Kautokeino
Kautokeino (Sámi: Guovdageaidnu) is a town and municipality in Finnmark, northern Norway. It is situated in Finnmarksvidda, the inland plateau. The municipality has a 90 % Sámi majority.
Understand
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The municipality is a centre for Sámi culture and Sámi education, hosting the Sámi University College, the Nordic Sámi Institute and a Sámi theatre. The town has some 1,500 inhabitants, half of those of the municipality. The name means "midways"; the distance is about equal to Alta, Karasjok, Karesuando and Nordreisa, all (close to) ancient important markets (as the reindeer run, not by road – there were no roads here).
Villages in the municipality include Mázi, Stornes (Hemmogieddi), Šuoššjávri, Økseidet (Ákšomuotki), Láhpoluoppall, Siebe, Áidejávri and Soahtefielbma.
Kautokeino is the coldest inhabited area in Norway in winter, due to the northern inland location, with mean temperature in January and records of slightly below . Dry air makes the temperatures in winter more bearable, but midwinter is still extreme. Weather in summer is cool to warm, with a mean of in July and frost possible even in midsummer. Day temperatures in summer are mostly 10–25°C (up to 80°F).
There is midnight sun from late May to late July and polar night from the beginning of December to middle January. This is the driest part of Norway, with yearly precipitation 360–400 mm, which makes it a good place to watch Northern lights.
Easter is a time of much activity, with Sámi gathering before it is time for the reindeer to move towards calving grounds: church going, film and music festivals, reindeer races, snowmobile cross and many tourists.
The Finnmarksvidda is largely flat or rolling plains, with only modest fells but many lakes. The highest fell of the municipality is Mollejus at 974 m, the 10,000 lakes in the municipality have a total area of some 737 km². Three important rivers have their sources here: the Kautokeino river (which changes names to Altaelva downstream), and Kárášjohka and Anárjohka, joining to form Deatnu (Tana, Teno), the most important salmon river in Europe.
Although the majority speaks Sámi, also Norwegian and English should be spoken by nearly everybody.
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Tourist information
phone: +47 78-48-65-00
Get in
There should be buses from Alta and Karasjok, in summer also from Rovaniemi via Hetta (possibly with transfer at Palojoensuu) and at least in summer from Inari with transfer in Karasjok or Alta.
There are airports at least in Alta, Hetta and Ivalo.
The nearest railhead is Kiruna, Sweden, some 250 km away. Coming via Luleå and Tornio may be more handy in some cases. The nearest railheads in Finland are Kolari and Rovaniemi.
Get around
Then of course, hiking and cross-country skiing may be what you are here for. There are few marked trails or ready-made skiing tracks, but lots of space to explore.
See
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phone: +47 78-46-99-50address: Boaronjárga 23Sámi museum indoors and outdoor museum showing the old Kautokeino village.
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Kautokeino church
phone: +47 78-48-61-29 (the parish)Church from 1958 built in old style. The old church was burnt by the German in 1944. -
phone: +47 78-48-43-30Astonishing large exhibition, mirroring the interests of the owners: Lapish and Nordic design and handicraft is mixed with oriental goods and interior design. The silver jewellery made here, nice as it is, occupies just a modest section. Nice view over Kautokeino. Café.
Struve Geodetic ArcTwo fell tops in the municipality are part of the Struve Geodetic Arc.
Luvddiidčohkka
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Bealjášvárri
Do
FishingFish in some of the thousand lakes. You need a fishing permit. Equipment, also boots etc., must be disinfected or thoroughly dried before use in new waters, because of the salmon plague. Check also other rules.
Cross-country skiingFew tracks but wonderful landscape. Have a guide unless you know what you are doing.
Snowmobile safarisThe snowmobile was the invention that allowed Sámi to live in one place and still look after the reindeer. It is extensively used by locals. A snowmobile tour can be combined with learning about Sámi life, trying the Sámi lasso, visiting a lávvu and eating traditional Sámi food.
- Hiking and outdoor life
Events
Easter festivalFestival with exhibitions, races, ice fishing, film and music festivals, concerts etc. The Easter has been an important time, the last chance to gather with friends before it is time to move the reindeer to the calving grounds.
Sámi Film FestivalThree day film festival featuring Sámi films and other films by and for indigenous peoples. Some venues are indoors, one is made of snow and ice and works also as reindeer sled and snowmobile drive-in cinema.
Sámi Grand PrixSong and joik (traditional Sámi singing) competition, usually with artists from Norway, Sweden and Finland. The winner is sent to Liet-Lávlut, a music competition for European minority languages.
Buy
This is the place to buy Sámi handicraft. With a concentration of Sámi, many shops foremost serve locals or Sámi from the surroundings, so you will more easily avoid the kitsch sold in more touristy places (there are tourists here also, of course). Some shops are quite well hidden though, or scattered about.
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phone: +47 78-48-60-07address: Boaronjárga 13Started as shop for Sámi handicraft material. Now also all kinds of finished products, such as toys, boots, knives, guksi, shawls, jewellery and gift items.
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phone: +47 78-48-63-11address: Boaronjarga 15Silver jewellery
Sleep
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phone: +47 78-48-70-00address: Biedjovaggeluodda 2Proper hotel.
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Arctic Motell Kautokeino Camping
phone: +47 78-48-54-00address: Suomaluodda 16Camping area; also rooms and cottages. Wild campingWild camping possible out of town for those so inclined, according to the right to access.
Connect
Go next
NordkalottledenAn 800 km hiking trail along the fell landscape of Norway, Finland and Sweden, from Kautokeino or nearby trailheads to Sulitjelma in Norway or Kvikkjokk in Sweden, via Laponia.
European long distance path E1The E1 leads from Nordkapp to Sicily via Kautokeino as part of the Long distance walking in Europe hiking trail network. Southward it coincides with Nordkalottleden on the first leg, to Kilpisjärvi.