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Day
8 & 9
Tuoddar - Staloluokta
19 km
Day 8 is spent hiking, and day 9 is for free activities in or around
Staloluokta.
Except for being the longest stretch of this hike,
this is a pretty easy walk. The trail goes up and down a number
of small hills and duckboards help us pass the lower and wetter
parts. Little by little we descend from the Padjelanta tableland
and if the wind is not with us the mosquitoes soon will. The ground
is dry and rocky with mostly crowberries on the thin layer of soil.
The willows are back again, and after crossing a river towards the
end, we have to walk through long stretches of willow jungle. Those
parts are a strong contender to Tarraluoppal's position as mosquito
heaven.
Golden plowers and whimbrels will be around for the better part
of the day, and probably also northern wheatears, snow buntings
and common redshanks.
We have been able to see lake Virihaure and the snow covered peaks
on the opposite side for a long time before we finally reach the
Saami summer camp Staloluokta. This is the final leg of hiking,
and what would better crown this day than a visit to the sauna!
Staloluokta is a small Saami settlement, a summer camp where the
families used to spend their summers. Roughly from midsummer to
September. Some of them still spend most of the summers up here,
while others only come for short visits. A scheduled daily helicopter
service makes it easy to come and go.
This is also a point where many travelers gather. Some of them old
regulars who have been coming here every summer for years.
If you are interested in rare species of sedge and grass, we could
visit a mountain a boat ride away, and maybe we could see some other
interesting things too. This is a famous spot in Swedish botanical
circles.
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Staloluokta Main Page 
Today's trail
Flower photos from todays trail
Misc. photos from today's trail
Staloluokta cabin