Particularities

High Peaks, Hidden History: A Journey Through Lapland's Diverse Landscapes

Embark on a uniquely beautiful day trip that guides you through every vegetation zone of the mountain landscape. Discover profound solitude and endless expanse in the highlands, a stunning contrast to the lively rush of streams and the peaceful quiet of the subalpine birch forest.

The Victoria Church: A Remote Gem

Our journey also leads us to the historic Victoria Church, an extraordinary sight built between 1936 and 1938. This unique endeavor was spearheaded by Göte Haglund, then pastor in Ammarnäs. While local donations funded much of the construction, a pivotal anonymous gift of 12,000 SEK came with a fascinating stipulation: the church had to be named in honor of Queen Victoria of Baden (Germany), who had passed away in 1930. The mysterious donor was later revealed to be Axel Munthe Fredrik Martin, the former royal court physician.

The church's location on "Överst Jukton" is truly spectacular. Astonishingly, when it was built, it lay 60 km from the nearest road. Today, a small road leads directly to this remote sanctuary.

For years, the church's upkeep posed a financial challenge for the Sorsele parish, prompting them to seek a new owner. Happily, a new guardian for this special place has now been found. Services continue to be held three times annually during the summer. Please note, the church is closed to visitors on other days.

Tour description

Our tour commences at the picturesque Viktoriakyrkan on Överst Juktån. Immediately behind the church, we pick up a well-defined footpath leading into the enchanting arctic birch forest. This romantic trail meanders across several small bridges spanning crystal-clear creeks, as we gently gain altitude. Before leaving the birches behind, we pause at a serene stream, a perfect spot to refill our bottles with pure mountain water.

After a refreshing lunch, our hike continues, gradually transitioning from birch forest to dwarf birch. Approximately three hours into our journey, we leave the treeline completely and step into the vast, open highlands. The trail here is clearly marked with old stone slabs, guiding us in a northwesterly direction.

The highest point of our trek is reached on a nameless hill, approximately 2,900 feet above sea level, before the path gently descends again. From this vantage, a magnificent panorama unfolds: sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, and on a clear day, the distant glint of Lake Gautsträsket. Ahead of us, roughly two hours away, lies the verdant valley of Vindelälven.

We follow the contours of Gautsträsket for a while, then turn right, re-entering the birch forest. Pressing onward, we encounter an old snowmobile trail that eventually leads us to a small forest road. We continue our descent along this road to Kraddsele, the endpoint of our tour, where we will be picked up.

Requirements

Go with a light pack in roadless terrain for a long time must be ensured.

Prices

900 SEK/pers. (from 2 participants)