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Nedre Mollisjok is a genuine mountain lodge and one of the
few that was not connected to the existing road network when these
were built in Finnmark. The mountain lodge is literally in the middle
of the Plateau, equidistant from Alta and Karasjok, 70 kilometres
each way. The journey here therefore needs careful planning, although
this is well rewarded when the hosts, Per Edvard and Randi throw
open the lounge door to receive their worn out, hungry guests. The
hosts are a young couple with two toddlers, who decided to take
over and run this richly traditional lodge from their parents. Per
Edvards family settled here in the mountains because, as Per Edvard
puts it, the grouse were the attraction. This means you will be
living in the middle of Sapmis very best grouse country. Per Edvard
and Randi run, like their forebears, run a combined business, albeit
a new type of combination. Sheep and farming remote arable pasture
combined with tourism. This enables them to maintain the lifestyle
they love, in the mountains, out on the Plateau. Randi has a reputation
as an excellent cook and is also a trained nurse. So you couldnt
be in more capable hands.
Although the lodge may seem inaccessible at first glance, it isnt
really. The simplest means of transport seaplane or helicopter from
Alta, which you can hire to fly you in to this gem in about half
an hour. In summer and winter you can also come in across the Plateau
from Joatkajvri or Karasjok. You will have to cover about 40 km,
but the terrain is flat and easy to negotiate. You can get to Joatkajvri
by road from Alta.
You can also start your journey to the inn from Couuddatmohkki,
which is about 45 km from Karasjok. It is about 20 km from the lodge,
which can easily be covered on foot in the summer, or by 4x4, four-wheel
motorbike or mountain bike. The terrain is not at all suitable for
motor vehicles the journey will take you 2½ hours each way so we
would recommend that you hike it (between 4-5 hours depending on
how fit you are) or to come by air. In the winter, Mollisjok is
more accessible as there are snowmobile runs from Alta and Jergul
as well as Karasjok. Contact Per Edvard and he will provide guidance
and plan the route for you.
Facilities
The mountain lodge has recently been restored. Per Edvard and Randi
have a total of 54 beds in 5 huts and rooms in the main building.
They have a modern kitchen, sanitation, a lounge with a hearth and
a dining room. The setup also has a sauna and a turf hut, or gamme.
The gamme is used for smoking meat as well as an eating space for
guests. At Mollisjok the focus is naturally on the cuisine of the
Plateau, and they make the most delicious dishes from the resources
right outside the door. In both summer and winter, trout, arctic
charr and grayling, pike and perch are fished out of the Iesjokka,
one of the best-stocked rivers in Finnmark. It is also possible
to catch salmon in the cataract pool 3 km from the lodge. You are
right in the middle of cloudberry and grouse country. These resources
are reaped and often adorn Mollisjoks aromatic table.
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