Shirley and I hiked 310 kms of the Nordlandsruta from Katterat to Sulitjelma. The route is located in the far North of Norway, just above the Arctic Circle and along the border between Norway and Sweden. We started in the Narvik mountains and finished in Laponia World Heritage Area and near the Padjelante National Park. More about the trail can be found here.
The trail was good. We had a very dry year, so the river crossings were easier than normal and the swamps not so swampy. There were not many people on the trail, especially at the beginning, so we had the Norwegians huts all to ourselves (mostly). Once we crossed the border over to Sweden, then the trail got busier and we mostly stayed in our tents. In total we spent 16 days on the trail having a wonderful time. Shirley was an amazing hiking partner. We slowed each other down, as I walk slower than Shirley and she likes to walk shorter distances each day than me. No significant body or gear failures for me, which always makes a trip just that much more enjoyable. Food re-supply options were quite limited, so we set off with 14 days of food in our 20 kg backpacks. We walked slowly at the beginning and until we were able to eat our way through our significant food supplies. Towards the end of the trip some small Sami shops allowed us to resupply on the trail, and this was very nice.
Maybe one day I will come back and finish the rest of the 340 kms that make up the Nordlandsruta?
The start of the trail. We got off the train at Katterat. Short first day, but happy to be on the trailWide open views of the Narvik Mountains. So beautiful and so lonely. We saw very few people during the first week.Our first Reindeer sighting. The same herd of 8 or 9 reindeer were quite curious about us. The reindeer in this region are very domesticated, and not that afraid of us.The highest point on the trail for us, and pass between Cáihnavággihytta and Gautelishytta. It was raining a little, but we made it over the rocky seciotn without incident.Rivers to cross. Fortunately this year it was a dry year, so the river crossings were quite easy.Bodø is the current European Capital for Culture. And as part of this, Kimmo from Finland was on the trail making art.Year round bridges. This one was just after Paurohytta.This bridge was just past Akka Fjällstuga. The lakes are all regulated for Hydro-electric power generation. The swamps are boarded over in Laponia. Makes walking easier, I guess.Midnight sun. It never really got dark.Cleaning fish for dinner. Fish was donated by other Norwegians staying at the same cabin as us.We were able to buy dried Artic Char and freshly baked bread from the local Sami shop keepers. Not a huge fan of dried fish, but this was tasty.Can also buy more normal things at the shops. Life is good in the mountains.Taking it easy on the trail. We got into the practice of stopping for 45 to 60 minutes for lunch. Even making a cup of tea.One of our favourite cabins. So cute.The final cabin and the end of the trip for us both. I had to head back to Belgium and my time in Europe was running out. Shirley was forced off the trail due a nasty little mosquito bite.
