Sweden’s highest mountain station

I’ve been here plenty of times — in summer as well as in winter — and I guess that’s why I’m already thinking about the waffles. I’m trying to decide whether to go for cloudberry or raspberry jam. Still, in the end, I give in: it has to be cloudberries — I’m in Swedish Lapland after all, and the berry is in many ways synonymous with Låktatjåkko, as the mountain hut has used the cloudberry in its logo for a long time. If you want to add additional heavenly flavours, go for the waffle with cloudberries and Västerbotten-cheese!

The hut was built in 1939, in the middle of a raging war. The land west of Kiruna was a roadless land, and hiking paths and watercourses were used for all transport. Sure, the railway was built back in 1902, and even if the railroad was called ‘the Ore Line’ and used for ore, tourists could go by train up to Björkliden.

People have always been interested in locations that are highest up and furthest away, so it was decided that a hut would be built in the Luoktačohkka mountain pass. It was probably no coincidence that it was built during the war, but since then — the end of the Second World War — the 75-year-old hut has served us, life-loving mountain hikers, in style. Not all mountain huts in Sweden offer you a bit of la dolce vita between bare rock outcrops, moss and last winter’s snow, but ‘Låkta’ is definitely one of those places; after your three-course dinner, you just want to huddle up in front of the fireplace and enjoy the contents of your cognac cup.

Mountain hiking

Indeed, Swedish-style mountain hiking has always been like a snail struggling with its heavy load across the land, but something is charming about this, too. Carrying your own house on your back. I don’t mind it. I’ve got nothing against sleeping in a tent and carrying heavy loads. At no other point in life will it be easier to choose a room with a view than when you’re effectively carrying it. Soon you will understand that ‘the road is worth the effort’ every time you set off on a hike through the mountains of Swedish Lapland. In the past, it was all about getting from a to b whilst carrying a slightly too heavy rucksack. Perhaps power through all the stretches on Kungsleden — the King’s Trail.

But lately, the focus has changed slightly. More hikers opt to go to one place and then walk shorter-day trips from that starting point. You get a comfortable and organised evening but will still enjoy hikes during the day. Personally, I also appreciate the simplicity and comfort of staying somewhere nice and — above all — eating well. Life becomes much less about planning and more about possibilities; you can really seize the day when you choose shorter day trips, and all you have to worry about is what drink will go best with your food.

Discover the mountains

Björkliden is near Låktatjåkko, as mentioned above. Further west is Riksgränsen and to the east the famous hiking attraction Abisko: the starting or finishing point for the King’s Trail, depending on your disposition. You can also combine Abisko and Riksgränsen via Rallarvägen. Kebnekaise is yet another exciting destination for the mountain hiker who prefers day trips, of course. Further south in Swedish Lapland is Saltoluokta, just by the border to the World Heritage Laponia, a place that has become a true paradise for the life-lover escaping from reality.

And yet a bit further south is Ammarnäs, right in the middle of Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve where a whole new system of shorter trails has been inaugurated this year, with perfect timing, ‘for hikers who prefer trails that are always within easy reach of a glass of wine’. To hike in the mountains doesn’t have to mean hardship any more. Rather, it can be pure pleasure.

The food

But back to Låktatjåkka. Back to the mountain pass between two peaks, back to a beautiful view and home-like atmosphere. Back to the question of whether to have another Låkta-waffle or do a bit of trail running before dinner. But really: why choose? There’s an opportunity here for both. The yin and yang of the mountains: first a bit of effort, then the reward. The reverse order works as well.

Dinner today, I read, consists of mini beetroot patties with goat’s cheese balls covered in pine nuts served with smoked reindeer heart as a starter, elk entrecôte with Hasselback baked potatoes and fried chanterelles for mains and also because at least I’m thinking about running, the dessert is tempting: dark chocolate cake with spicy pears and vanilla ice-cream. Exactly the kind of stuff I love.