Arctic Hiking in Three Countries (Sweden, Finland & Norway)

Whichever tour you choose, they all have some elements in common:

• Breathtaking scenery in true wilderness areas with fully wild camping. Depending on the tour chosen, you will be hiking through terrain including tundra plateaus, mountains, valleys and wild sandy beaches. The hiking may be easy at times and challenging at others, with rivers to cross and rocky sections to negotiate.
• Led by experienced wilderness guide, with the opportunity to develop your skills and confidence in navigation and general mountaincraft during the tours. The tours are not courses and there is no formal or compulsory learning element, but all provide an excellent setting in which to practise your skills and to learn from the expertise of your guide.

With such freedoms come a few challenges - you'll be carrying everything you need with you for your hiking tour on your back - personal clothing, provisions and a share of camping and other communal equipment - so should expect that your backpack will weigh around 15-20kg.

The tours vary in duration from 6-8 days with degrees of challenge from medium to hard. You will require a good or high level of fitness depending on the tour chosen and will need to have previous experience in multi-day hiking tours carrying a backpack.

Cross-Border Trek - Three Countries in Six Days

The far north of Finland is a land of wide horizons - huge expanses of tundra as far as the eye can see, beautiful rolling mountains and pristine, clear lakes. For the hiker with a yearning for tranquility and a taste for adventure, it's a wonderful place!

The Three Country Cairn (which the Swedes call "Treriksröset", the Norwegians "Treriksrøysa" and the Finns "Kolmen valtakunnan rajapyykki") marks the point where the borders of Finland, Norway and Sweden meet. High above the Arctic Circle, this is a remote region with a very special atmosphere - the sense of space and silence here is almost palpable.

The tour includes summiting one of the many peaks in the area for a real appreciation of the scale of the landscape. Photo: AWG.

Beginning from the small settlement of Kilpisjärvi in Finland with a boat trip across the lake (payable locally), your hike will take you across the border into Norway and south into Sweden, before swinging east to complete a circular route and enter Finland once more.

The daily itinerary and route taken is flexible to a certain extent to take account of weather conditions and the ability of the group. The intention is to include at least one "peak tour" to one of the local summits. During the week you will be hiking at around 600-1000m above sea level.

Varanger - Pathless Tundra Hiking and Northern Lights

Far up in the north-east corner of Norway, Varangerhalvøya National Park is an ancient area of verdant valleys, wetlands and clear rivers.

Beginning from Komagdalen, you traverse the peninsula camping wild along the way. Total distance will be around 80-100km with generally moderate hiking terrain but also including some river crossings and rocky areas.

Taking place in September, this tour also offers good possibilities to see the Northern Lights during your hike. From late August onwards, the skies are dark enough for displays to be visible. You will be far away from light pollution and camping wild each night - so if the Northern Lights are dancing, you will certainly have a front row seat!

Rock fields in Varangerhalvøya National Park - just one of the spectacular landscapes you will hike through during the tour. Photo: AWG.

Sørøya (Norway) - Island Hiking at the Top of Europe

This wonderful tour takes you right across Sørøya, Norway's fourth largest island, high up in the Norwegian Sea, beginning from Hasvik in the south-west and ending at Akkerfjord in the north-east corner of the island.

As an island hike, dramatic coastal views spread out in all directions, with verdant hills, untouched white sand beaches and dramatic cliffs rising straight from the sea.

Wild camping on Sørøya - why would anyone stay in a hotel when your bed can have a view like this? Photo: AWG.

The island is an important habitat for birds and its thousands of lakes offer excellent fishing. Hiking terrain is tundra and generally easy-going, partly using an established trail but mostly off-track and also including some challenging sections.

Daily distances are typically 13.5-20km and you will cover around 100km in total during the tour.

Sarek (Sweden) - Mighty Glaciers and River Valleys Rich in Wildlife

A real "bucket list" destination, Sarek's dramatic landscapes are a dream for many seasoned hikers.

One of the oldest National Parks in Sweden, Sarek is a high alpine region with peaks rising to more than 2000m above sea level and over 100 glaciers. Sarek is also a haven for wildlife, and with luck you may see signs of wolverine, lynx, bear and the famed Sarek moose during the tour.

The breathtaking Rapadalen river valley is one of the iconic images of Sarek. Photo: AWG.

Beginning from the STF mountain station at Ritsem, you head along the Padjelanta trail before leaving the path to hike deep into Sarek National Park.

The tour takes you across the path from northwest to southest, covering around 120km in total. At times the hiking on relatively easy tundra but at others will be in very challenging terrain, with steep hills, river crossings, and the breathtaking Rapadalen river valley.

On Day 8, you reach the STF mountain station at Saltoluokta to overnight there before departure by boat and bus the following day.

Tent, cooking equipment and provisions supplied

High-quality tents (shared one per two persons), cooking stove, fuel and utensils are all included. A provisions pack is provided (paid separately on arrival) for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

You need only bring your backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, personal clothing, some extra snacks and of course your sense of adventure!

You'll be carrying everything you need with you during the tour, including camping equipment and food. Photo: AWG.

Days 2-5: Hiking and wild camping in 3 countries

The next four days of hiking will take you through remote and beautiful areas, leading south from the majestic valley of Isdalen to the verdant region of Rostadalen. Each night you will camp wild at a suitable spot.

From Rostadalen, you turn east and enter Sweden before heading north back towards Kilpisjärvi.

During the tour the intention will be to include a hike to the summit of one of the many peaks in the area such as Bárrás, Bealcán or Moskángáisi. You will be at an elevation of around 600-1000m above sea level throughout the tour.

There are few steep ascents - terrain is mostly undulating and height gain/loss moderate. The exact route and daily distances for your tour are flexible depending on weather conditions and the ability of the group. Typical daily distance 10-15km with a total of around 70km covered in total during the tour.

Day 6: Hiking and end

Today's hike brings you through the Malla Strict Nature Reserve and back to Kilipsjärvi for the end of the tour. Overnight in Kilipsjärvi independently before onward travel.

Days 2-6: Hiking in Varangerhalvoøya National Park

As you reach the northernmost point of the park, you turn west through a landscape of verdant valleys and mountain plateaus, reaching the highest point in the park during the tour.

During the hike, there will be an opportunity to develop and test your navigational skills and improve your knowledge of hillcraft.

The itinerary and daily distances are variable but you will typically cover 80-100km during the course of the week. There will be some rivers to cross and some very rocky terrain to provide challenges along the way.

Day 7: Hiking and end

Your tour ends at Komagdalen for local bus connection to Vadsø for overnight and onward travel.

Days 2-7: Hiking across Sørøya island

During the course of the tour, daily distances will vary between 13.5-20km covering approx. 100km over the course of the week. The area offers tundra hiking on generally easy terrain, but the tour will also include some more challenging sections.

For part of the tour, hiking will be on the "Sørøya på langs" trail and at other times off-track.

The tour offers spectacular island and coastal scenery with green rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and beautiful white, sandy beaches.

The island has thousands of small mountain lakes offering excellent fishing (a fishing permit will be required in advance if you wish to fish and guests must bring own fishing equipment - please contact us for details).

Day 7: Hiking and end

Today's hike brings you to the end point at Akkarfjord at the northern end of the island. From here you catch the ferry to Hammerfest. Guests departing by flight should leave there to overnight in Hammerfest before departure. An additional ferry service continues to Øksfjord for guests departing from there.

Days 2-7: Hiking in Sarek National Park

A week of challenging and adventurous hiking, as you explore the pathless wilderness of Sarek with daily distances 10-20km. The terrain can be challenging, including river crossings and some steep sections.

In some cases you will be able to follow paths made by the reindeer, but for the majority of the tour there will be no trails.

Day 8: Hiking and overnight at Saltoluokta

The last day brings to STF Saltoluokta mountain station, where the tour ends. Overnight independently at Saltoluokta before departure.

Day 9: Departure

From the mountain station, departure is by public bus across Lake Langas and a short walk to the Kebnats/Saltoluokta bus stop for onward travel.

NB: Provisions package (paid locally) must be added to all bookings.

Included

• Camping equipment: Tent (shared one per two persons - solo travellers will share tent with other same gender participant or have solo tent if odd-numbered group), cooking stove and fuel, cooking and eating utensils. Tents are typically 2-person Fjällräven or Helsport, weight 2-2.5kg. NB: Sleeping bag, sleeping mat and provisions are not included (provisions are provided but paid locally - see under "Prices").
• Activities: Hiking as per itinerary.
• Guide: Services of experienced guide. The guide will carry emergency safety and communication equipment (normally InReach communicator and First Aid kit).

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Food. A provisions pack is paid for locally on arrival (see under "Prices") and will provide provisions for breakfast, lunch and dinner (from dinner Day 1 to lunch on departure day). Participants should also bring own snacks, etc, for additional energy between meals. Please advise in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.
• Local boat and/or bus services as required depending on the tour. See under "Itinerary" for your chosen tour for details.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Suitable for adults (min. age 18 or min. 16 if travelling with an adult) with good or high level of health, fitness and stamina depending on tour chosen.

Participants must be used to multi-day hiking with a reasonably heavy backpack (typically 15-20kg/person) on mixed terrain. Terrain may be rocky or wet at times depending on conditions.

The tours feature wild camping on all nights in shared 2-person tents. You should have previous camping experience and be used to living in close proximity with others.

Level of challenge and daily distances vary depending on the tour chosen. See under "Itinerary" for more information.

• Cross-Border Trek (Medium): Daily distances 10-15km, total distance around 70km. General good level of fitness required.
• Varanger (Medium): Total distance around 80-100km. Tundra landscape with pleasant hiking terrain. The tour will include some challenging parts such as river crossings and rugged, rocky sections. General good level of fitness required.
• Sørøya (Medium): Daily distances 13.5-20km, total distance around 100km. Tundra landscape with relatively easy off-trail hiking and some on-trail sections, but also including some challenging terrain at times. General good level of fitness required.
• Sarek (Hard): Daily distances 10-20km, total distance around 120km. Hiking on tundra surrounded by high mountains. Terrain will include some very challenging sections including rocky slopes and river crossings. General high level of fitness required.

What makes these tours "Medium-Hard"?

The tours take place in remote areas with mixed terrain, and the element of wild camping also adds to the level of challenge. You will be carrying all equipment with you for the full duration of the tour, so backpacks will be reasonably heavy (typically 15-20kg).

Daily distances are moderate, between 10-20km depending on the tour. Hiking will be mostly off-track with some on-trail sections depending on the tour. Terrain may include some steep and rocky sections and some river crossings may be required. Please refer to information for your chosen tour under "Itinerary" for details.

The emphasis is on enjoying the beauty and remoteness of the areas. There is a certain amount of flexibility to adjust the level of challenge depending on conditions and the ability of the group.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Minimum number:

This experience requires total minimum 5 persons to be confirmed to run. You are of course welcome to book as a solo traveller.

Groups

Max. group size for public tours 8 participants. This experience is also suitable as a private tour for groups. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a detailed written environmental policy.