Stekenjokk, Lappland | Exploring Sweden

Stekenjokk is a high mountain plateau located in the Scandinavian Mountains, on the border between the provinces of Lappland and Jämtland in northern Sweden. The area is a key attraction along the famous tourist route, the Wilderness Road (Vildmarksvägen). Stekenjokk is not a town or a village but a remote, uninhabited natural area. It is most famous for being the location of Sweden’s highest paved road, which reaches an altitude of 876 meters above sea level. The road over the plateau is only open during the summer months.

The character of Stekenjokk is that of a barren and wild Arctic tundra landscape (kalfjäll). Its identity is defined by its high altitude, its long-lasting snow cover, and its importance as a grazing area for Sámi reindeer herds. The road that crosses the plateau is a major tourist draw, particularly in early summer when it is lined with massive walls of snow, sometimes several meters high. It is also a designated bird protection area, with restrictions on access during the hatching season. The experience of visiting Stekenjokk is one of being in a remote, high-altitude wilderness.

A Short History

The history of Stekenjokk is that of a remote Sámi landscape that was briefly transformed by modern industry before becoming a major tourist attraction. For centuries, the plateau was primarily used for reindeer husbandry. The construction of a road in the mid-20th century to serve a new mine was the pivotal event that opened up this high-altitude area to the public. The story of Stekenjokk is one of the interaction between traditional land use, industrial development, and modern tourism.

A Sámi Landscape

For centuries, the Stekenjokk plateau has been an important part of the traditional lands of the indigenous Sámi people. The area is a key summer grazing area for reindeer herds belonging to the local Sámi communities (samebyar). The seasonal migration of the reindeer to these high-altitude pastures is a central part of the traditional reindeer husbandry that has been practiced in the region for a very long time. This traditional use of the land is still an important part of the area’s identity today.

The Stekenjokk Mine and the Road

A new chapter in the area’s history began in the 20th century. The road across the mountain plateau was built in 1969. Its primary purpose was to support the development of a new copper mine, the Stekenjokk mine (Stekenjokks koppargruva). The mine, which was operated by the company Boliden, was opened in 1976. It was in operation until 1989, when it was decommissioned. The road, which was built to connect the mining area with the nearby villages of Klimpfjäll and Stora Blåsjön, has since become a part of the famous tourist route, the Wilderness Road.

Things to See and Do

The main sights at Stekenjokk are the natural landscape of the mountain plateau and the unique features of the road that crosses it. Most people experience the area by driving the Wilderness Road, with stops at the various parking pockets to enjoy the views.

The Wilderness Road

The Wilderness Road (Vildmarksvägen) is a 500-kilometer-long tourist road that runs in a loop through northern Jämtland and southern Lappland. The section that crosses the Stekenjokk Plateau is its most famous and highest part. This stretch of road is only open during the summer, typically from early June to mid-October. The exact opening and closing dates depend on the snow conditions each year. Driving this road provides continuous views of the amazing mountain landscape.

The Snow Walls

A key attraction for those traveling on the road early in the season, in June, is the massive snow walls that line the road. The road is cleared of snow by large plows in the late spring. Due to the heavy snowfall at this high altitude, the walls of snow left on the side of the road can be several meters high. Driving between these high walls of snow in the middle of summer is a unique experience and a very popular photo opportunity.

The Mountain Plateau Landscape

The landscape of the Stekenjokk Plateau is a key sight in itself. It is a classic example of a high-altitude Arctic tundra environment, or kalfjäll. The area is above the tree line, so the vegetation is low-lying, consisting of heaths, grasses, and dwarf birch. The plateau is dotted with numerous small lakes and streams. The open landscape provides expansive, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains on the border between Sweden and Norway.

The Reindeer

The Stekenjokk plateau is a major grazing area for large herds of reindeer during the summer months. It is very common for visitors to see reindeer on and next to the road. These animals are semi-domesticated and are a part of the Sámi reindeer husbandry. It is important to drive carefully and give the animals space. Stopping on the road to take photos can cause traffic jams and can cause severe stress to the animals.

Recreational Activities

The area around Stekenjokk is a major center for outdoor recreation, particularly hiking and fishing. The remote and wild landscape provides an excellent setting for these activities, though access is restricted during certain times of the year.

Hiking

Hiking is a popular activity on the Stekenjokk plateau. The open, treeless landscape provides excellent opportunities for walks with expansive views. However, it is important to be aware of the restrictions. The central part of the plateau is a bird protection area. To protect the nesting birds, it is forbidden to leave the paved road in this area from the 10th of June to the 10th of July. Outside of this period, the area offers excellent terrain for hiking.

Fishing

The numerous small lakes and streams on the plateau are popular destinations for recreational fishing. The waters are known for their healthy populations of Arctic char and trout. A fishing permit (fiskekort) is required to fish in the area. The fishing season is short due to the high altitude and the long winters.

How to get to Stekenjokk

Reaching the Stekenjokk plateau requires travel to a very remote part of northern Sweden. A car or a camper is the only practical means of transport for visiting the area, as there is no public transport.

The Open Road: The Wilderness Road

The only way to reach Stekenjokk is by driving the Wilderness Road. The road over the plateau is open only during the summer. It connects the village of Klimpfjäll in Lappland with the village of Stora Blåsjön in Jämtland. The road is paved but can be narrow in sections. It is important to check the road status before traveling, especially at the beginning and end of the season, as it can be closed at short notice due to weather conditions.

Arriving by Air: Nearby Airports

The closest airport with regular commercial service is Vilhelmina Airport (VHM). It is located approximately 156 kilometers to the southeast of the Stekenjokk area. The airport has flights to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN). The other main regional airport is Östersund Airport (OSD). From either of these airports, a rental car is essential for completing the long journey to the Wilderness Road and the Stekenjokk plateau.

On Track: A Journey by Rail

There is no train service to the immediate vicinity of Stekenjokk. The closest train stations on the Inlandsbanan railway are in Vilhelmina and Dorotea. The main national railway line has a major station in Östersund. From any of these train stations, a rental car would be required to reach the Wilderness Road.

Connecting by Coach

There are no long-distance or regional bus services that run over the Stekenjokk plateau. Regional buses operated by the local transport authorities serve the main villages along the Wilderness Road, such as Gäddede and Vilhelmina. However, there is no public transport on the high-altitude section of the road itself.

Driving Distances

The driving distance from 10 regional cities, according to Google Maps:

• Östersund, Sweden – 239 kilometers (3 h 20 min)
• Trondheim, Norway – 282 kilometers (4 h 20 min)
• Umeå, Sweden – 351 kilometers (4 h 30 min)
• Luleå, Sweden – 513 kilometers (6 h 20 min)
• Kiruna, Sweden – 672 kilometers (8 h 30 min)
• Oslo, Norway – 755 kilometers (9 h 50 min)
• Stockholm, Sweden – 809 kilometers (9 h 40 min)
• Linköping, Sweden – 1,004 kilometers (11 h 40 min)
• Gothenburg, Sweden – 1,158 kilometers (14 h 30 min)
• Malmö, Sweden – 1,417 kilometers (16 h 00 min)

Explore More of Lappland and Sweden

This post was first published 2020-11-10 and was updated 2025-07-27