Walk the Arctic Circle fells
A long crossing of the far north, reimagined as a virtual challenge you complete with your everyday steps.
This 684 km route follows the Nordkalottleden, the Arctic Trail, which runs through the northern reaches of Finland, Norway and Sweden entirely above the Arctic Circle. It is the longest challenge in Zelus apart from Shrines of Japan, and it crosses three national borders on the way.
With Zelus, you walk the real trail coordinates. Your daily steps move you along the route on a live map, unlocking ten milestone checkpoints including Treriksröset, the cairn standing in a lake where Finland, Sweden and Norway meet, and a string of unlocked wilderness huts that need no booking and charge nothing.
10 milestones along the way
Each milestone marks a real landmark on the route. Unlock them one by one as your daily steps add up.
Leave the road on the Finnmark plateau and walk south into open fell.
An unlocked wilderness hut by the river: no booking, no warden, no charge.
The concrete cairn in the lake where Finland, Sweden and Norway meet.
Into Norway, through the old pine forest of Dividalen.
Above Torneträsk, where the trail joins the Kungsleden country.
A Sámi settlement on the lake, and the busiest night you will have out here.
Back into Norway under Sitasjaure, with the border running through the water.
The northern gate of Padjelanta, Sweden’s emptiest national park.
A Sámi summer settlement on Virihaure, turf huts and a wooden chapel.
Down off the fell to the old copper town, the end of the Arctic Trail.
How it works
Ready to start walking?
Download Zelus and pick the Northern Lights route. Your first steps today count toward the finish line.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this challenge take?
The in-app target is 60 days, but there is no time limit. At around 22.8 km of walking per day you would finish in a month. Go at whatever pace feels sustainable.
What is the Nordkalottleden?
The Nordkalottleden, or Arctic Trail, is a long distance route through Arctic Finland, Norway and Sweden. The full network runs to around 800 km with several variants, and the whole of it lies north of the Arctic Circle, crossing open fell, birch forest and a great many lakes and rivers.
Is 684 km realistic?
It is the longest challenge in Zelus after Shrines of Japan, so treat it as a project rather than a month. At 5 km of walking a day, roughly 6,500 steps, it takes about four and a half months. There is no time limit and your progress is saved, so most people pick it precisely because it lasts.
Do I need to run?
No. Zelus is built for walking: commuting, errands, lunch walks, pacing on a phone call. Running counts too, but it is not required.
How are my steps converted to distance?
Zelus syncs with your phone's step counter and converts steps into kilometres using a calibrated stride length. Your position updates on the map automatically.
What happens when I finish?
You earn the Northern Lights completion medal, which is permanently added to your profile. Then you can pick your next route from the 20 challenges available.