Lunch at Jonasgammen — A Pite Sami Heritage Hike

The hike starts at Trolia, midway up the Beiarn valley. The first hour climbs 300 metres through dense birch forest, about 3 km up the trail. You pass caves, Knutkjelen, a crater where a river disappears into an underground cave system, and small streams crossing the path. You'll feel it in your legs, but the trail is good.

Then the valley opens up. White birch trunks line the meadow, and the river Heståga runs through the landscape. On a small rise sits Jonasgammen: 62 birch logs, birch bark and turf, 15 metres around. Built without a single nail. Inside it smells of smoke, earth, and something older than all of us.

This is not a tourist attraction. It's family history. Kristina was born in Arjeplog, a nomadic Pite Sami reindeer herder who lived in the Beiarn mountains. She built four known turf huts in the area. Jonasgammen is one of two that still stand. Her son Jonas used this one until he died. Today Jørgen owns the land, and it was his father Gunnar and Jørgen who cut 80 birch logs to rebuild the hut, together with the Pite Sami Museum and Silvermuseet in Arjeplog.

After the tour and storytelling, you sit down by the campfire for lunch made from local ingredients. Coffee over open flame. Then the walk back down.

• Join your host Jørgen for a guided hike through birch forests, past caves and the historic Knutkjelen.
• Visit one of Norway's two preserved Pite Sami turf huts and hear stories of Sami culture and family history.
• Enjoy a campfire lunch featuring local food from Beiarmat in a spectacular natural setting.

Accommodation available at Trolia, Jørgen's rental cabin at the trailhead (airbnb.no/h/trolia).

• Guided hike with local host
• Lunch by campfire with local ingredients from Beiarmat
• Hot drinks by the fire
• Storytelling about Pite Sami culture and history