Padjelantaleden
It is a 140km week long hike in Sweden which starts in Kvikkjokk and ends in Ritsem.
It took six nights and seven days walking. It is not difficult terrain and in Staloluokta which is half way through, there is a kiosk where you can collect all the food you need to complete it. So you only really need to carry three days of food. You can hut to hut and do not need to camp. There are no difficult river crossings although there are a couple that you will need to remove boots.
Stages
Stage 1 - 9th of July 2023 - Kvikkjokk to Tarrekaise - 22.9km 8hrs:19mins - Ascent 416m - Descent 240m - Avg Speed 2.8km/h
A short walk from the Kvikkjokk mountain station to an upstream boat ride that leaves every morning. You are dropped off on a birch tree lined trail which is mosquito full. I have done this stage twice and the first year there were many more mosquitos than 2023. Enjoyable first stage. This is a birch forest walk . Difficult enough track with a number of bridges over rivers. Pass Njunjes hut after 16km and then was quite marshy following. Steep climb after Njunjes with great views. Tarrekaise has a lot of mosquitos but you can go for a nice dip in the lake.
Stage 2 - 10th July 2023 - Tarrekaise to Tarraluoppal - 27,89km 10hrs:00mins - Ascent 604m - Descent 404m - Avg Speed 2.8km/h
This was a long day in very hot weather. After a couple of kms the trail splits off away from the Nordkallotleden and follows the river valley north. It is difficult enough terrain through birch forest and over small streams. After 13kms stopped at Sammarlappa stf hut which has a shop for lunch. Then had the unfortunate experience of standing on a wasps nest and given they would not leave me alone we needed to hike on to Tarraluppal to stay indoors in a hut. After the river with the large bridge is good camping and so is after smaller stream on the way but not a lot before Sammarlappa. The Tarraluoppal hut area is nice with it easy to wash in the river and they have a small shop.
Stage 3 - 11th July 2023 - Tarraluoppal to Tuottar - 10km - 3hrs:16mins Ascent 394m Descent 194m - Avg Speed 3.1km/h
Easy day with the only difficulty being a couple of streams that boots needed to be taken off to cross. The terrain is above the birch trees and is a lot more open with views towards Sarek national Park. Cabins are very nice with a small shop.
Stage 4 - 12th July 2023 - Tuottar to Staloluokta - 18km - 5hrs:10min Ascent 357 - Descent 654m - Avg Speed 3.4km/h
Very lucky as there was a strong wind when we did this and it was on our backs. More open hiking with quite a good bit of up and down but easy terrain a bit marshy by the lakes but wonderful views towards Norway. Finish in the Sami settlement of Staloluokta which has a good shop and the hut has a sauna right by a lake which is fantastic.
Stage 5 - 13th July 2023 - Stalolukta to Laddejakka 25km - 7hrs:07mins Ascent 843m Descent 857m Avg Speed 3.3km/h
Beautiful stage with quite a lot of vertical after you pass Arasluokta at 12km but there are some amazing views over the lake and Norway beyond and a beautiful river crossing before a steep up and long down to Laddejakka which has a wonderful river and Sami host and the river has pools which are fantastic to bathe in they are back across the river and in the direction away from the hut.
Stage 6 - 14th of July 2023 - Laddejakke to Kisuris 23km - 6hrs:05min Ascent 540m - Descent 539m - Avg Speed 3.6km/h
There are two ways to go here one the shorter version is over the top of the mountain just after the river crossing following the steep up hill to start. The other is around the mountain where you can also follow the Nordkalottleden. I have done both and they both are great with super views. Kisuris is the return to birch trees and mosquitos . I did not find the hut complex particularly nice and seems to be an overnight stopping post to go elsewhere.
Stage 7 - 15th of July 2023 - Kisuris to Ritsem - 14km - 3hrs:28mins Ascent 193m Descent 312m Avg Speed 3.75km/h
Short final stage through birch forests . It was wet underfoot in places but an easy finish. You need to get a boat over the lake to Ritsem but in season there is a regular daily helicopter taxi service which is not much more expensive than the boat. Great option. Ritsem Fjallstation is a good place to stop overnight, to have a shower, it has an ok shop and you can get packages sent there. It also has a daily bus service out.