Ruonekjåhkå-Laisstugan-Nasafjäll

This trail
stretch is unique in the Swedish mountains, with few hikers and a beautiful,
majestic panorama towards the high mountains and two valleys. The hike is
between the rivers Skellefteälven and Laisälven.

Ruonekjåhkå–Laisstugan cabin, 18 km

You start
at a stopover cabin near the roaring Ruonekjåhkå stream. One kilometre from
Ruonekjåhkå you come to an area dense in osier. On the west side there is an abandoned Sámi goahte hut – this area is part of the
lands of Semisjaur-Njarg Sámi community.

The trail’s
highest point lies at 1,130 m asl., c. 2 kilometres south-west of the summit
Gujkkultjårro, 1,207 m asl. The Sámi name gujkkul means roughly ”mountain ridge
that dries itself”. On the north-western side of the trail rises the mountain
Ruonektjåhkkå to 1,515 m asl. After the wooden bridge across Dádtjajåhkå, the
terrain becomes more low-lying. There are no plankways. If you want to keep
your shoes drier you can stay closer to the slope and re-join the trail later.

This is a beautiful hike!

It is easy to become euphoric when your gaze meets
the deep Laisdalen Valley and the mountains to the east. The terrain is green
but rocky. The last 10 km to the Laisstugan cabin slopes downwards. Soon you
reach an area dense in osier and a strong flowing stream. Where the trail
indicates, you cannot wade across without water reaching above the knees.
However, 350 metres upstream it is shallower.

Right next
to the broad and gushing river lies the Laisstugan cabin. You can spend the
night here if you have pre-booked. You book and rent the key to the overnight
room via Adolfströms Handelsbod, +46(0)961-230 41. One room in the cabin is open to day
visitors.

Laisstugan–Nasafjäll, 30 km

The trail
continues along Laisälven River, but first you cross a bridge over a fast
flowing river – Áksjojåhkå. It is a breathtakingly
beautiful place which invites a stopover or overnight stop in a tent. What
remains now is a 30 km stretch to Nasafjäll.

The first c. 18 kilometres mainly
comprise level hiking ground which sometimes follows the X-signs of the winter
trail. In places the hiking is fine, but some stretches are wet and rocky. The hiker preferably walks the
drier parts closer to the river, then switching to higher ground when the
terrain becomes richer in osier and low-lying.

Historically,
this was part of a trade route to Norway. In the mining era on Nasafjäll in the
1770s the trail led to a smeltery at Adolfström. The mining era ended in the
1810s. If while hiking you look westwards you can see Skuortatjåhkka mountain
which reaches 1,290 m asl. Here too there was mining – in the years 1975–1977.
At a distance you can see two reindeer herder cabins at Sierggasuolo. They
belong to Svaipa Sámi community.

However,
your sights are now set on the historical orefield on the south slope of Nása
mountain. The last 3 km stretch takes you higher. The vegetation is very
sparse, the terrain is rocky and soon you can see the mine openings. Downstream from the mine
openings the land is
contaminated. So take your drinking water outside the signposted area.

A short
way south of the mine cabin there is grassland where you can pitch a tent. The
mine cabin at Nasafjäll is intended for short stopovers and has room for 7–8
people. There is a table, seating and emergency telephone on the site, but
there is no stove or latrine. You may only spend the night in an emergency.
Outside the cabin there is a grill facility.

If you do
not wish to hike the same trail back you can hike on via Guijaure (the
Verdejaure-Guijaure trail). You can also take the connected trail westwards
into Norway. That trail is just over 7 kilometres long.

Duration: Total 2–3 days