Health & Safety

Fjällräven Classic Sweden takes place in the wilderness. There are no access roads, there is pretty much no phone reception and the weather can change quickly. However, you’re not alone.

All participation in the event is at your own risk. You are responsible to have adequate insurance protection covering any accidents, personal injury or other damages.

Information for all trekkers participating in Fjällräven Classic Sweden 2023 – updated 20230808

On August 6^th, the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) decided to close the Kebnekaise mountain station and all cabins along Kungsleden between Singi and Abiskojaure (these are the cabins along the trail that we use for Fjällräven Classic). This is due to the recent outbreak of stomach flu which rapidly spread amongst many trekkers staying at the Kebnekaise mountain station and campers staying in the surrounding area.

While no new official restrictions or further recommendations have been issued, we have assessed the situation and decided that Fjällräven Classic will go ahead, but with additional measures in place to support trekkers.

By following the recommendations and precautions below, you will be well prepared for a spectacular trek in nature. We will continue to be in close contact with local health authorities and will monitor the situation closely. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Please read the following information before beginning your journey to Fjällräven Classic Sweden:

Current measures in place to support Fjällräven Classic trekkers:

• Moving the location of several checkpoints
• Taking extra precautions related to hygiene
• Providing advice on precautions trekkers can take themselves

The Fjällräven Classic checkpoints will be moved to new locations as follows:

• Kebnekaise Checkpoint will be located by the bridge over Tafalajokk (approx. 2km before Kebnekaise mountain station)
• Singi Checkpoint – No change. Checkpoint will be located 500m before cabin station.
• Sälka Checkpoint – Checkpoint will be located 1km before the cabin station.
• Tjäktja Checkpoint – No Change. Checkpoint is not close to the cabin station.
• Alesjaure Checkpoint – Checkpoint moved to approx. 2km before the cabin station.
• Kieron Checkpoint – No change. But there will be no camping available by the Abiskojaure cabin station.
• Kieron Checkpoint will be the last campsite before the National Park where it will only be possible to camp by the Nissonjokk campsite (tältlägret).

Note: All cabins between Singi and Abiskojaure will only be open for guests with prebooked reservations. For walk-in guests and for campers who want to use the services at the cabins (kitchen, toilets, store and sauna) the cabins will be closed during Fjällräven Classic.

The Fjällräven Classic organisers have made the following preparations: 

• Plenty of our own dry toilets at the checkpoints.
• Cleaning routine for these toilets.
• Hand sanitizers at all toilets.
• All trekkers will be given a personal hand soap to bring on the trail.
• Medical staff at all checkpoints.
• Information about where to camp and where to take water at each checkpoint.
• We are in close contact with local health authorities.
• A medical doctor will be on standby throughout the event.

Fjällräven Classic has taken the decision based on the following facts:

• Our event team has experience with handling similar situations and we are well prepared.
• The trails are open for trekkers.
• The stomach flu outbreak has mainly occurred with visitors to the mountain station at Kebnekaise.
• There have been reports of other cases coming from other cabins, but the connection between the cases is not established.
• The local health authorities have not issued any further recommendations or restrictions.

We urge all trekkers to take the following precautions:

• Take water only from larger running water sources.
• Take water further away from the trail and up stream.
• Use a water filter, water cleaning solutions and/or boil water you intend to drink.
• Use hand sanitizer and biodegradable soap (on land, not in the water source).
• Be very thorough not to pour back drinking water or dish water into the water source (lakes/creeks).
• All participants should use their own toilet paper at available toilets.
• NEVER relieve yourself in a water source. Always go far away from water sources or use the available toilets.
• Always keep good hand hygiene.
• For more information and tips on how to handle water, please see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3JN9M6WtUA

The consequences for Fjällräven Classic participants due to the closure of the mountain stations are the following:

• Access is closed to STF services at our checkpoints at Kebnekaise, Sälka & Alesjaure.
• Access is closed to the dry toilets at all of the cabins along the trail.
• Access is closed to all of the stores at the cabins along the trail.
• Access is closed to the saunas at the cabins along the trail.
• Access is closed to camping in close proximity to the cabins along the trail.

Please see this set of videos for inspiration on where to find campsites:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjStqZ8yvrfOm2GdQiHC6yHLz0TKF71f3

For more information on stomach flu or gastroenteritis, you will find information at the Swedish Health Authority and here: