TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
The Fjällräven Classic Sweden trail starts in Nikkaluokta, but getting there can be a little tricky without a car. We take care of the logistics once you arrive in Kiruna, which is the region’s transport hub. You’ll need to get to Kiruna on your own – our top tip is to take the Trekkers Train!
The highly popular Trekkers Train will keep rolling in 2024
The highly popular Trekkers Train will keep rolling in 2024
The Trekkers Train is an event train where you travel together with other Fjällräven Classic participants from Stockholm up to Kiruna. Afternoon departures on Wednesday 7 August and Thursday 8 August. The return journey goes directly from the Abisko tourist station to Stockholm. Late afternoon departures on Wednesday 14 August and Thursday 15 August.
Onboard the Trekkers Train, you can prepare for your trekking adventure together with the other participants. Fjällräven Classic hosts and specially invited guests will be on the train too, offering workshops, tips and tricks for your trek.
Traveling by night train is a simple, sustainable way to reduce your carbon footprint. You can choose between a sleeping compartment and a couchette and can book for a whole group or just an individual seat. You book and pay for your Trekkers Train ticket when you register for Fjällräven Classic and no later than May. The seats on the train are then allocated with the tickets sent out by our partner, Vy Tåg, via email. If you missed the chance to book the Trekkers Train, you can still book a trip on the same train but via VY’s regular booking system.
You can of course book standard train tickets from Vy. On the train up, you can really take in Sweden’s magnificent nature outside your window, arriving refreshed and ready for an unforgettable trek. Remember to plan your trip to Kiruna so that you give yourself at least one day to prepare everything, such as check-in, food, checking your equipment, etc. You can also book tickets for all buses and trains at SJ.
You can also fly. Flights from Stockholm take around 1.5 hours. For flight bookings, head to SAS or Norwegian Airlines.
Transfer in Kiruna
We arrange transport from Kiruna airport and Kiruna railway station to our check-in at Högalidskolan. Shuttle buses run from Kiruna airport around every 50 minutes and from the railway station around every 30 minutes in conjunction with each arrival. Buses to the Fjällräven Classic check-in operate from Thursday 8 August to Saturday 10 August at 2pm. Don’t worry if the bus is not there when you leave the airport or train station, it will come. Our hosts are there to help.
Bus transport from Högalidskolan to the start in Nikkaluokta is included. This is the place you book when you buy your start ticket.
Bus transport from Högalidskolan to the start in Nikkaluokta is included. This is the place you book when you buy your start ticket.
Car parking
If you come by car and want to leave it in Kiruna while you trek Fjällräven Classic Sweden, there are a limited number of parking spaces at the Högalidsskolan base camp. There is additional parking at Matojärvi ice rink, which is about 350 metres from Högalidskolan.
Transfer from Abisko
We arrange transport from Abisko to Kiruna city centre and Kiruna airport for all flights from Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August. This transport is not included in the price of your ticket. The Abisko-Kiruna bus ticket costs SEK 200 and can be purchased at the finish line in Abisko. Please note that you must buy the ticket as soon as possible after you finish. The bus normally takes just over an hour to reach Kiruna Bus Station and 1 hour 20 minutes to Kiruna Airport. In addition to these buses, there are regular trains and other buses. You can check the regional bus timetables here: www.ltnbd.se and trains here: www.vy.se. Trains from Abisko to Kiruna continue all the way to Stockholm, and you can also take the train further south or to Narvik in Norway.
We will upload timetables here for the Fjällräven Classic buses from Abisko to Kiruna C and Kiruna Airport as soon as they are ready, probably in May/June.
Accommodation
During the trek, you'll sleep in tents wherever you like, of course, but before and after the trek, you have a few options, some with more amenities than others.
Kiruna: Camp Ripan next to Högalidsskolan – Hotel rooms, cottages and camping. Telephone 0980-630 00. Scandic Hotell Ferrum – Hotel rooms. Telephone 0980-39 86 00.
Nikkaluokta: Nikkaluokta Sarri AB – Cottages and camping. Telephone 0980-550 15.
Abisko: Abisko Fjällstation – Hotel rooms, cottages, hostels and camping (directly at the finish line). Telephone 0980-402 00. Abisko Mountain Lodge – Hotel rooms and cottages (approximately 2 km from the finish). Telephone 0980-401 00. Björkliden Fjällby – Hotel rooms, cottages, hostel and camping (approximately 8 km from the finish). Telephone 0980-641 00.
Jukkasjärvi: Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, just over 2 km outside Kiruna, Fjällräven Classic participants can stay at this hotel.
ASSEMBLY POINT & CHECK-IN
Fjällräven Classic arranges shuttle buses from Kiruna airport and train station to the check-in at Högalidskolan. Our hosts will be at all arrivals from Thursday to Saturday until 1pm and can let you know when the next bus is departing, as well as answer your questions when you arrive!
In Kiruna, check-in for Fjällräven Classic is at Högalidskolan (WGS84: 67°51’35.1”N 20°14’6.1”E). This is where you check in and receive your map, Trekking Passport and Trash Bag, get food and cooking fuel for the trek and drop off extra baggage for transport to Abisko. You can also buy trekking equipment at the Naturkompaniet pop-up shop. The check-in can be found near the campsite in Kiruna. It’s also possible to check in at Nikkaluokta.
Check-in opening times:
Thursday: 12pm–8pm
Friday: 6am–8pm
Saturday: 6am–2.30pm
Friday: 6am–8pm
Saturday: 6am–2.30pm
In Kiruna, outside Högalidskolan, you can learn more about trekking, equipment, the trail and other good things to know. There is also an opportunity to participate in a lesson on how to set up a tent and what to consider when setting up and choosing a tent site.
It also includes freeze-dried food from Real Turmat; you pick up the food for your first three days of trekking at check-in. The dishes vary from year to year, but most likely you will find the following meals:
Chili con carne, pasta Bolognese, venison stew, chicken curry, pulled pork with rice, creamy salmon with pasta, beef stew, kebab stew, cod in curry sauce, chicken tikka masala, beef and potato stew, couscous with lentils and spinach (vegan), chilli and bean stew (vegan), squash and sweet potato stew (vegan), Thai red curry (vegan), pasta in tomato sauce (vegan). Breakfasts: Fruit muesli, chocolate muesli.
Getting ready for trekking: the checklist
- Here are our top tips for preparing in Kiruna and further on you will find the full program here.
- Download the q-cloud app and take a digital number to check-in (one for the whole party will suffice).
- Try the freeze-dried meals from Norway’s Real Turmat. You might find a new favourite!
- Check in.
- Enjoy a coffee in the Trekkers café.
- Get some bread and try the spread from Fjällbrynt.
- Get gas for your stove.
- Visit the inspiration sessions with our trekking hosts – tips on how to pitch a tent and pack your rucksack. The times can be found below.
- Listen to the lectures about flora, fauna and the area.
- Organise your gear.
- Drop off your baggage for transport to your destination in Abisko.
- Hop on the bus to the start!
Thursday and Friday
2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 6pm – Outdoors in the courtyard, learn the tricks of setting up a tent and getting a good night’s sleep. Pack your rucksack and tape up your feet.
Saturday
10am, 11am – Outdoors in the courtyard, learn the tricks of setting up a tent and getting a good night’s sleep. Pack your rucksack and tape up your feet.
Map & trekking Passes
At registration in Kiruna (or Nikkaluokta), you’ll receive a map and your Trekking Passport.
The map is at a scale of 1:75000. Your trekking route is marked out on the map. It provides useful information on the location of checkpoints and the services offered at each one.
The Trekking Passport is your identification document during the trek and must be presented and stamped at the start, finish and all checkpoints. It also contains a lot of useful information about the trail and the trek.
AT THE START
If you come directly to the start, you can check-in to Fjällräven Classic at Nikkaluokta and pick up your food, map, bread and gas there. The first start is at 9am on Friday 9 August; after that you can start whenever you want, but no later than 4pm.
The opening hours for check-in at Fjällräven Classic in Nikkaluokta are Thursday 4-8pm, Friday and Saturday 7am-4pm.
We arrange bus transport from the check-in in Kiruna to the start in Nikkaluokta. The journey takes around an hour.
The departure window for the buses from Högalidskolan is the same as the start times you are registered for on Friday and Saturday. From Kiruna:
7:30-8:30am, 8:30-9:30am, 9:30-10:30am, 11:30am-12:30pm, 12:30-1:30pm, 1:30-2:30pm, 2:30-3:30pm
When you arrive by bus in Nikkaluokta, you’ll have plenty of time for your final preparations before heading out on the trail. Weigh your rucksack, enjoy a coffee, buy some snacks, talk to our hosts, visit the chapel and finalise your plans for the day.
Get your orange Fjällräven Classic safety badge to attach to your rucksack. When visible, there’s no doubt that you are a participant at our event and that you are entitled to services at our checkpoints.
The last thing you do is pass the Fjällräven Classic starting tent and get your Trekking Passport stamped. Then the mountains await.
DURING THE TREK
There are six checkpoints along the Fjällräven Classic Sweden trek, and they are staffed around the clock from the start until midnight on Sunday. Then they are open from 6am until midnight from Monday morning until we close the checkpoint. You must get your Trekking Passport stamped at all checkpoints and enter your arrival time in the guestbook. If there is an emergency and the volunteers have to leave the tent, the stamp will be left outside the tent so you can stamp your Trekking Passport yourself.
Closing times are:
Kebnekaise Sunday at 4 pm
Singi Tuesday at 12 noon
Sälka on Wednesday at 12 noon
Tjäktja on Thursday at 12 noon
Alesjaure on Thursday at 6pm
Kieron on Friday at 10am
There is a sauna tent in Sälka that is free to use for all Fjällräven Classic participants. We ask for your help to keep the sauna clean and to refill the water and firewood so we can keep it open as much as possible.
At Ladjújávri, after about 5km, you’ll come to a Sami settlement and “Lap Dånalds” which serves reindeer burgers. Many hikers eat the last fresh meal of their trek here.
Andreas Sarri, who lives here, also offers boat transport across the lake. The boat ride across Ladjújávri is allowed during the trek so rest your legs and enjoy the 6km long boat ride with a unique view of Kebnekaise from the lake. The price of a boat trip ticket is not included in the Fjällräven Classic ticket but can be purchased on site.
The Alesjavrí lake can also be crossed by small boat, operated by Roland Enoksson, which saves you 4 kilometres of trekking.
If you intend to climb Kebnekaise during your participation in Fjällräven Classic, you can do so, but expect it to take most of a day. We recommend that you start on Friday or early Saturday.
You can camp wherever you want during Fjällräven Classic Sweden, but we recommend that you camp beyond STF’s cabin sites. With one important exception: within Abisko National Park, camping is prohibited except in two locations. The last 15 kilometres of the trail go through the national park, so plan which campsite you want to use in advance. You may only camp or make a fire at a designated campsite at Nissunjåkk, 5km south of Abisko Mountain Station. You can also camp at the Abiskojaur huts in the national park, but space is very limited. If you want to camp at Abiskojaure, you must pick up a camping ticket at checkpoint Kieron. If they are closed, it’s because the campsite at Abiskojaure is closed and you’ll have to camp at Kieron or Nissunjåkk.
We’ll provide you with a trash bag to put your rubbish in during the trek. It’s important that you use it. Under no circumstances is it allowed to leave rubbish along the trail, at checkpoints, mountain huts or shelters. If you do so, you will be disqualified. We want to keep the area unspoiled and free of rubbish. You’ll carry the bag all the way to your destination in Abisko. Weigh your trash bag at the finish in Abisko and you’ll receive a ticket in our rubbish bag lottery.
You can stop trekking Fjällräven Classic Sweden whenever you want, but as this is a region without any roads, you’ll still have to walk back to Nikkaluokta or on to Abisko. Please contact a volunteer at a checkpoint – or, if you have phone coverage, call 073-832 41 20.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Fjällräven Classic is all about making it easier for you to get out and enjoy nature. That’s why we’re happy to take care of the logistics. Your ticket includes the following:
- Bus transport from Kiruna airport and Kiruna railway station to FjällrävenClassic Sweden’s base camp at Högalidsskolan in Kiruna.
- Bus transport from base camp at Högalidsskolan to the trek starting point in Nikkaluokta.
- Transport of a bag of maximum 60 litres/20kg from Kiruna or Nikkaluokta to Abisko. Larger or heavier baggage is handled at an additional cost. At registration, you’ll receive a name and race number tag, which you attach to your bag when you check it in. You can collect your baggage at any time in Abisko.
- A 1:75000 scale map and a plastic cover.
- A roll of toilet paper. Please note that there is no toilet paper in the toilets along the course other than what you receive. We want to avoid flying out toilet paper by helicopter.
- A Trekking Passport that will be stamped by Fjällräven volunteers with different stamps at all checkpoints, including the start and finish.
- Gas, petrol or methylated spirits to use with your outdoor stove. Fuel is distributed at check-in. Please note: If you use petrol or methylated spirits, you must bring your own container to fill up. The gas canister comes from Primus and has a standardised thread that works for different stoves (see picture here). You can fill up with gas, but not petrol or methylated spirits at the depots in Sälka and Alesjaure (opening hours of the depots are listed in the section below).
- Freeze-dried food and bread for the trek. This will be distributed at check-in, and you can stock up on food at the Sälka checkpoint and Alesjaure checkpoint. Bread is only distributed at check-in.
- An orange safety badge to attach to your backpack. This is partly so that we can recognise that you are a participant ofFjällräven Classic Sweden and partly so that you are easier to spot in an emergency. The safety badge is handed out at the start in Nikkaluokta.
- Fjällräven Classics Trash Bag, so you can keep your rubbish secure. Please collect all waste in the bag during the trek as you are not allowed to leave any along the trail, at checkpoints, huts or shelters.
- A Fjällräven Classic Sweden medal when you cross the finish line after 110km.
RULES
Fjällräven Classic is about learning to enjoy and appreciate nature in a safe way. The mandatory equipment and the few rules that are in place are for your safety and to minimise the traces we leave behind while in nature.
Camping
During Fjällräven Classic, you’ll sleep in your own tent that you carry with you.
Note that after Checkpoint Kieron, you’ll enter Abisko National Park, where camping is prohibited except at Nissunjåkk, 5km from the finish. You can also camp at the Abiskojaur huts.
There is a sauna tent at Sälka that you can use as a Fjällräven Classic participant; we ask for your help in keeping it fresh, refilling the water and firewood so we can keep it open.
When pitching your tent, keep this in mind:
Find a flat spot with a solid surface. Preferably on gravel, dry grass, rock or at an established campsite.
Make sure you’re close to water but avoid pitching your tent directly next to watercourses.
Be considerate of other campers.
When you break camp, leave the site in the same condition you found it – and of course take all your rubbish with you.
Use the toilet tents that Fjällräven Classic has set up at checkpoints and at the STF cabins first.
During Fjällräven Classic, you may not sleep in the STF mountain cabins.
You can stock up at the shops along the trail at Kebnekaise, Sälka and Alesjaure.
You are not allowed to sleep or seek shelter in the Swedish Tourist Association’s cabins, except in an emergency. You can camp near the cabin sites, at checkpoints but also anywhere along the entire trail except in Abisko National Park. Where shops can stay open given the restrictions, you can also stock up in the cabin shops. You can also visit the restaurant at Kebnekaise Mountain Station and the café in Alesjaure. If you don’t follow the rules regarding accommodation and the use of the cabins, you won’t receive a Fjällräven Classic medal at the finish.
Littering
Nature is very important to us and we want your help to keep it clean. This is why all participants receive a reusable Trash Bag to collect all waste and rubbish and take it to Abisko. When you reach the finish line, weigh your bag at the station next to the finish line. If the bag weighs at least 600g you’ll have the chance to get a Fjällräven prize.
But the best prize is keeping nature clean together!
Anyone who violates the littering rules will be immediately disqualified from Fjällräven Classic Sweden and will be banned from participating in future Fjällräven events. In addition, littering will be reported to the police as an offence against the Swedish Environmental Code.
When nature calls
Human faeces is another matter and should not be placed in the Trash Bag. There are several toilets at checkpoints and mountain cabins along the trail. Several checkpoints have a toilet tent with urine separation. For the separation to work properly, you need to sit down, quite far back on the rim. Of course, you can also use the toilets at cabins and shelters. If nature calls when you are far from a toilet: Dig a small hole. Do what you need to do. Cover the hole with soil. Bury the toilet paper in the same pit or take the paper with you. Please note! Digging is not permitted in Abisko National Park, so cover your faeces with stones and take your toilet paper with you. Never relieve yourself in or near bodies of water.
AT THE FINISH LINE
When you arrive at the finish line in Abisko, tired but happy, you need to get that last stamp in your Trekking Passport and your Fjällräven Classic medal. After crossing the finish line, you can collect your baggage; the claim is open 24 hours a day.
At STF Abisko, you have access to changing rooms, showers and a sauna. You need to pay a small fee for this at the mountain station reception.
Whether you start by taking a shower or not, you should not miss out on the open-air pub that we like to call Trekker's Inn. In addition to food and drink, there is also a prize draw every evening from Sunday to Thursday for everyone who has weighed their waste bag at the finish line, where they can win equipment fromFjällräven.
Trekker’s Inn is open from Saturday 10–Sunday 13 August from 11am to midnight, Monday 12–Thursday 15 Aug from 11am to 2am.
In Abisko, there will be lots of activities; the full programme will be published here further on.
Every day from 9am to 6pm Abisko Naturum is open; don’t miss the slideshows, exhibitions and guided tours in Abisko National Park.
Every day from 9am to 4pm the chairlift and Aurora Sky station café are open at Nuolja. Head up and enjoy the view – half price when you show your Trekking Passport!
Sunday – Friday [booking required]: Massage for tired muscles, book at the entrance desks.
Sunday – Friday [information tent]: Try a Fjällräven tent for a night. Contact the Fjällräven Classic information tent for more information.
Hanwag will polish your boots and show you the best tips.
Care & Create with Fjällräven
CONTACT
If you have questions, queries or problems concerning payment then please contact at us at: classic@fjallraven.com.
You can also ask us a question at any time on our Facebook page.
