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Trail running

Running in the mountains both gives and takes energy. It offers constant variation for both your gaze and your stride. In Björkliden, there’s a varied selection of running trails, and you can choose the difficulty level you prefer. Everything from running flatter trails in the birch forest to testing your muscles with uphill sprints. Feel free to try and challenge yourself; there’s nothing more inspiring than the sounds and life of nature around you.

It’s as if the bubbling stream (jokken) provides a little extra energy to those tired legs. What you should consider when running in the mountains is that the weather here can change quickly. We recommend packing some snacks, something windproof, and perhaps even a hat and gloves if the temperature is lower. Below are some suggestions for great running routes, but the possibilities are endless – where there’s a path, your legs can run!

14. Backträning längs jokken

You can make this loop as challenging as you wish by choosing the distance. Running along the stream is very beautiful, and you’re driven forward by the refreshing sound of the water. If you want to shorten the distance, we recommend starting the uphill journey at the lower of the three bridges that cross the stream. A recommended finish is a refreshing dip at Syndafallet (The Sin’s Fall) if the water flow and level allow it.

All the way from Lake Torneträsk up to just above the hotel (Syndafallet), there’s a trail running alongside Rakkasjohka stream. The trail is on the north side of the stream. If you start all the way down at Lake Torneträsk and make it all the way up to Syndafallet, it’s a 200-meter uphill climb and 1.5 km, with the most intense section right before the end.

    FACTS

    Distance:

       1,5 km.

    Elevation gain:

       200 m.

    Best breather:

      Save the best for last; just as you reach the bare mountain, turn around and look out over the lake!

15. Boardwalk Run to Abisko

If you’ve never tried running on a boardwalk, it’s something to experience. Running on a boardwalk is like running on hard ground but with a resilient stride and out in the middle of nature.

”If you’re interested in more history from the time of strong border defense, there’s a small museum to visit, the Abisko Border Defense Museum.”

On the Rallarleden (Navvy Trail) towards Abisko, there’s plenty of boardwalk mixed with bare ground to try your running stride on. A classic is to run to the national park boundary, where there’s a map posted, and back again – about 2.5 km one way. If your legs feel light, you can continue all the way to Abisko Tourist Station and stop at STF for a coffee break before heading home again – about 6.5 km one way. You start at the bridge over Rákkasjohka stream below the railway in Björkliden village.

    FACTS

    Distance:

       0 – 6,5 km one-way.

    Elevation gain:

       10 m.

    Best breather:

       Stop at the war memorial after about 2 km. 

16. Crater Lake Loop

If you want a real round trip with a beautiful view, the Crater Loop is recommended. You can run it in both directions, but the most enjoyable way is to start with the trail to Kratersjön (Crater Lake), from there turn down to the Rallarkyrkogården (Navvy Cemetery), and finish by running on the lush Rallarleden (Navvy Trail) home.

The start from the hotel is up the gravel hill, following the road to Badsjön (Bathing Lake). At the lake, follow the trail on the right side, which will take you to Kratersjön. Once you reach Kratersjön, turn northeast directly at the lake and follow the path and cross markings downwards. Here you’ll find the tour’s biggest elevation change, where you’ll run down about 100 meters. You’ll come down to the railway and need to cross it. Be careful when crossing, as it’s unguarded, and trains come quickly. Once down at the Rallarkyrkogården, choose the Rallarleden to the right and follow it through the birch forest homewards. You’ll come out near Björkliden railway station; from there, it’s your choice of route back to your accommodation.

    FACTS

    Distance:

       9 km.

    Elevation gain:

       120 m.

    Best breather:

      On one of the mountain heaths, perhaps it’s cloudberry season?

     

17. Morning Run – 15-20 min

If you’re keen to wake up a bit, enjoy the finest view, and then be back home in time for breakfast, this loop might be for you.

You start by running the gravel road up from the hotel to what we call the viewpoint, a small black house with a flat roof 350 m from the hotel. At the viewpoint, turn your nose north towards the lake and follow our flower trail, marked with a card featuring a flower. The trail will lead you out towards the golf course, down stairs, and through the birch forest back home to the hotel.

    FACTS

    Distance:

       1,5 km

    Elevation gain:

       About 40 m.

    Best breather:

      At the tee of hole 7, just before you turn downwards, you’ll find a magical view, and it’s perfectly halfway.

     

18. The Long Run

Björkliden – Njullá – STF – Björkliden If you want something truly challenging for your legs or a full-day tour, we suggest the loop over Mount Njullá down to Abisko. This is a more intense running session, and remember that the weather in the mountains can change quickly, so pack both some snacks and something warm and windproof to put on in case it changes or gets windy. If you want more information about the loop, ask our guides in the sports shop.

The loop goes from Björkliden up Mount Njulla following the same route as “The Nature Experience” above. From there, you follow the trail up between Njullá and Slåttatjåkka to the top of STF’s chairlift, then down to STF Tourist Station and along the Rallarleden (Navvy Trail) home. If you want to reach the summit of Njulla, you can either choose to run off-trail upwards from the bridge over Gohpasjohka, or, once you’ve passed the pass between Njullá and Slåttatjåkka, choose the marked trail back up to the summit.

    FACTS

    Distance:

    17 km without the summit,
    19 km with the summit

    Elevation gain:

    About 650 m without the summit,
    780 m including the summit. 

    Best breather:

    At the summit, of course, but it’s nice to take a sip of the cold mountain water in Gohpasjohka.

     

19. Nature Experience Run

If you’re keen to get a bit further from the hotel, get your legs moving, and enjoy beautiful nature, we recommend following the path up to the caves towards Njúlla.

From the hotel, there’s a path south over Rákkasjohka stream and through the birch forest. Once you’re out of the birch forest, you’ll come out onto a gravel road that takes you upwards through our ski system. After about 300 m on the gravel road, you’ll reach a wooden fence on your left side. Here, you cross the open area, which is a ski slope in winter, and continue upwards along the path you step onto there. You can follow the path all the way up to the bare mountain and a bridge that crosses Gohpasjohka stream. On the way back down, you can either follow the same path home or follow the gravel road that starts at the lift base of the Kittelliften (Kittel Lift). To get up to the Kittelliften, from the bridge, facing Björkliden, aim for the cabin you see up to the left. There’s a small path there.

    FACTS

    Distance:

       2,5 km one-way.

    Elevation gain:

       160 m.

    Best breather:

       Stop when you’re in the middle of the birch forest and enjoy the life around you.