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This is a true gem, that KICKS!

There are many scenic roads in our neighborhood, many of them are unpaved roads, but there are a few paved gems also. The road to Kvikkjokk begins at road E45 a few kilometers north of Jokkmokk. From the crossroad, it’s about 110 kilometers to the small mountain village Kvikkjokk. Although the whole length of the road is stunning, the last 45 km from the small village of Tjåmotis is spectacular!

Watch David and Piera bike from Tjåmotis to Kvikkjokk!

The Village of Kvikkjokk

Kvikkjokk, or Huhttán, which is the lule-sámi name, is an old mountain village, that once was bigger than Jokkmokk. The area was before the 15th-century inhabitant by sámi population but during the 15th-century silver was found in the mountain Silbbatjåhkkå (which means silver mountain) and a settlement was established at the outlet of river Gamájåhkå, that became the village Kvikkjokk.
The father of modern taxonomy, Carl Linnaeus (Carl von Linné), visited Kvikkjokk during his 1732 Expedition to Lapland. Linnaeus described around 100 previously unidentified plants, which became the basis of his book Flora Lapponica.

Wonderful views between Årrenjarkka and Kvikkjokk

At around 1760, a small chapel was built, and during the late 18th-century and 19th-century, a new era was established when settlers moved here to live on hunting, fishing, and some farming.
During the 20th-century, Kvikkjokk became an important hub for tourism. The Kings Trail passes the village and the Swedish Tourist Association has a mountain station here. The Padjelanta Hiking Trail also starts (or ends) in Kvikkjokk.

Piera, A few kilometers outside Kvikkjokk


The village is on the border of the UNESCO Laponia world heritage, a world heritage that is based both on cultural values and nature values. The Laponia area it’s the largest area in the world, with an ancestral way of life based on the seasonal movement of livestock. It’s also an area with high nature values. The nearby Sarek National Park is part of the Laponia area and is the most high-alpine region in Sweden with a lot of peaks over 1900 meters, and six peaks over 2000 meters.

The Road

The most scenic part of the road starts in the small village of Tjåmotis, about 45 kilometers east of Kvikkjokk. Up to this village the road is quite wide, but after Tjåmotis it becomes quite narrow. The traffic intensity is however, very low, especially at off-season. The tarmac is overall good.

Part 1 Tjåmotis – Årrenjarkka 25 km

The first part between Tjåmotis and Årrenjarrka is roughly 25 kilometers. After Tjåmotis the road goes up and down, and the mountains come closer. After the small mountain Tjärggo you come to the tiny village of Njavve. During summer-time, there is a rapid close to the village, and it’s very beautiful. From Njavve the road follows the waterline of lake Sakkat. At Årrenjarkka/Oarrenjárgga, there is the Årrenjarkka Mountain Lodge, a great place to stay in the area. The restaurant is very good, and it’s a great place for different kinds of adventures such as hiking, biking, or fishing. There is also a small shop at the Mountain Lodge.

Part 2 Årrenjarkka – Kvikkjokk 20 km

After Årrenjarkka there is a 2.8 km climb, with an average grade of 3%, with about 7% in some sections. From the highest point, it’s downhill to lake Sakkat. Down at the lake, the road is squeezed between the lake and the mountain for a few kilometers.
The last five kilometers until Kvikkjokk is rather hilly and curvy. The hills are small, but some are steep, with gradients up to around 11%.
From Tjåmotis to Årrenjarkka you climb about 410 meters in total.
Nowadays, there is no store in Kvikkjokk, but when the Mountain Station is open, there is a restaurant and a small shop where you can buy some basic food.

Conclusion – A true gem!

The road between Tjåmotis and Kvikkjokk is a true gem and one of our favorite paved roads in our neighborhood. The traffic intensity is very low, the tarmac good, and the views are breathtaking.

Between Årrenjarkka and Kvikkjokk along the lake Sakkat