[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1440},["ShallowReactive",2],{"post-how-the-stf-huts-on-the-kungsleden-really-work":3,"related-posts-how-the-stf-huts-on-the-kungsleden-really-work":462},{"id":4,"uid":5,"url":6,"type":7,"href":8,"tags":9,"first_publication_date":10,"last_publication_date":11,"slugs":12,"linked_documents":14,"lang":15,"alternate_languages":16,"data":17},"atxrxxIAACkA3O4O","how-the-stf-huts-on-the-kungsleden-really-work","/blog/how-the-stf-huts-on-the-kungsleden-really-work","blog_post","https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/api/v2/documents/search?ref=at43_hIAAC4A333o&q=%5B%5B%3Ad+%3D+at%28document.id%2C+%22atxrxxIAACkA3O4O%22%29+%5D%5D",[],"2026-10-25T16:02:47+0000","2026-10-25T17:10:21+0000",[13],"what-all-stf-huts-have",[],"en-us",[],{"title":18,"cover":19,"short_description":49,"author":50,"categories":61,"color_theme":73,"slices":74,"meta_title":23,"meta_description":23,"meta_image":461},"How the STF Huts on the Kungsleden really work: shops, sauna, costs and more",{"dimensions":20,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":24,"id":25,"edit":26,"thumb":30,"mobile":37,"large":43},{"width":21,"height":22},1920,1280,null,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/_Ngl1bjgrlkBf50o_DSC06545.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C1920%2C1280&w=1920&h=1280","_Ngl1bjgrlkBf50o",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},0,1,"transparent",{"dimensions":31,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":34,"id":25,"edit":35},{"width":32,"height":33},800,500,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/_Ngl1bjgrlkBf50o_DSC06545.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C80%2C1920%2C1200&w=800&h=500",{"x":27,"y":36,"zoom":28,"background":29},80,{"dimensions":38,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":40,"id":25,"edit":41},{"width":39,"height":39},400,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/_Ngl1bjgrlkBf50o_DSC06545.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=346%2C0%2C1280%2C1280&w=400&h=400",{"x":42,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},346,{"dimensions":44,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":47,"id":25,"edit":48},{"width":45,"height":46},1440,960,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/_Ngl1bjgrlkBf50o_DSC06545.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C1920%2C1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"How the huts on the Kungsleden work: the self-service system, shops, sauna, prices, and when the STF membership pays off.",{"id":51,"type":52,"tags":53,"lang":15,"slug":54,"first_publication_date":55,"last_publication_date":55,"uid":54,"data":56,"link_type":58,"key":59,"isBroken":60},"afr_OBYAACgAQIQc","author",[],"take-a-hike-team","2026-05-06T08:44:16+0000",{"name":57},"Take a Hike Team","Document","322a6a46-8841-4658-a45e-16dc374da0ed",false,[62],{"category":63},{"id":64,"type":65,"tags":66,"lang":15,"slug":67,"first_publication_date":68,"last_publication_date":68,"uid":67,"url":69,"data":70,"link_type":58,"key":72,"isBroken":60},"Z-pnaxAAAB0AY1D8","blog_categories",[],"tips","2025-03-31T09:59:31+0000","/blog/category/tips",{"name":71},"Tips","ab5cfc49-9924-48f0-ace9-e32437023a63","Forest",[75,88,119,155,177,188,236,246,257,292,304,342,352,395,405,442,455],{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":78,"primary":79,"id":86,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},"default","initial",[],{"text":80},[81],{"type":82,"text":83,"spans":84,"direction":85},"paragraph","The STF huts on the Kungsleden are simple, self-service and very well organized, but it's a bit different than other huts in Europe, like in the Alps and the Pyrenees. There is no dinner and breakfast included, no private dorms, electricity or running water, and everyone needs to help chopping wood, collecting water and keep it clean. This post explains how the STF huts work, what you can find in them, what they cost, and when the STF membership pays for itself. ",[],"ltr","text_block$1e7d3dcf-7b27-4667-8ca9-76cf4eb53a95","text_block",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":89,"primary":90,"id":118,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":91},[92,96,99,103,106,109,112,115],{"type":93,"text":94,"spans":95,"direction":85},"heading2","What all STF huts have",[],{"type":82,"text":97,"spans":98,"direction":85},"All the huts along the Kungsleden are run by STF (the Swedish Tourist Association), and they follow the same standards. They are about 10 to 20 km apart, which is roughly one day of walking. They are simple on purpose: no electricity, no running water. What you can count on in every hut:",[],{"type":100,"text":101,"spans":102,"direction":85},"list-item","A dry toilet (outdoor)",[],{"type":100,"text":104,"spans":105,"direction":85},"Shelter, plus a safety room that stays open when the hut is closed, with an emergency phone at many of them",[],{"type":100,"text":107,"spans":108,"direction":85},"Staff: a cabin host who shows you around and explains how everything works",[],{"type":100,"text":110,"spans":111,"direction":85},"A dry room to hang wet clothes and boots",[],{"type":100,"text":113,"spans":114,"direction":85},"A guest kitchen with gas and utensils for cooking",[],{"type":82,"text":116,"spans":117,"direction":85},"The hosts work on a voluntary basis, and they usually take a break in the middle of the day. STF says the minimum opening hours are 8 to 10 in the morning and 16 to 20 in the afternoon, and many hosts stay open longer.",[],"text_block$83d355f1-6681-4451-b759-d15ce20c49ac",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":120,"primary":152,"id":153,"slice_type":154,"slice_label":23},[121,138],{"image":122,"text":135,"video":136},{"dimensions":123,"alt":124,"copyright":23,"url":125,"id":126,"edit":127,"large":129},{"width":21,"height":45},"Dorm in a STF Hut","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/AAjCnDDL47rOMxRj_PXL_20260820_152339860.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C2000%2C1500&w=1920&h=1440","AAjCnDDL47rOMxRj",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":128,"background":29},2.0399999999999996,{"dimensions":130,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":132,"id":126,"edit":133},{"width":45,"height":131},1024,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/AAjCnDDL47rOMxRj_PXL_20260820_152339860.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C171%2C4080%2C2901&w=1440&h=1024",{"x":27,"y":134,"zoom":28,"background":29},171,[],{"link_type":137},"Any",{"image":139,"text":150,"video":151},{"dimensions":140,"alt":141,"copyright":23,"url":142,"id":143,"edit":144,"large":145},{"width":21,"height":45},"Common area in STF Alesjaure","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/r8qlNpd_NGKg-dqg_PXL_20260820_160141786.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C2000%2C1500&w=1920&h=1440","r8qlNpd_NGKg-dqg",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":128,"background":29},{"dimensions":146,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":147,"id":143,"edit":148},{"width":45,"height":131},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/r8qlNpd_NGKg-dqg_PXL_20260820_160141786.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C163%2C4080%2C2901&w=1440&h=1024",{"x":27,"y":149,"zoom":28,"background":29},163,[],{"link_type":137},{},"collumns$2b99b013-724e-439c-b967-7e96b1de342a","collumns",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":156,"primary":157,"id":176,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":158},[159,162,165,171],{"type":93,"text":160,"spans":161,"direction":85},"Mountain stations vs mountain huts",[],{"type":82,"text":163,"spans":164,"direction":85},"STF has two types of accommodation on the trail, and the difference is big.",[],{"type":82,"text":166,"spans":167,"direction":85},"Mountain stations are bigger, like a mix of a mountain hotel, hostel and guesthouse. On the Northen Kungsleden, these are the Abisko and Kebnekaise. They have a restaurant with breakfast, lunch and dinner, a shop, common rooms, and rooms that go from simple bunk beds to hotel standard with a private shower and toilet. They also have hot showers.",[168],{"start":27,"end":169,"type":170},17,"strong",{"type":82,"text":172,"spans":173,"direction":85},"Mountain huts (STF calls them mountain cabins) are the basic ones along the trail. They only offer shared dorms with bunk beds, and everything is self-service. This is the type of hut you will sleep in most of the time on the Kungsleden.",[174],{"start":27,"end":175,"type":170},13,"text_block$7c196c84-55b9-40c4-8ac6-82387015e506",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":178,"primary":179,"id":186,"slice_type":187,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":180,"caption":185},{"dimensions":181,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":182,"id":183,"edit":184},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/Zu_8zreV51hGuSMt_DSC06495.jpg?auto=format,compress","Zu_8zreV51hGuSMt",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"Kebnekaise Mountain Station","photo$c9985f4d-5301-4b13-aa33-838adf736daf","photo",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":189,"primary":190,"id":235,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":191},[192,195,201,206,210,215,228,232],{"type":93,"text":193,"spans":194,"direction":85},"How a night in a mountain hut works",[],{"type":82,"text":196,"spans":197,"direction":85},"If you are used to the huts in the Alps and other mountains in Europe, this is the big difference: the night does not come with half board. You pay for the bed only, and you need to carry your own food, or buy it in one of the shops on the way. Then you cook in the guest kitchen. Here is what to expect:",[198],{"start":199,"end":200,"type":170},99,139,{"type":100,"text":202,"spans":203,"direction":85},"Shared dorm. You sleep in a bunk bed, and the host assigns your bed when you arrive. A duvet and a pillow are provided, but you must bring your own bed linen: a bottom sheet, a pillowcase, and a duvet cover, travel sheet or sleeping bag. You cannot sleep directly on the bedding. If you forget, some shops sell single-use sheets.",[204],{"start":27,"end":205,"type":170},12,{"type":100,"text":207,"spans":208,"direction":85},"Self-service. You fetch your own water, chop wood and light the stove together with the other guests. The kitchen has gas and utensils for cooking. Keep it clean, and leave it ready for the next person.",[209],{"start":27,"end":175,"type":170},{"type":100,"text":211,"spans":212,"direction":85},"Plan your meals. Pack enough food for the days between shops, because not every hut has one.",[213],{"start":27,"end":214,"type":170},16,{"type":100,"text":216,"spans":217,"direction":85},"Booking. You can book all huts in advance on the STF website. Some huts are more popular than the others, so if you don't want to take risks, it is recommendable to book all nights in advance.",[218,220],{"start":27,"end":219,"type":170},8,{"start":221,"end":222,"type":223,"data":224},49,60,"hyperlink",{"link_type":225,"url":226,"target":227},"Web","https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/","_blank",{"type":100,"text":229,"spans":230,"direction":85},"Payment. Cash in Swedish kronor works everywhere. Card works at many huts in the Abisko to Kebnekaise area, but the signal is not always good, so keep some cash.",[231],{"start":27,"end":219,"type":170},{"type":82,"text":233,"spans":234,"direction":85},"The price for a bed in a mountain hut in summer on the Kungsleden is 480 SEK per night for an STF member who books in advance, and 530 SEK if you pay on site. Non-members pay 100 SEK more per night.",[],"text_block$d1d9eb19-ed66-4f5d-aaf4-d82c2d16c79f",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":237,"primary":238,"id":245,"slice_type":187,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":239,"caption":244},{"dimensions":240,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":241,"id":242,"edit":243},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/6bJCDDqwA5WT__Nc_PXL_20260815_075135640.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C4080%2C2720&w=1920&h=1280","6bJCDDqwA5WT__Nc",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"Kaitumjaure Mountain Hut","photo$976275bc-1330-4564-b981-b075ace581d6",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":247,"primary":248,"id":256,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":249},[250,253],{"type":93,"text":251,"spans":252,"direction":85},"What only some huts have",[],{"type":82,"text":254,"spans":255,"direction":85},"Not every hut has a sauna, and not every hut has a shop. Check the hut list in advance if you depend on one of them. Also, there are no showers in the huts. The exception is the biggest ones, like the Kebnekaise mountain station, where showers are included. In the small huts, the sauna is the closest you get to a shower, and I explain how that works below.",[],"text_block$f2322e98-85bb-46db-8734-b80c7246d4f1",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":258,"primary":259,"id":291,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":260},[261,265,268,273,278,282,287],{"type":262,"text":263,"spans":264,"direction":85},"heading3","Sauna (bastu): how it works and how to shower",[],{"type":82,"text":266,"spans":267,"direction":85},"A sauna at a mountain hut is one of the best things on the trail, and it is also the only \"shower\" you will find in most huts. The details change from hut to hut, so the host will explain how it works, but this is the usual system.",[],{"type":82,"text":269,"spans":270,"direction":85},"Hours and fee. The sauna runs on a schedule, with separate hours for women and men, and usually some mixed hours. Check the times on the door or ask the host when you arrive. If you are camping, the service fee covers the sauna.",[271],{"start":27,"end":272,"type":170},14,{"type":82,"text":274,"spans":275,"direction":85},"Everyone helps. The sauna is wood-fired, and it only works if every guest does a little. Add some wood to the stove when it needs it, collect water, and keep it clean and leave the sauna ready for the next group.",[276],{"start":27,"end":277,"type":170},15,{"type":82,"text":279,"spans":280,"direction":85},"Cooling down. The sauna building is usually close to a river or lake, and the common practice is to go outside and cool down in the fresh water between rounds. Keep it for cooling down only: no soap in the water.",[281],{"start":27,"end":175,"type":170},{"type":82,"text":283,"spans":284,"direction":85},"Nudity and hygiene. In the sauna you are allowed to be naked or to uncover parts of your body, and nobody cares. But always take a towel and sit on it, for hygiene. This is a shared space, so it is a basic rule.",[285],{"start":27,"end":286,"type":170},19,{"type":82,"text":288,"spans":289,"direction":85},"How to wash.  You will find buckets and bowls in a room before you enter the sauna. There is a wood-burning water boiler and you can mix hot and cold water and wash yourself. You are allowed to use soap inside the sauna area.",[290],{"start":27,"end":175,"type":170},"text_block$8c57c972-7727-419f-9aa6-3039ec566710",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":293,"primary":294,"id":303,"slice_type":187,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":295,"caption":302},{"dimensions":296,"alt":298,"copyright":23,"url":299,"id":300,"edit":301},{"width":297,"height":297},2000,"Sauna in a STF Hut","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/CHX5h-37Z6B-5OKB_PXL_20260820_043438509.jpg?auto=format,compress","CHX5h-37Z6B-5OKB",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"Sauna building in a STF Hut","photo$95a1f87f-e448-415b-a762-883144d1bb5a",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":305,"primary":306,"id":341,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":307},[308,311,314,317,320,323,326,329,332,335,338],{"type":262,"text":309,"spans":310,"direction":85},"Shops: what you can find and what it costs",[],{"type":82,"text":312,"spans":313,"direction":85},"STF has two types of mountain shop: small and large. A small shop has a limited range, but enough to make a complete meal. A large shop has a wider selection. Not all huts have a shop, and some items can be out of stock, so our advice is to use the shops as a top-up and never as your main food plan.",[],{"type":82,"text":315,"spans":316,"direction":85},"These are the things you can usually find:",[],{"type":100,"text":318,"spans":319,"direction":85},"Food: freeze-dried meals, canned food, soup powder, bread, cheese, noodles, chocolate and snacks",[],{"type":100,"text":321,"spans":322,"direction":85},"Pasta, oats, rice and lentils, which you buy by weight, so you can take only the amount you need",[],{"type":100,"text":324,"spans":325,"direction":85},"Coffee, tea and hot chocolate",[],{"type":100,"text":327,"spans":328,"direction":85},"Gas canisters",[],{"type":100,"text":330,"spans":331,"direction":85},"Basic supplies like toilet paper, matches, plasters and mosquito repellent",[],{"type":100,"text":333,"spans":334,"direction":85},"Souvenirs, like the STF Kungsleden badge and buffs",[],{"type":82,"text":336,"spans":337,"direction":85},"On prices, the freeze-dried meals were around 140 SEK on average, and a sachet of coffee or hot chocolate powder is about 10 SEK. Everything is more expensive than in a normal supermarket, which makes sense because it all has to be transported to the mountains.",[],{"type":82,"text":339,"spans":340,"direction":85},"If you plan to leave early in the morning, do your shopping the day before, because the shop is only open when the host is there.",[],"text_block$382f968e-5dd1-4cb9-aa80-577750d2926a",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":343,"primary":344,"id":351,"slice_type":187,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":345,"caption":347},{"dimensions":346,"alt":347,"copyright":23,"url":348,"id":349,"edit":350},{"width":297,"height":297},"A shop in a STF hut","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/m0KMfpTE7P6yaXdw_PXL_20260819_092046277.jpg?auto=format,compress","m0KMfpTE7P6yaXdw",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"photo$544cbe1d-247e-4830-8918-5aa894796a90",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":353,"primary":354,"id":394,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":355},[356,359,362,366,370,374,379,382,385,391],{"type":93,"text":357,"spans":358,"direction":85},"STF membership: how much it costs and when it is worth it",[],{"type":82,"text":360,"spans":361,"direction":85},"An STF membership is valid for 12 months and costs:",[],{"type":100,"text":363,"spans":364,"direction":85},"Adult (26 to 74): 375 SEK",[365],{"start":27,"end":169,"type":170},{"type":100,"text":367,"spans":368,"direction":85},"Youth (16 to 25): 195 SEK",[369],{"start":27,"end":169,"type":170},{"type":100,"text":371,"spans":372,"direction":85},"Senior (75+): 230 SEK",[373],{"start":27,"end":175,"type":170},{"type":100,"text":375,"spans":376,"direction":85},"Family (two adults plus young people living at the same address): 600 SEK",[377],{"start":27,"end":378,"type":170},65,{"type":82,"text":380,"spans":381,"direction":85},"Children under 16 cannot have a membership, but they travel at member prices when they are with a member.",[],{"type":82,"text":383,"spans":384,"direction":85},"The member discount is 100 SEK per night per person at the mountain huts and stations. It also works for the camping service fee: 210 SEK for members against 310 SEK for non-members. So every night you use an STF facility saves you 100 SEK, whether you sleep in a bed or camp next to the hut and use the sauna.",[],{"type":82,"text":386,"spans":387,"direction":85},"The math is simple. An adult membership costs 375 SEK, so you need 375 / 100 = 3.75 nights, which means 4 nights to break even. So if you plan 4 or more nights in the huts, or camping next to them with the service fee, the membership is worth it. If you are two adults, the family membership is cheaper than two adult memberships (600 SEK against 750 SEK), and you break even after 3 nights together. For a youth membership (195 SEK), 2 nights are enough. If you only sleep one or two nights in an STF hut and wild camp the rest, you can skip it.",[388],{"start":389,"end":390,"type":170},104,112,{"type":82,"text":392,"spans":393,"direction":85},"Two practical tips: the discount applies when you book through STF, and you need to show your digital membership card at check-in. Download it before the hike, because it works without internet.",[],"text_block$b058f09a-22e0-4195-a487-d195fdd141ab",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":396,"primary":397,"id":404,"slice_type":187,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":398,"caption":403},{"dimensions":399,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":400,"id":401,"edit":402},{"width":297,"height":297},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/GjE0a3ZrKXIaDSgt_DSC06630.JPG?auto=format,compress","GjE0a3ZrKXIaDSgt",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"STF Sälkastugan","photo$fb4ee7af-30ee-4ba3-bb44-59a61503b757",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":406,"primary":407,"id":440,"slice_type":441,"slice_label":23},[],{"title":408,"items":409},"Frequently asked questions",[410,416,422,428,434],{"title":411,"description":412},"Do the STF huts on the Kungsleden include food?",[413],{"type":82,"text":414,"spans":415,"direction":85},"No. A night in a mountain hut includes only the bed and the use of the facilities. You bring your own food, or buy some in the hut shops, and cook in the guest kitchen. Only the mountain stations have a restaurant.",[],{"title":417,"description":418},"Do the STF huts on the Kungsleden have showers?",[419],{"type":82,"text":420,"spans":421,"direction":85},"No, only the Mountain Stations have hot showers. Most huts have a sauna instead, and in the sauna you can wash with warm water.",[],{"title":423,"description":424},"Is the STF membership worth it for the Kungsleden?",[425],{"type":82,"text":426,"spans":427,"direction":85},"Yes, if you spend 4 or more nights in the huts or camp next to them using the facilities. The adult membership costs 375 SEK, and it saves 100 SEK per night.",[],{"title":429,"description":430},"Can you buy food and gas on the Kungsleden?",[431],{"type":82,"text":432,"spans":433,"direction":85},"Some huts have a shop, with food, gas canisters and basic supplies like toilet paper. Not all huts have one, and the range is limited, so plan your food carefully.",[],{"title":435,"description":436},"Do I need to bring bed linen to an STF hut?",[437],{"type":82,"text":438,"spans":439,"direction":85},"Yes. You need a bottom sheet, a pillowcase, and a duvet cover, travel sheet or sleeping bag. The huts provide only the mattress, a duvet and a pillow.",[],"accordion$4b8b3803-000b-43c7-b7c0-a0b7e3b32a30","accordion",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":443,"primary":444,"id":454,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":445},[446],{"type":82,"text":447,"spans":448,"direction":85},"Our advice is to do the math for your own route before you book. Count the nights in huts and the nights you would camp next to one, and see if the membership makes sense. You can plan your route and see where the huts and shops are in the Hike Planner.",[449],{"start":450,"end":451,"type":223,"data":452},240,252,{"link_type":225,"url":453,"target":227},"https://takeahike.io/hike-planner","text_block$1361ab10-06b1-4ebf-a4d2-1277b4194249",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":456,"primary":457,"id":459,"slice_type":460,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":458},{},"planner_banner$b527dbda-86c3-46e0-b4e8-f252edb4bbe1","planner_banner",{},{"page":28,"results_per_page":463,"results_size":463,"total_results_size":464,"total_pages":465,"next_page":466,"prev_page":23,"results":467,"version":1438,"license":1439},3,28,10,"https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/api/v2/documents/search?ref=at43_hIAAC4A333o&q=%5B%5Bat%28document.type%2C+%22blog_post%22%29%5D%5D&q=%5B%5Bnot%28document.id%2C+%22atxrxxIAACkA3O4O%22%29%5D%5D&page=2&pageSize=3",[468,900,1088],{"id":469,"uid":470,"url":471,"type":7,"href":472,"tags":473,"first_publication_date":474,"last_publication_date":474,"slugs":475,"linked_documents":477,"lang":15,"alternate_languages":478,"data":479},"aivpGBEAACgAUdSN","the-5-lakes-trail-zermatt-the-best-views-to-matterhorn","/blog/the-5-lakes-trail-zermatt-the-best-views-to-matterhorn","https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/api/v2/documents/search?ref=at43_hIAAC4A333o&q=%5B%5B%3Ad+%3D+at%28document.id%2C+%22aivpGBEAACgAUdSN%22%29+%5D%5D",[],"2026-06-17T13:15:50+0000",[476],"how-to-get-there",[],[],{"title":480,"cover":481,"short_description":503,"author":504,"categories":507,"color_theme":73,"slices":516,"meta_title":23,"meta_description":23,"meta_image":899},"The 5 Lakes Trail Zermatt: The Best Views to Matterhorn",{"dimensions":482,"alt":484,"copyright":23,"url":485,"id":486,"edit":487,"thumb":488,"mobile":493,"large":498},{"width":21,"height":483},1080,"Lake Grindjisee and Matterhorn","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzaKlQnVZVESS__DSC08131.jpg?auto=format,compress","aivzaKlQnVZVESS_",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":489,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":490,"id":486,"edit":491},{"width":32,"height":33},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzaKlQnVZVESS__DSC08131.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=96,0,1728,1080&w=800&h=500",{"x":492,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},96,{"dimensions":494,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":496,"id":486,"edit":497},{"width":39,"height":495},225,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzaKlQnVZVESS__DSC08131.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1080&w=400&h=225",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":499,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":500,"id":486,"edit":501},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzaKlQnVZVESS__DSC08131.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=150,0,1620,1080&w=1440&h=960",{"x":502,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},150,"If you are doing Walker's Haute Route, or just spending some time in Zermatt, this is a trail worth fitting into your schedule.",{"id":51,"type":52,"tags":505,"lang":15,"slug":54,"first_publication_date":55,"last_publication_date":55,"uid":54,"link_type":58,"key":506,"isBroken":60},[],"06521c36-944e-4dd3-b744-1e558bf7e6f5",[508],{"category":509},{"id":510,"type":65,"tags":511,"lang":15,"slug":512,"first_publication_date":513,"last_publication_date":513,"uid":512,"url":514,"link_type":58,"key":515,"isBroken":60},"Z-ruvRAAAB4AZB2l",[],"hiking-stories","2025-03-31T19:36:33+0000","/blog/category/hiking-stories","dca3b0f9-fb9e-4e43-b404-ddbceb99737f",[517,533,544,569,717,743,821,841,871,882],{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":518,"primary":519,"id":532,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":520},[521,529],{"type":82,"text":522,"spans":523,"direction":85},"The 5 Lakes Trail is one of the most popular day hikes around Zermatt, and for a good reason. The route connects five mountain lakes, three of which offer one of the most iconic views in the Alps: the Matterhorn reflected on the water. It's not a hard trail, it's well-marked, and you can do it in half a day. ",[524,526],{"start":525,"end":169,"type":170},4,{"start":527,"end":528,"type":170},62,69,{"type":82,"text":530,"spans":531,"direction":85},"We did this trail after completing the Haute Route, more than 220km of walking across the Alps. Our legs were tired, our bodies were done, but the promise of Matterhorn reflections on the lakes was enough to get us moving one more time. Whether you're spending a few days in Zermatt or finishing the Haute Route, this is a hike worth fitting into your schedule.",[],"text_block$ebcbbbdc-8fd0-4563-be59-b07923e7e402",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":534,"primary":535,"id":543,"slice_type":187,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":536,"caption":23},{"dimensions":537,"alt":539,"copyright":23,"url":540,"id":541,"edit":542},{"width":21,"height":538},1262,"Matterhorn views along the 5 Lakes Trail","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzZqlQnVZVESS9_DSC08124.jpg?auto=format,compress","aivzZqlQnVZVESS9",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"photo$41d0b811-f7bd-418b-99d5-dd1b95ced709",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":545,"primary":546,"id":568,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":547},[548,551,557,565],{"type":93,"text":549,"spans":550,"direction":85},"How to Get There",[],{"type":82,"text":552,"spans":553,"direction":85},"From Zermatt, take the Sunnegga Express — an underground funicular that climbs from the village to Sunnegga (2,288m) in about 4 minutes. During summer, it runs every 10 to 20 minutes. From Sunnegga, you can continue up to Blauherd by gondola when it's operating.",[554],{"start":555,"end":556,"type":170},23,39,{"type":82,"text":558,"spans":559,"direction":85},"You can check current timetables and lift status at matterhornparadise.ch.",[560],{"start":561,"end":562,"type":223,"data":563},52,73,{"link_type":225,"url":564,"target":227},"https://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/information/lifts-and-pistes",{"type":82,"text":566,"spans":567,"direction":85},"Zermatt itself is a car-free village, so you'll arrive by train from Täsch or Visp, or by foot like we did. The whole journey from Sunnegga station to the start of the trail is very easy to navigate — there are signs everywhere.",[],"text_block$6c58b0ec-c5b1-448e-a352-7dd1deaa14ae",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":570,"primary":571,"id":715,"slice_type":716,"slice_label":23},[],{"title":572,"description":576,"gps_file":619,"geojson_file":627,"elevation_data":633,"markers":639},[573],{"type":262,"text":574,"spans":575,"direction":85},"The 5 Lakes Route",[],[577,584,589,595,599,604,608,613],{"type":82,"text":578,"spans":579,"direction":85},"The 5 Lakes Trail (or Fünf-Seen-Wanderung in German) covers around 10km, and you can complete it in 3 to 4 hours at an easy pace. The trails are wide, mostly smooth underfoot, and well-signed. This is not a technical route, no exposed sections, no navigation challenges. It's a good trail for any fitness level.",[580],{"start":581,"end":582,"type":583},22,41,"em",{"type":82,"text":585,"spans":586,"direction":85},"The classic route starts at Blauherd (2,571m), reached by taking the train from Zermatt up to Sunnegga, then the gondola up to Blauherd. From there, you walk through the five lakes in this order:",[587],{"start":464,"end":588,"type":170},36,{"type":590,"text":591,"spans":592,"direction":85},"o-list-item","Stellisee: the most photographed lake on the trail, and for good reason. On a clear day, the Matterhorn reflects perfectly on the water.",[593],{"start":27,"end":594,"type":170},9,{"type":590,"text":596,"spans":597,"direction":85},"Grindjisee: a quieter lake, often less crowded, with another beautiful Matterhorn reflection.",[598],{"start":27,"end":465,"type":170},{"type":590,"text":600,"spans":601,"direction":85},"Grünsee: you can swim here. The water is cold but refreshing, especially in July and August.",[602],{"start":27,"end":603,"type":170},7,{"type":590,"text":605,"spans":606,"direction":85},"Moosjisee: a smaller reservoir lake, less dramatic than the others but a nice spot for a break.",[607],{"start":27,"end":594,"type":170},{"type":590,"text":609,"spans":610,"direction":85},"Leisee: the final lake, right above Sunnegga, where you can also swim. There's even a small kids' area here in summer.",[611],{"start":27,"end":612,"type":170},6,{"type":82,"text":614,"spans":615,"direction":85},"You finish the route at Sunnegga and take the underground railway back down to Zermatt. If you want to start directly from Sunnegga, it's also possible, there is a trail connecting the two places.",[616],{"start":617,"end":618,"type":170},24,32,{"link_type":620,"key":621,"kind":622,"id":623,"url":624,"name":625,"size":626},"Media","f9ea06dc-f32a-46fc-b250-112f1204ec9a","file","aivr66lQnVZVESOb","https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/takeahike/aivr66lQnVZVESOb_5-lakeroute.gpx","5-lake route.gpx","219247",{"link_type":620,"key":628,"kind":622,"id":629,"url":630,"name":631,"size":632},"1035cc90-eb1f-4391-ad1c-43a93c822dbe","aivr6qlQnVZVESOZ","https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/takeahike/aivr6qlQnVZVESOZ_5-lakeroute.geojson","5-lake route.geojson","4061",{"link_type":620,"key":634,"kind":622,"id":635,"url":636,"name":637,"size":638},"944608ca-727b-4305-8e70-fc1428c82067","aivr6alQnVZVESOX","https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/takeahike/aivr6alQnVZVESOX_elevation-data.geojson","elevation-data.geojson","50335",[640,650,660,669,678,687,696,706],{"coordinates":641,"name":644,"description":645,"type":646,"image":647},{"latitude":642,"longitude":643},46.017311,7.769963,"Sunnegga Station",[],"Info",{"thumb":648,"large":649},{},{},{"coordinates":651,"name":654,"description":655,"type":656,"image":657},{"latitude":652,"longitude":653},46.014968,7.772645,"Lake Leisee",[],"Photo",{"thumb":658,"large":659},{},{},{"coordinates":661,"name":664,"description":665,"type":656,"image":666},{"latitude":662,"longitude":663},46.01035,7.779554,"Lake Moosjisee",[],{"thumb":667,"large":668},{},{},{"coordinates":670,"name":673,"description":674,"type":656,"image":675},{"latitude":671,"longitude":672},46.005558,7.785659,"Lake Grünsee",[],{"thumb":676,"large":677},{},{},{"coordinates":679,"name":682,"description":683,"type":656,"image":684},{"latitude":680,"longitude":681},46.011475,7.791624,"Lake Grindjisee",[],{"thumb":685,"large":686},{},{},{"coordinates":688,"name":691,"description":692,"type":656,"image":693},{"latitude":689,"longitude":690},46.01344,7.80025,"Lake Stellisee",[],{"thumb":694,"large":695},{},{},{"coordinates":697,"name":700,"description":701,"type":702,"image":703},{"latitude":698,"longitude":699},46.01263,7.81098,"Fluhalp Mountain Hut",[],"Refugio",{"thumb":704,"large":705},{},{},{"coordinates":707,"name":710,"description":711,"type":646,"image":712},{"latitude":708,"longitude":709},46.017048,7.78568,"Blauherd Gondola Station",[],{"thumb":713,"large":714},{},{},"simple_map$d4ccf698-7323-4971-ba80-52421fe2ff05","simple_map",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":718,"primary":719,"id":742,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":720},[721,724,736,739],{"type":93,"text":722,"spans":723,"direction":85},"The Lakes and the Matterhorn Reflection",[],{"type":82,"text":725,"spans":726,"direction":85},"The big draw here is the Matterhorn reflection on the lakes, and three of the five lakes deliver this if the conditions are right: Stellisee, Grindjisee, and Leisee.",[727,730,733],{"start":728,"end":729,"type":170},131,140,{"start":731,"end":732,"type":170},142,152,{"start":734,"end":735,"type":170},158,164,{"type":82,"text":737,"spans":738,"direction":85},"\"If the conditions are right\" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. When we did this hike, the Matterhorn was almost completely covered by clouds. We had a few short windows where the tip of the mountain appeared, and we caught some partial reflections on Stellisee and Grindjisee, but not the postcard view we were hoping for.",[],{"type":82,"text":740,"spans":741,"direction":85},"We don't regret going. The lakes are beautiful regardless of the Matterhorn, the air at 2500m felt clean after weeks on the trail, and there was something satisfying about finishing the Haute Route with one last walk in the Swiss Alps. But if you're going specifically for the reflection photos, aim for early morning on a clear day. The light is better, the water is calmer, and there are fewer people around.",[],"text_block$12325d53-d0e9-4308-973d-7dbb4e91c683",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":744,"primary":818,"id":819,"slice_type":820,"slice_label":23},[745,759,773,790,804],{"image":746},{"dimensions":747,"alt":484,"copyright":23,"url":748,"id":749,"edit":750,"large":751,"full":755},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzYqlQnVZVESS4_DSC08138.jpg?auto=format,compress","aivzYqlQnVZVESS4",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":752,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":753,"id":749,"edit":754},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzYqlQnVZVESS4_DSC08138.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":756,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":757,"id":749,"edit":758},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzYqlQnVZVESS4_DSC08138.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":760},{"dimensions":761,"alt":539,"copyright":23,"url":762,"id":763,"edit":764,"large":765,"full":769},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/ajKct41P9HI4Unna_DSC08105.jpg?auto=format,compress","ajKct41P9HI4Unna",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":766,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":767,"id":763,"edit":768},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/ajKct41P9HI4Unna_DSC08105.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":770,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":771,"id":763,"edit":772},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/ajKct41P9HI4Unna_DSC08105.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":774},{"dimensions":775,"alt":777,"copyright":23,"url":778,"id":779,"edit":780,"large":781,"full":786},{"width":21,"height":776},1260,"Views to a glaciar along the 5 Lakes Trail","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzZalQnVZVESS8_DSC08112.jpg?auto=format,compress","aivzZalQnVZVESS8",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":782,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":784,"id":779,"edit":785},{"width":45,"height":783},945,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzZalQnVZVESS8_DSC08112.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1260&w=1440&h=945",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":787,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":788,"id":779,"edit":789},{"width":21,"height":776},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzZalQnVZVESS8_DSC08112.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1260&w=1920&h=1260",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":791},{"dimensions":792,"alt":539,"copyright":23,"url":793,"id":794,"edit":795,"large":796,"full":800},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzZ6lQnVZVESS-_DSC08129.jpg?auto=format,compress","aivzZ6lQnVZVESS-",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":797,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":798,"id":794,"edit":799},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzZ6lQnVZVESS-_DSC08129.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":801,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":802,"id":794,"edit":803},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aivzZ6lQnVZVESS-_DSC08129.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":805},{"dimensions":806,"alt":673,"copyright":23,"url":807,"id":808,"edit":809,"large":810,"full":814},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/ajKcyI1P9HI4Unnj_DSC08116.jpg?auto=format,compress","ajKcyI1P9HI4Unnj",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":811,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":812,"id":808,"edit":813},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/ajKcyI1P9HI4Unnj_DSC08116.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":815,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":816,"id":808,"edit":817},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/ajKcyI1P9HI4Unnj_DSC08116.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{},"photos_slider$3fb59711-cf8f-4a91-bcd2-af64c1b3bf84","photos_slider",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":822,"primary":823,"id":840,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":824},[825,828,834,837],{"type":93,"text":826,"spans":827,"direction":85},"Fluhalp Hut: A Great Overnight Option",[],{"type":82,"text":829,"spans":830,"direction":85},"The trail passes close to Fluhalp (2,620m), a mountain hut between Stellisee and Grindjisee that's worth knowing about. We spent our last night in the Alps there, in a private room with views straight to the Matterhorn. Dinner was excellent, proper Alpine cuisine, not just soup and bread. It felt like a fitting way to end our crossing of the Alps.",[831],{"start":832,"end":833,"type":170},26,33,{"type":82,"text":835,"spans":836,"direction":85},"The hut is open roughly from mid-June to early October and offers a mix of accommodation: private double rooms, triple rooms, and shared dormitories. If you want to catch the morning light on Stellisee without waking up at 5am in Zermatt and rushing to catch the first lift, staying at Fluhalp is the way to do it.",[],{"type":82,"text":838,"spans":839,"direction":85},"Book in advance during July and August — it fills up fast.",[],"text_block$35877366-58fe-4118-8354-ac18ff0f6846",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":842,"primary":869,"id":870,"slice_type":154,"slice_label":23},[843,856],{"image":844,"text":854,"video":855},{"dimensions":845,"alt":846,"copyright":23,"url":847,"id":848,"edit":849,"large":850},{"width":21,"height":21},"Views from the mountain hut Fluhalp","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiv0VqlQnVZVESTa_PXL_20220818_150223951-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","aiv0VqlQnVZVESTa",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":851,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":852,"id":848,"edit":853},{"width":45,"height":45},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiv0VqlQnVZVESTa_PXL_20220818_150223951-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1920&w=1440&h=1440",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},[],{"link_type":137},{"image":857,"text":867,"video":868},{"dimensions":858,"alt":859,"copyright":23,"url":860,"id":861,"edit":862,"large":863},{"width":21,"height":21},"Matterhorn on a cloudy day","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiv0V6lQnVZVESTb_DSC08096-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","aiv0V6lQnVZVESTb",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":864,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":865,"id":861,"edit":866},{"width":45,"height":45},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiv0V6lQnVZVESTb_DSC08096-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1920&w=1440&h=1440",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},[],{"link_type":137},{},"collumns$47b506cc-5903-4447-bb64-13f6334eb4b6",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":872,"primary":873,"id":881,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":874},[875,878],{"type":82,"text":876,"spans":877,"direction":85},"The 5 Lakes Trail is one of those hikes that earns its reputation. The combination of five different lakes, easy terrain, and the Matterhorn as a constant backdrop makes it one of the best half-day routes in the Alps. Even with clouds — like when we did it — it's a beautiful walk.",[],{"type":82,"text":879,"spans":880,"direction":85},"If you're considering combining this trail with a longer route like the Haute Route, check out our full Walker's Haute Route guide for everything you need to know before you go.",[],"text_block$2deac117-31db-4f2e-8356-0aed7ac02ee8",{"variation":883,"version":77,"items":884,"primary":885,"id":897,"slice_type":898,"slice_label":23},"hikes",[],{"hikes":886},[887],{"hike":888},{"id":889,"type":883,"tags":890,"lang":15,"slug":891,"first_publication_date":892,"last_publication_date":893,"uid":894,"url":895,"link_type":58,"key":896,"isBroken":60},"ZJGjdxEAACkAC2tM",[],"walkers-haute-route","2023-06-20T13:10:52+0000","2026-06-02T10:35:37+0000","haute-route","/hike/haute-route","34495c26-d85f-43b6-9057-ca77f2503633","related_content$6dbfc6a1-4408-4c94-ba9c-82bcf6eae377","related_content",{},{"id":901,"uid":902,"url":903,"type":7,"href":904,"tags":905,"first_publication_date":906,"last_publication_date":906,"slugs":907,"linked_documents":909,"lang":15,"alternate_languages":910,"data":911},"aiABXBEAACgAglSq","europaweg-trail-closures-on-walkers-haute-route-2026","/blog/europaweg-trail-closures-on-walkers-haute-route-2026","https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/api/v2/documents/search?ref=at43_hIAAC4A333o&q=%5B%5B%3Ad+%3D+at%28document.id%2C+%22aiABXBEAACgAglSq%22%29+%5D%5D",[],"2026-06-03T13:15:10+0000",[908],"what-is-the-europaweg-and-its-current-status",[],[],{"title":912,"cover":913,"short_description":931,"author":932,"categories":935,"color_theme":73,"slices":944,"meta_title":23,"meta_description":23,"meta_image":1087},"Europaweg Trail Closures on Walker's Haute Route 2026",{"dimensions":914,"alt":915,"copyright":23,"url":916,"id":917,"edit":918,"thumb":919,"mobile":923,"large":927},{"width":21,"height":483},"Ottafe, Täsch, Switzerland","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAIwweQX7-eWpwT_DSC08062-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","aiAIwweQX7-eWpwT",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":920,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":921,"id":917,"edit":922},{"width":32,"height":33},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAIwweQX7-eWpwT_DSC08062-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=96,0,1728,1080&w=800&h=500",{"x":492,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":924,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":925,"id":917,"edit":926},{"width":39,"height":495},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAIwweQX7-eWpwT_DSC08062-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1080&w=400&h=225",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":928,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":929,"id":917,"edit":930},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAIwweQX7-eWpwT_DSC08062-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=150,0,1620,1080&w=1440&h=960",{"x":502,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"The Europaweg has an important closed sections in 2026. Here's what's shut, where the detours go, and how to plan your Walker's Haute Route finish accordingly.",{"id":51,"type":52,"tags":933,"lang":15,"slug":54,"first_publication_date":55,"last_publication_date":55,"uid":54,"link_type":58,"key":934,"isBroken":60},[],"5167a341-812e-439b-b7f8-24841b192784",[936],{"category":937},{"id":938,"type":65,"tags":939,"lang":15,"slug":940,"first_publication_date":941,"last_publication_date":941,"uid":940,"url":942,"link_type":58,"key":943,"isBroken":60},"aiAG5REAACcAgl_l",[],"trail-updates","2026-06-03T10:50:25+0000","/blog/category/trail-updates","906f254c-7010-496c-bbca-8b86831c5aea",[945,956,970,1000,1031,1065,1082],{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":946,"primary":947,"id":955,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":948},[949,952],{"type":82,"text":950,"spans":951,"direction":85},"If you're planning to hike the Walker's Haute Route in 2026, there's one thing you need to know before you finalize your itinerary: the Europaweg is partially closed, and the detours are more significant than they might look on a map. This isn't a minor trail diversion — one of the closures adds a full descent and re-ascent to your final days on the route.",[],{"type":82,"text":953,"spans":954,"direction":85},"Here's exactly what's closed, where the detours go, and what we'd factor in when planning.",[],"text_block$6969aa0e-13fb-4c5e-b823-b39856cb18e5",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":957,"primary":958,"id":969,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":959},[960,963,966],{"type":93,"text":961,"spans":962,"direction":85},"What is the Europaweg and its current status",[],{"type":82,"text":964,"spans":965,"direction":85},"The Europaweg is the last section of the Walker's Haute Route, a 39km high-balcony trail that runs between Grächen and Zermatt. It's widely considered one of the most beautiful 2-day stretches in the Alps — you walk with a continuous panorama of the Valais giants including, at the end, the Matterhorn.",[],{"type":82,"text":967,"spans":968,"direction":85},"For most hikers, arriving in Zermatt via the Europaweg is the natural finish to the entire Haute Route. The trail rewards weeks of effort with some of the best views of the whole journey. So the closures hit at the worst possible moment.",[],"text_block$bf626c39-69c9-48fd-aaa1-4084bad91bba",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":971,"primary":998,"id":999,"slice_type":154,"slice_label":23},[972,985],{"image":973,"text":983,"video":984},{"dimensions":974,"alt":975,"copyright":23,"url":976,"id":977,"edit":978,"large":979},{"width":21,"height":22},"Europaweg trail","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAJ6weQX7-eWpx3_DSC08053-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","aiAJ6weQX7-eWpx3",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":980,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":981,"id":977,"edit":982},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAJ6weQX7-eWpx3_DSC08053-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},[],{"link_type":137},{"image":986,"text":996,"video":997},{"dimensions":987,"alt":988,"copyright":23,"url":989,"id":990,"edit":991,"large":992},{"width":21,"height":22},"Europaweg tunnel","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAJ6weQX7-eWpx4_DSC08058-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","aiAJ6weQX7-eWpx4",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":993,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":994,"id":990,"edit":995},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAJ6weQX7-eWpx4_DSC08058-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},[],{"link_type":137},{},"collumns$5cfa80ce-8270-443f-8428-634429a4447e",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1001,"primary":1002,"id":1030,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1003},[1004,1007,1010,1013,1016,1025],{"type":93,"text":1005,"spans":1006,"direction":85},"The Balcony Section: between Grat and Galenberg (permanent)",[],{"type":82,"text":1008,"spans":1009,"direction":85},"In 2018, a major rockfall caused permanent damage to the high balcony section of the Europaweg. The authorities assessed the terrain and decided it was not safe or practical to rebuild. That section — between Grat and Galenberg — remains closed indefinitely.",[],{"type":82,"text":1011,"spans":1012,"direction":85},"This means hikers can no longer join the Europaweg directly from St. Niklaus, which is the traditional access point coming from the previous stage. Instead, from St. Niklaus you follow a lower trail that contours through the forest in the valley. You rejoin the Europaweg at Galenberg, just before Europahütte.",[],{"type":82,"text":1014,"spans":1015,"direction":85},"The detour is manageable and well-marked, but you miss the upper balcony section that most people come to walk. From Galenberg onwards to Zermatt, the trail is open and the iconic views are still there — but if you were hoping for the full high route, this part is gone for good.",[],{"type":1017,"url":1018,"alt":1019,"copyright":23,"dimensions":1020,"id":1023,"edit":1024},"image","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAnXgeQX7-eWqOi_balcony-closure.jpg?auto=format,compress","Screenshot from Hike Planner",{"width":1021,"height":1022},793,566,"aiAnXgeQX7-eWqOi",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"type":82,"text":1026,"spans":1027,"direction":85},"Screenshot from our Hike Planner tool",[1028],{"start":27,"end":1029,"type":583},37,"text_block$f3c02ee9-7d91-45b9-b686-79b2632f0fc1",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1032,"primary":1033,"id":1064,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1034},[1035,1038,1041,1044,1047,1054,1061],{"type":93,"text":1036,"spans":1037,"direction":85},"The Tunnels Section: between Springelboden and Eggenstadel (2026)",[],{"type":82,"text":1039,"spans":1040,"direction":85},"In 2024, another rockfall damaged the tunnel section of the Europaweg between Springelboden (on the north side) and Eggenstadel (on the south side). As of 2026, this section remains closed until further notice, and it is widely expected to stay shut throughout the 2026 hiking season.",[],{"type":82,"text":1042,"spans":1043,"direction":85},"This closure forces a significant detour: hikers must descend all the way down to Täsch, the town in the valley, and then climb back up again to rejoin the trail. Täsch sits at around 1,450m, meaning 790m of descending and 720m of ascending back to the main trail.",[],{"type":82,"text":1045,"spans":1046,"direction":85},"This is the one that requires real planning. If you were hoping to complete the Europaweg over two comfortable days with a night at Europahütte, factor in the extra time and elevation change this detour adds.",[],{"type":82,"text":1048,"spans":1049,"direction":85},"The official closure page is here: zermatt.swiss — Europaweg. Check it before you go — the situation may evolve.",[1050],{"start":1051,"end":222,"type":223,"data":1052},35,{"link_type":225,"url":1053,"target":227},"https://zermatt.swiss/en/p/europaweg-01tVj000005EufKIAS",{"type":1017,"url":1055,"alt":1019,"copyright":23,"dimensions":1056,"id":1059,"edit":1060},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/aiAnXgeQX7-eWqOj_tunnels-closure.jpg?auto=format,compress",{"width":1057,"height":1058},938,591,"aiAnXgeQX7-eWqOj",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"type":82,"text":1026,"spans":1062,"direction":85},[1063],{"start":27,"end":1029,"type":583},"text_block$697bf2b9-e03e-4434-bfd2-d63e38ab282d",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1066,"primary":1067,"id":1081,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1068},[1069,1072,1078],{"type":93,"text":1070,"spans":1071,"direction":85},"Plan your stages with the closures in mind",[],{"type":82,"text":1073,"spans":1074,"direction":85},"The Europaweg closures add real complexity to planning the final days of the Haute Route. If you're building your itinerary now, our Hike Planner lets you map out stages, select variants, adjust distances, which helps when you're trying to figure out where the Täsch detour falls relative to your planned overnight at Europahütte.",[1075],{"start":1076,"end":1077,"type":170},133,145,{"type":82,"text":1079,"spans":1080,"direction":85},"The Haute Route is still one of the great long-distance hikes in the Alps, and the Europaweg finish — even with detours — is still worth every step. Just go in knowing what to expect.",[],"text_block$f3f06ebf-86fe-434f-98dc-3e7aab29abe2",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1083,"primary":1084,"id":1086,"slice_type":460,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":1085},{},"planner_banner$d6725cc4-6545-4931-b1cd-230a7e23201a",{},{"id":1089,"uid":1090,"url":1091,"type":7,"href":1092,"tags":1093,"first_publication_date":1094,"last_publication_date":1095,"slugs":1096,"linked_documents":1098,"lang":15,"alternate_languages":1099,"data":1100},"aqq6zBIAACwAeDkc","finlands-right-to-roam-wild-camping-and-wilderness-facilities","/blog/finlands-right-to-roam-wild-camping-and-wilderness-facilities","https://takeahike.cdn.prismic.io/api/v2/documents/search?ref=at43_hIAAC4A333o&q=%5B%5B%3Ad+%3D+at%28document.id%2C+%22aqq6zBIAACwAeDkc%22%29+%5D%5D",[],"2026-09-26T14:01:27+0000","2026-09-26T14:01:48+0000",[1097],"the-right-to-roam-in-finland",[],[],{"title":1101,"cover":1102,"short_description":1122,"author":1123,"categories":1126,"color_theme":73,"slices":1131,"meta_title":23,"meta_description":23,"meta_image":1437},"Finland's Right to Roam, Wild Camping and Wilderness Facilities",{"dimensions":1103,"alt":1104,"copyright":23,"url":1105,"id":1106,"edit":1107,"thumb":1108,"mobile":1113,"large":1118},{"width":21,"height":22},"Ansakamppa Wilderness Hut","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/8ec47eV-IySArll6_DSC05787.jpg?auto=format,compress","8ec47eV-IySArll6",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1109,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":1110,"id":1106,"edit":1111},{"width":32,"height":33},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/8ec47eV-IySArll6_DSC05787.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,40,1920,1200&w=800&h=500",{"x":27,"y":1112,"zoom":28,"background":29},40,{"dimensions":1114,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":1116,"id":1106,"edit":1117},{"width":39,"height":1115},267,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/8ec47eV-IySArll6_DSC05787.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=1,0,1918,1280&w=400&h=267",{"x":28,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1119,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":1120,"id":1106,"edit":1121},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/8ec47eV-IySArll6_DSC05787.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"Wondering if you can wild camp in Finland? Here's how the right to roam actually works, plus the huts and shelters you'll find on every trail.",{"id":51,"type":52,"tags":1124,"lang":15,"slug":54,"first_publication_date":55,"last_publication_date":55,"uid":54,"link_type":58,"key":1125,"isBroken":60},[],"e6ac2446-575f-47e9-9761-7fdaf93ee9a5",[1127],{"category":1128},{"id":64,"type":65,"tags":1129,"lang":15,"slug":67,"first_publication_date":68,"last_publication_date":68,"uid":67,"url":69,"link_type":58,"key":1130,"isBroken":60},[],"0bc89856-450b-4d4f-8c32-af4857ae5b82",[1132,1145,1155,1172,1265,1344,1361,1393,1429],{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1133,"primary":1134,"id":1144,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1135},[1136,1139],{"type":82,"text":1137,"spans":1138,"direction":85},"Finland doesn't have the big peaks you'll find in the Alps or the Pyrenees, but it makes up for it with something most other countries don't offer: the right to roam almost anywhere, and a network of free wilderness facilities along the trails, such as shelters, toilets and fire pits. If you're planning a hiking or camping trip there, understanding these two things will help you to take full advantage of what Finland has to offer.",[],{"type":82,"text":1140,"spans":1141,"direction":85},"In this post, we go through the right to roam (jokamiehenoikeudet, or everyman's right), the different wilderness installations you'll find on Finnish trails, and a few things worth knowing before you head out.",[1142],{"start":1143,"end":378,"type":583},47,"text_block$d05ca84a-2b16-4b72-9cab-e431cff26aea",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1146,"primary":1147,"id":1154,"slice_type":187,"slice_label":23},[],{"image":1148,"caption":1150},{"dimensions":1149,"alt":1150,"copyright":23,"url":1151,"id":1152,"edit":1153},{"width":21,"height":22},"Jussinkämppä Wilderness Hut","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/djWxvv3bgSuUOQgI_DSC05723.jpg?auto=format,compress","djWxvv3bgSuUOQgI",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"photo$1fb8f026-1fb0-4175-b9d5-87e5054fbb33",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1156,"primary":1157,"id":1171,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1158},[1159,1162,1165,1168],{"type":93,"text":1160,"spans":1161,"direction":85},"The right to roam in Finland",[],{"type":82,"text":1163,"spans":1164,"direction":85},"Like the other Nordic countries, Finland gives the public a lot of freedom to access nature. The right to roam means you can walk, camp, pick berries and mushrooms, and even fish in most lakes and rivers, without needing to ask permission or pay for access.",[],{"type":82,"text":1166,"spans":1167,"direction":85},"In practice, this means you can pitch a tent almost anywhere that isn't private land close to a house, an urban area, or a place with explicit restrictions, for a maximum of two nights in the same spot. Some national parks and protected areas narrow this down further, usually by requiring you to camp only in designated areas. It's worth checking the specific rules for any park before you go, since they're not identical everywhere.",[],{"type":82,"text":1169,"spans":1170,"direction":85},"The right comes with a responsibility attached: don't damage the land, don't disturb wildlife, and don't leave litter behind. It's a system that works because people respect it, not because someone is checking.",[],"text_block$be2c4f57-a7cf-47d7-a1df-86a69a1fea25",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1173,"primary":1263,"id":1264,"slice_type":820,"slice_label":23},[1174,1189,1204,1219,1234,1248],{"image":1175},{"dimensions":1176,"alt":1177,"copyright":23,"url":1178,"id":1179,"edit":1180,"large":1181,"full":1185},{"width":21,"height":22},"Wild mushrooms in Finland","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/TkxBl4dU-wNoZITa_DSC05710.jpg?auto=format,compress","TkxBl4dU-wNoZITa",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1182,"alt":1177,"copyright":23,"url":1183,"id":1179,"edit":1184},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/TkxBl4dU-wNoZITa_DSC05710.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1186,"alt":1177,"copyright":23,"url":1187,"id":1179,"edit":1188},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/TkxBl4dU-wNoZITa_DSC05710.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":1190},{"dimensions":1191,"alt":1192,"copyright":23,"url":1193,"id":1194,"edit":1195,"large":1196,"full":1200},{"width":297,"height":297},"Wild blueberries straight from the forests along Karhunkierros","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/iaO6YYKmS6ugUUNx_PXL_20260803_040341493.jpg?auto=format,compress","iaO6YYKmS6ugUUNx",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1197,"alt":1192,"copyright":23,"url":1198,"id":1194,"edit":1199},{"width":45,"height":45},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/iaO6YYKmS6ugUUNx_PXL_20260803_040341493.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2000,2000&w=1440&h=1440",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1201,"alt":1192,"copyright":23,"url":1202,"id":1194,"edit":1203},{"width":21,"height":21},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/iaO6YYKmS6ugUUNx_PXL_20260803_040341493.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2000,2000&w=1920&h=1920",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":1205},{"dimensions":1206,"alt":1207,"copyright":23,"url":1208,"id":1209,"edit":1210,"large":1211,"full":1215},{"width":21,"height":22},"Picnic sheltered table in Finland","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/WUWpJbUXJ14_I6vI_DSC05351.jpg?auto=format,compress","WUWpJbUXJ14_I6vI",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1212,"alt":1207,"copyright":23,"url":1213,"id":1209,"edit":1214},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/WUWpJbUXJ14_I6vI_DSC05351.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1216,"alt":1207,"copyright":23,"url":1217,"id":1209,"edit":1218},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/WUWpJbUXJ14_I6vI_DSC05351.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":1220},{"dimensions":1221,"alt":1222,"copyright":23,"url":1223,"id":1224,"edit":1225,"large":1226,"full":1230},{"width":21,"height":22},"Wild camping in Finland","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/8_3-qmiNfqXXU38w_DSC05392-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","8_3-qmiNfqXXU38w",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1227,"alt":1222,"copyright":23,"url":1228,"id":1224,"edit":1229},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/8_3-qmiNfqXXU38w_DSC05392-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1231,"alt":1222,"copyright":23,"url":1232,"id":1224,"edit":1233},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/8_3-qmiNfqXXU38w_DSC05392-2.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":1235},{"dimensions":1236,"alt":1177,"copyright":23,"url":1237,"id":1238,"edit":1239,"large":1240,"full":1244},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/J9P8wtU9XR06OeGp_DSC05950.jpg?auto=format,compress","J9P8wtU9XR06OeGp",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1241,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":1242,"id":1238,"edit":1243},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/J9P8wtU9XR06OeGp_DSC05950.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1245,"alt":23,"copyright":23,"url":1246,"id":1238,"edit":1247},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/J9P8wtU9XR06OeGp_DSC05950.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"image":1249},{"dimensions":1250,"alt":1251,"copyright":23,"url":1252,"id":1253,"edit":1254,"large":1255,"full":1259},{"width":21,"height":22},"A typical wood shed in Finland","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/HG4b3jpUvQHXg5vE_DSC05793.jpg?auto=format,compress","HG4b3jpUvQHXg5vE",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1256,"alt":1251,"copyright":23,"url":1257,"id":1253,"edit":1258},{"width":45,"height":46},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/HG4b3jpUvQHXg5vE_DSC05793.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1440&h=960",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1260,"alt":1251,"copyright":23,"url":1261,"id":1253,"edit":1262},{"width":21,"height":22},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/HG4b3jpUvQHXg5vE_DSC05793.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1920,1280&w=1920&h=1280",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{},"photos_slider$dd64df0a-7ffd-439f-9ebe-1e1097026c63",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1266,"primary":1267,"id":1343,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1268},[1269,1272,1275,1278,1281,1284,1287,1293,1296,1299,1305,1308,1311,1317,1320,1323,1329,1332,1335,1338],{"type":93,"text":1270,"spans":1271,"direction":85},"Wilderness installations along the trail",[],{"type":82,"text":1273,"spans":1274,"direction":85},"What surprised us most hiking in Finland, both in summer and winter, was how well equipped the trails are. You'll regularly find dry toilets, fire pits, wood sheds, camping spots, and even full wilderness huts, all free to use and maintained by local providers. There's no staff and no reservation system, so it only works if everyone who uses these places leaves them in good shape for the next person.",[],{"type":82,"text":1276,"spans":1277,"direction":85},"Trail maps and info boards usually mark all of this along the route, so you know what to expect before you set off. Here's what each type of facility actually means.",[],{"type":262,"text":1279,"spans":1280,"direction":85},"Huussi — the dry toilet",[],{"type":82,"text":1282,"spans":1283,"direction":85},"The dry toilet is about as basic as it gets, and you'll find one at almost every rest area we've stopped at in Finland. It's part of the country's cultural heritage. Even in cities, people used dry toilets well into the 20th century, and they're still common at summer cottages today.",[],{"type":82,"text":1285,"spans":1286,"direction":85},"You'll recognize a huussi as a small wooden cabin with a toilet seat, a shovel, and some composting material you're expected to add on top after use. Biodegradable waste, including food scraps and toilet paper, can go in there too.",[],{"type":1017,"url":1288,"alt":1289,"copyright":23,"dimensions":1290,"id":1291,"edit":1292},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/PrT1Rp_Owe2Dcrur_DSC05572-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","Huussi, a traditional dry-toilet in Finland",{"width":21,"height":22},"PrT1Rp_Owe2Dcrur",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"type":262,"text":1294,"spans":1295,"direction":85},"Nuotiopaikka — the fire place and wood shed",[],{"type":82,"text":1297,"spans":1298,"direction":85},"Open fires are generally allowed in Finland's nature, as long as there's no fire alert active for the area. Along the trails, you'll find dedicated fire pits with a safe setup, plus a wood shed stocked with logs and tools like a saw and an axe. These sheds are usually well maintained and restocked every winter and summer. It's good trail etiquette to cut a bit of extra wood for whoever comes after you.",[],{"type":1017,"url":1300,"alt":1301,"copyright":23,"dimensions":1302,"id":1303,"edit":1304},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/k-Y0lKltH6VPNXQR_DSC05765.jpg?auto=format,compress","Wilderness fire place in Finland",{"width":21,"height":22},"k-Y0lKltH6VPNXQR",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"type":262,"text":1306,"spans":1307,"direction":85},"Laavu — the lean-to shelter",[],{"type":82,"text":1309,"spans":1310,"direction":85},"This might be the most common structure you'll come across hiking in Finland. A laavu is a semi-open, three-sided shelter, almost always paired with a fire pit right in front. Some have basic extras like sticks for cooking sausages over the fire. You can sleep in one if you need to, but keep the mosquitoes in mind, since it's open on one side, you won't get much protection from them.",[],{"type":1017,"url":1312,"alt":1313,"copyright":23,"dimensions":1314,"id":1315,"edit":1316},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/OnAB3lgBwwZ2lN07_DSC05464-2.jpg?auto=format,compress","Laavu, a lean-to-shelter",{"width":21,"height":22},"OnAB3lgBwwZ2lN07",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"type":262,"text":1318,"spans":1319,"direction":85},"Kota — the closed fire place",[],{"type":82,"text":1321,"spans":1322,"direction":85},"A kota is especially useful in winter: a fully enclosed structure with seating arranged in a circle around a central fire pit, so you can warm up out of the wind. It comes from Sámi culture, shaped like a pole tent with an opening at the top for smoke to escape.",[],{"type":1017,"url":1324,"alt":1325,"copyright":23,"dimensions":1326,"id":1327,"edit":1328},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/o3qH_8JrI2zR2Mwq_DSC05695.jpg?auto=format,compress","Kota, a sheltered fire place",{"width":21,"height":22},"o3qH_8JrI2zR2Mwq",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"type":262,"text":1330,"spans":1331,"direction":85},"Autiotupa — the wilderness hut",[],{"type":82,"text":1333,"spans":1334,"direction":85},"This is the full package: a proper shelter with beds, tables, a stove, and often cooking equipment and gas you can use to prepare meals. Every autiotupa we've stayed in was in good condition, with room for anywhere from 10 to 20 people, one even had private double rooms.",[],{"type":82,"text":1336,"spans":1337,"direction":85},"There's no staff and no way to book ahead, so during summer these huts can fill up. Come prepared to pitch a tent or move on to the next spot if there's no space left, and remember the same two-night maximum applies here too.",[],{"type":1017,"url":1339,"alt":1104,"copyright":23,"dimensions":1340,"id":1341,"edit":1342},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/obOQ6X1DBIyizZHH_DSC05780.jpg?auto=format,compress",{"width":21,"height":22},"obOQ6X1DBIyizZHH",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},"text_block$c3b14877-4695-4317-9bf9-00c2777f4a3d",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1345,"primary":1346,"id":1360,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1347},[1348,1351,1357],{"type":93,"text":1349,"spans":1350,"direction":85},"Kuksa — the Finnish camping cup",[],{"type":82,"text":1352,"spans":1353,"direction":85},"If you want to blend in like a local, get yourself a kuksa: a traditional cup carved from birch, originally from Sámi culture and now used by hikers all over Finland. Making one is part of duodji, the traditional Sámi handicraft tradition built around durable, functional, and good-looking everyday objects.",[1354],{"start":1355,"end":1356,"type":583},189,195,{"type":82,"text":1358,"spans":1359,"direction":85},"Tradition says you should either carve your own kuksa or receive one as a gift, but if carving isn't your thing, you can pick one up at almost any outdoor or souvenir shop.",[],"text_block$db593118-1c6c-45b7-83e4-75215c2af257",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1362,"primary":1391,"id":1392,"slice_type":154,"slice_label":23},[1363,1376],{"image":1364,"text":1374,"video":1375},{"dimensions":1365,"alt":1366,"copyright":23,"url":1367,"id":1368,"edit":1369,"large":1370},{"width":297,"height":297},"A Kuksa and Tupla chocolate","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/USkZUvc0sdBwQBv3_PXL_20260801_150416840.jpg?auto=format,compress","USkZUvc0sdBwQBv3",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1371,"alt":1366,"copyright":23,"url":1372,"id":1368,"edit":1373},{"width":45,"height":45},"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/USkZUvc0sdBwQBv3_PXL_20260801_150416840.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,2000,2000&w=1440&h=1440",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},[],{"link_type":137},{"image":1377,"text":1389,"video":1390},{"dimensions":1378,"alt":1380,"copyright":23,"url":1381,"id":1382,"edit":1383,"large":1384},{"width":1379,"height":21},1536,"Kuksa, the traditional wooden cup","https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/eNcWlW7jhQP4AKvj_DSC05471-6.jpg?auto=format,compress","eNcWlW7jhQP4AKvj",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},{"dimensions":1385,"alt":1380,"copyright":23,"url":1387,"id":1382,"edit":1388},{"width":45,"height":1386},1800,"https://images.prismic.io/takeahike/eNcWlW7jhQP4AKvj_DSC05471-6.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,1536,1920&w=1440&h=1800",{"x":27,"y":27,"zoom":28,"background":29},[],{"link_type":137},{},"collumns$53fb899e-e454-479d-b585-91898200e4d7",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1394,"primary":1395,"id":1428,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1396},[1397,1400,1405,1410,1415,1419,1424],{"type":93,"text":1398,"spans":1399,"direction":85},"A few things worth knowing",[],{"type":100,"text":1401,"spans":1402,"direction":85},"Fire pits and wood sheds are shared resources — cut a bit extra for the next hiker, and don't take more wood than you need.",[1403],{"start":27,"end":1404,"type":170},45,{"type":100,"text":1406,"spans":1407,"direction":85},"Autiotupa huts can't be booked, so always have a backup plan (tent or a nearby laavu) for peak summer weekends.",[1408],{"start":27,"end":1409,"type":170},30,{"type":100,"text":1411,"spans":1412,"direction":85},"Mosquitoes can be brutal in summer, especially near lakes and in Lapland. Bring a repellent that actually works on Finnish mosquitoes, and consider a head net if you're sensitive to bites.",[1413],{"start":27,"end":1414,"type":170},34,{"type":100,"text":1416,"spans":1417,"direction":85},"The two-night rule applies everywhere you wild camp or use an autiotupa, not just in national parks.",[1418],{"start":27,"end":1029,"type":170},{"type":100,"text":1420,"spans":1421,"direction":85},"Picking berries and mushrooms is part of the right to roam, but don't take more than you'll actually eat, and be careful with mushrooms — if you don't know how to identify them, some are poisonous, so leave the ones you're unsure about alone.",[1422],{"start":27,"end":1423,"type":170},58,{"type":100,"text":1425,"spans":1426,"direction":85},"Bring some sausages to grill over the fire pits if you can. It sounds simple, but it's about as Finnish as it gets.",[1427],{"start":27,"end":1143,"type":170},"text_block$33ae2d48-6439-41ca-9aee-f0664fa44ccb",{"variation":76,"version":77,"items":1430,"primary":1431,"id":1436,"slice_type":87,"slice_label":23},[],{"text":1432},[1433],{"type":82,"text":1434,"spans":1435,"direction":85},"Finland might not have the mountains, but between the right to roam and the network of huts and shelters along its trails, it's one of the easiest places in Europe to plan a wild camping trip. After years hiking in the Alps and the Pyrenees, we found the quieter forests, lakes, and mild summer weather in Finland a genuinely refreshing change of pace.",[],"text_block$ad9c786e-c7e3-4b04-be49-6dc74550d40e",{},"5621b3e","All Rights Reserved",1793002335572]