cross small hills and narrow river valleys, so the hike remains strenuous. The Rikkekjåhkå is another river you’ll need to fords. After crossing the river, the trail climbs higher and the landscape changes from green to rocky gray. It leads up to the Gájssemierro plateau.

On the other side of the plateau, the trail descends relatively steeply toward the upper reaches of the Skájdejåhkå, which is forded just before it flows into a small lake. Beyond the ford, the trail climbs a small ridge. Afterward, the trail follows the slope of Skájdevárre, remaining at roughly the same elevation for the most part. To the left, you can see the wide plain through which the Skájdejåhkå flows, forming numerous lakes along the way. The trail is particularly poorly marked here, and due to the relatively dense vegetation and numerous rocks, progress is very difficult. The route heads toward the mighty Rautåive massif.

Finally, the trail descends from the slope of Skájdevárre to the edge of a marshy area. Here you’ll find a signpost pointing left toward Vaisaluokta. This is also the much more clearly visible path. According to the hiking map (and the track here), however, the Nordkalottleden/E1 continues to the right along the edge of the marshy area. The trail is poorly marked and difficult to follow, though. After a few marshy and a few drier sections, the correct path leads you to the Valldajåhkå ford. On the other side, the trail becomes more pleasant, passing through an easily navigable, flat scrubland.

Just before a narrow but deep marshy stream lies the junction with the trail from Hellemobotn to Vaisaluokta, which is marked on the hiking maps quite a bit further west. If you follow this trail westward (across the marshy stream), you’ll reach Hellemobotn after 12 km, where a ferry departs for Drag three times a week in the summer. Heading east, the trail continues on the E1 toward Vaisaluokta. From here on, the trail is once again very well-trodden and easily recognizable, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.

The landscape gradually transitions from shrub steppe to birch forest, with bogs to cross at regular intervals. From here on, the streams you cross are regularly spanned by bridges, and the bogs are mostly crossed via boardwalks. 13 kilometers before Vaisaluokta, there is an emergency shelter at Rávddajávrre where you can also spend the night. Finally, the trail reaches Akkajaure, where cell phone reception returns. Parallel to the lakeshore, the path continues along increasingly rocky trails to Vaisaluoktastugan. This is also where the ferry departs for Ritsem, where you can connect to the Swedish bus network.

Last text update: 23.08.2024

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