Kungsleden – Day 4: Tjäurakåtan – Campsite at Ruovddejávrre

As bad as the weather was the day before, so good it is this morning. The sky is blue and the small lavvu merges perfectly into the great landscape along the Kungsleden. Since we went further than expected yesterday, we have plenty of time today. After the long previous day we do not leave before noon. The trail leads us further downhill, into a humid, swampy landscape.

Right at the beginning of the day we meet three young German guys who each carry a large and really heavy looking backpack on their backs and another, smaller one in front of their chests. Wow, what do people think when they go to the Fjäll? Even though it is early in the day, the three no longer look very fit. Especially the third one – in some distance to his companions – is leaning on a branch used as a hiking stick. However, the trail is quite tiring for the mind as well. With every step the shoes sink into water or mud, even though this year they speak of drought up here too.

Experiencing the Kungsleden with almost no mosquitoes? This year we are very lucky!

After about three hours of hiking, we reach a campsite with a small toilet house right on Lake Tjeggelvas. We take a short break here, but do not stay long because it is the first time on our trip that mosquitoes are bothering us. What a luxury problem, when you consider how many mosquitoes there are usually around here! There is also a garbage can, so we can lighten our rucksacks a little.

Campsite at Tjeggelvas
At Lake TJeggelvas there is a campsite with temporary benches, some pans, a toilet and a garbage can. There are also quite good spots to set up a tent.

Willow bushes close to the path make it difficult for us to move on

From the camp site, the path leads us along the lake and finally on two suspension bridges over Piteälven, the river that flows between the lakes Fálesjávrre and Tjeggelvas. Leaving the river behind us, the Kungsleden takes us slightly up or downhill, but without any significant inclines. A low willow and birch forest makes it difficult for us to progress, as the path is narrow and we keep getting stuck with our backpacks. So we soon decide to look for a place to set up our tents.

A few steps next to a creek, with a view over the small lake Ruovddejávrre we find a wonderful spot. On a well to sit shaped stone on we enjoy our dinner! Perfect! However, today we have to use the jungle oil, as there are some mosquitoes here. Whereby that is no surprise in this swampland, we are glad to have found a dry campground. The effort of the previous day still hangs over us a little and so we decide to leave for the tent quite early this evening. We are happy that today has had few events, but good weather and easy progress.

Mosquitoes and mosquito protection
We have tried out various mosquito repellents. To sum up: Buy your mosquito repellent locally. Repeatedly we kept meeting people using products they had brought with them (from Germany) and were surrounded by completely unimpressed mosquitoes.
In the Swedish supermarkets the products cost between about 5 EUR (products with DEET) and 13 EUR (DEET-free). At the STF huts the prices are about the same, but the range of products is smaller. In 2019 we got only the more expensive repellent
We tested Mygga, Djungelolja and Mygg & Fästing. All three worked well.

Sleeping place inside Tjäurakåtan   

Latitude: 66° 39' 30"

Longitude: 17° 17' 10"

Description

In Tjäurakåtan, an abandoned reindeer guard hut, you can spend the night. It is no longer completely sealed, but provides excellent protection against wind and most rain. Alternatively, there is a small path in ffront of the lavvu that leads down to the nearby lake (about 20m). Here is a good campground.

Campsite at Lake Ruovddejávrre   

Latitude: 66° 45' 40"

Longitude: 17° 25' 34"

Description

Close to Lake Ruovddejávrre we find a flat spot near the lake. It is only a few steps down to a small stream that feeds from the lake and serves as a source of drinking water. There is also a large stone by the brook, which is great for sitting.