Ratekjokk Trail, Swedish Lapland

Highlights

• Ride Icelandic horses through the Kebnekaise mountains of Swedish Lapland
• Guided by Sami hosts, with their culture woven through the week
• Nights in a traditional lavvu tent, cooking over an open fire
• Big Arctic wilderness under the midnight sun
• A small, remote trail far from roads and crowds

The riding

You should be balanced and in control at walk, trot and canter and comfortable spending the day in the saddle over mountain terrain. The Icelandic horses are sure-footed and steady, but this is a real wilderness trail rather than a gentle hack.

The horses

Sure-footed Icelandic horses, well suited to long days over mountain ground.

A typical day

The trail moves through the mountains of Swedish Lapland over seven days, riding by day and camping by night in a traditional lavvu, with meals cooked over an open fire. Hosts Kerstin and Matti share Sami culture and knowledge of the land along the way, in some of the emptiest country in Europe.

Accommodation & food

Traditional Sami lavvu tents out on the trail.

All meals included, cooked over the fire.

When to go

Best months: July to September

Rides run in the short Arctic summer, under the midnight sun and later the first colours of autumn. Nights stay cool this far north.

Getting there

Nearest airport: Kiruna (KRN), reached via Stockholm

Transfers: Arranged from Kiruna with the operator

Fly to Kiruna via Stockholm, then transfer to meet the ride.

What's included

Good to know

• Minimum age 12
• A genuine wilderness trail with camping and open-fire cooking
• Confirm the rider weight limit with the operator
• Weather in the Arctic mountains can change quickly