Kungsleden

For the 1964 Swedish film, see My Love and I.

Kungsleden
The Kungsleden trail above the Teusa lake
Length	440 kilometres (270 mi) approximately
Location	Northern Sweden
Trailheads	Abisko/Hemavan
Use	Hiking
Highest point	1,150 m (3,773 ft) (Tjäkta Pass)
Lowest point	305 m (1,001 ft) (Kvikkjokk)
Trail difficulty	Moderate
Season	Summer to early Fall
Months	June to September
Sights	Mt Kebnekaise, Lapporten, Abisko, Sarek National Park

Kungsleden ("The King's Trail") is a hiking trail in northern Sweden, approximately 440-kilometre (270 mi) long, between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. It passes through one of Europe's largest remaining wilderness areas.

The trail

Kungsleden was created by Svenska Turistföreningen (STF) at the end of the 19th century, in order to allow more people to experience the beauty of Lapland. It runs for about 440 kilometres (270 mi) between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. It is well equipped and maintained by STF, having for instance large parts where one walks on two parallel planks to avoid muddy ground. Since it's so well maintained and rather flat, the trail is not considered as very difficult, but some wilderness experience and regular caution are required.

The trail is separated in four portions which each represent approximately one week of hiking. The most practiced part is by far the northernmost, between Abisko and Kebnekaise. The season usually runs between mid-June and the end of September, but the weather can be very treacherous, including late or early snow.

Huts

Huts have been constructed along the trail, separated by a distance that a walker could expect to cover during the day, about 9-22 kilometres (6-14 mi). The huts are primarily operated by STF. For a small fee, it is possible to pitch a tent outside and use the facilities. Some unguarded shelters can also be found between these huts. Supplies can be bought in some of them (Alesjaure and Kebnekaise Fjällstation for example).

The huts along Kungsleden are:

Abisko Abiskojaure Alesjaure Tjäktja Sälka Singi Kaitumjaure

Teusajaure Vakkotavare Saltoluokta Sitojaure Aktse Pårte Kvikkjokk

Ammarnäs Aigert Serve Tärnasjö Syter Viterskalet Hemavan

It must be noted that there are no huts between Kvikkjokk and Ammarnäs. This leaves a distance of about 130 kilometres (81 mi) with no huts.

Sights

The trail seen from its highest point, Tjäkta pass

Highlights along the way, sometimes a small detour is needed, are:

• Abisko: Great hostel/mountain station, botanical multitude during summer, great back-country skiing during winter. From here, it's possible to get to Nikkaluokta via dog-sledging tours during the winter.
• Kebnekaise: Sweden's highest mountain, 2,111 metres (6,926 ft), and centre of Swedish alpinism. The lodge (Kebnekaise Fjällstation) offers very complete services.
• Sarek National Park: part of Lappland world heritage. No roads, tracks or bridges makes this a place only for the experienced hiker
• Kvikkjokk: Old mountain farming village and nice hostel
• Hemavan and Tärnaby: Small towns/villages with nice hiking in the summer, and excellent back-country skiing in the winter. Native village of alpine skier Ingemar Stenmark.

Getting there

You can go to Abisko by direct train from Göteborg, Stockholm or Narvik. Abisko could also be reached by bus either from Kiruna or from Narvik. Which in turn could both be reached by regular airtrafic. You can go to Hemavan by bus from Umeå or Mo i Rana. There are also regular flights between Hemavan and Stockholm.

A few places along the trail could be reached by road or public transportation (a few more could also be reached by boat).

• Nikkaluokta, about 33 kilometres (21 mi) of the trail and 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Kebnekaise could be reached by bus or car from Kiruna.
• Suorva and Kebnats could be reached by bus or car from Gällivare.
• Kvikkjokk could be reached by bus or car from Jokkmokk.
• Jäckvik (Jäkkvik) could be reached by bus or car from Umeå, Arvidsjaur or Fauske.
• Adolfström could be reached by bus or car from Arjeplog.
• Ammarnäs could be reached by bus or car from Sorsele.

During the summer Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur and Sorsele are reachable by train.

External links

• Swedish Tourist Association (STF)
• Information from STF about Kungsleden
• A PDF brochure about Kungsleden
• Information about the Kungsleden trail
• Information from traildino.com