Two hikers walk among sunny mountain peaks

Hiking tips

Hiking in and around Riksgränsen.

Accommodation

June – September

Hiking in Riksgränsen in the summer is an experience you’ll never forget. Here, you’ll be greeted by majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and the magical midnight sun that never quite sets. Whether you choose a shorter hike or a full day on the trail, nature offers tranquility, magnificent views, and a sense of freedom that only the mountains can provide.

The yellow boundary stone between Sweden and Norway on Riksgränsfjället

6-8 km round trip

Riksgränsfjället – on the summit and border to Norway

Imagine leaving behind the warm aroma of coffee at Meteorologen, lacing up your boots, and immediately breathing in the crisp, clean mountain air. Hiking up Riksgränsfjället in the summer is a journey into a dramatic, barren, and almost otherworldly landscape. Here you’ll encounter glistening rock slabs, babbling meltwater, and sparkling snowfields that stubbornly linger in the summer sun. It’s a hike that makes your heart beat a little faster—both from the satisfying challenge and the magnificent views that open up with every step you take.

When you reach the summit and gaze out over the seemingly endless sea of mountain peaks stretching far into Norway, you’ll feel a deep, total sense of freedom. It’s right here, where the winds meet, that you understand why Riksgränsen is so beloved.

Quick facts for your adventure

  • Feeling and difficulty: An inspiring and delightful challenge (Intermediate). You will walk in genuine alpine terrain with firm snowfields and rocky paths. No climbing is required, but your ankles will thank you for a pair of sturdy hiking boots.

  • Hike length: Approximately 3–4 km to the summit (6–8 km total). A perfect half-day trip where you'll be back in time for a good dinner.

  • Elevation gain You start at 520 meters and climb to around 950 meters above sea level. The approximately 450 meters of elevation gain will give you a great workout and an unbeatable reward at the summit.

  • Prerequisites You love to move and have a normal level of fitness. The Arctic weather is alive and changes quickly – so pack a smile, a warm sweater, and a shell jacket in your backpack, even if the sun is shining when you start.

Purple mountain tulips in bloom in the foreground of a babbling brook

8 – 13 km round trip

Katterjåkk to Katterjaure – accompanied by the flowing water

Imagine the sound of flowing, crystal-clear meltwater accompanying you like a faithful companion through the landscape. The hike from Riksgränsen, via Katterjåkk, up to the hidden mountain lake Katterjaure, is a gentle yet profoundly magnificent experience. Here you hike along the river’s roaring waterfalls and calm pools, where nature feels both wild and welcoming at the same time.

As you make your way upward, the landscape opens its arms to you. The dramatic silhouettes of the Nordals mountain rise majestically on one side, and if you turn your gaze backward, you’ll be met by sweeping views of the Norwegian border mountains. The reward awaits at the end of the road: the mirror-like, turquoise-blue Lake Katterjaure, beautifully nestled in an amphitheater of rugged mountain peaks. It’s the ultimate spot to unpack your thermos, sit in the grass, and just listen to the silence. And for the adventurous? Well, a dip in the ice-cold, refreshing, and completely pure glacial water is a memory guaranteed to make you feel more alive than ever.

You can choose to make the trip a little longer and start right from the doorstep at Riksgränsen, or take the shorter route from the neighboring village.

Quick facts for your adventure

  • Difficulty: Easy. This is a wonderfully accessible and family-friendly hike. The trail is well-trodden and easy to follow, allowing you to put all your focus on enjoying the surroundings rather than watching your step.

  • Materials and equipment: The trail is soft and nice, but since you are walking near water and might sometimes need to cross small streams or wet patches (especially in early summer), a pair of comfortable, waterproof hiking shoes or light boots is your very best option.

  • For whom? For everyone! No prior knowledge is required at all, just a desire to experience real, arctic mountain magic at a slightly calmer and more harmonious pace. Don't forget your towel and an extra warm sweater to snuggle into after that promised dip!

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Start at Riksgränsen – ~13 km round trip

Let the adventure begin right at the trailhead. You can easily make your way over to Katterjåkk along beautiful trails in the borderlands before starting the hike up along the stream.

Elevation meters Approximately 200 meters of elevation gain. A pleasant and gradual ascent where you barely notice you're climbing until you see the view behind you.

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Start from the neighboring village Katterjåkk – 8 km round trip

If you want to shorten the route, park or get off the train at Katterjåkk (just a couple of minutes from Riksgränsen) and join the trail right where the stream meets the village.

Elevation meters Approximately 140 meters of gentle, rolling ascent.

Bride's veil lake on the Norwegian side

16 km round trip

The gravel road to Brudeslørvatnet: A hike full of history, swimming, and magical views

Do you want to experience a hike where every turn tells a story and the landscape constantly shifts character? The tour along the historic navvies' road over to the Norwegian side is a gentler, but nonetheless magnificent experience. Here you will walk in the footsteps of the navvies, surrounded by lush mountain birches and charming, colorful Norwegian cabins climbing the mountainsides.

The goal of the trip is Brudeslørvatnet – a mirror-smooth, hidden mountain lake that practically invites a fresh and invigorating dip. But don't stop there. If you follow the water's path to the lake's edge, you'll encounter a natural phenomenon that takes most people's breath away: a magical waterfall plunging over a cliff, with a breathtaking view of the deep blue Rombaksfjord, complete with WWII shipwrecks on the bottom. It's a place made for sitting on a sun-warmed rock, enjoying a cup of coffee, and simply soaking in life.

Quick facts about your adventure

Prerequisites and tips

This tour is suitable for almost everyone with a desire to hike! The terrain is gentle, consisting mostly of fine gravel roads and well-trodden paths. All you need is a comfortable pair of running shoes or light hiking boots, your swimwear, a camera, and a valid ID card in your pocket, as you will actually be crossing a national border on foot.

Start at Riksgränsen – ~16 km round trip

Here, you step out the door at Meteorologen and start your hike right away. You’ll enjoy a lovely, gentle warm-up along the border before turning off into Norway.

  • Distance & Height: About 15–16 km round trip with approximately 250–300 pleasant meters of elevation gain spread throughout the day.

  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate – the terrain is kind, but the total distance makes it feel like a real full day for your legs.

Start from Bjørnfjell Station – ~10 km round trip

Perfect for families or for those who want to save their legs and get straight to the very best. Take the train or car across the border and start right in the middle of the idyll.

  • Distance and height: Approximately 10 km round trip and very gentle 150 meters of elevation gain.

  • Difficulty: Easy and accessible. A perfect introduction to the mountain world.