Áhkká

Áhkká is a mountain massif in Stora Sjöfallet National Park with 12 separate peaks and 10 glaciers scattered across its slopes. The highest point, Stortoppen, rises to 2,011 meters.

The mountain was first documented climbed in 1924 when mountaineers Torsten Boberg and Jöns Jönsson reached the summit. Before this expedition, the peak was largely unknown to outsiders from the south.

The mountain's name means 'wife' in Lule Sami language, reflecting how the indigenous Sámi people have viewed this place as sacred for centuries. Local traditions and stories tied to the peak remain part of the regional identity today.

Access to the massif begins with a coach from Gällivare to Ritsem, followed by a ferry across Akkajaure lake during summer. The climb requires proper mountain gear and experience, as high altitude and glacial terrain demand careful planning.

The summit drops almost vertically around 1,563 meters (5,125 feet) to the Akkajaure lake below, a stark cliff face that becomes even more dramatic as water levels fluctuate due to hydroelectric dam operations. This visible height difference between the water and rock face is one of the most striking landscape features visitors encounter.

GPS coordinates: 67.57871,17.48745

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:58