Kungsleden

Description

  1. Name Kungsleden
  2. Length of trail 420 km, 261 miles
  3. Length in days 28 days
  4. Start of trail Abisko
  5. End of trail Hemavan
  6. Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
  7. Hut tour grading T1, Walk

Kungsleden

Through Lapland from Abisko to Hemavan, 420 km (plus 20 km boat), 28 days 

Connects to Nordkalottleden and Padjelantaleden.

Abisko - Vakkotavare hut 110 km

Transport Vakkotavare hut - Saltoluokta hut (bus and boat)

Saltoluokta hut - Kvikkjokk 70 km

Kvikkjokk - Ammarnäs 185 km

Ammarnäs - Hemavan 80 km

One of the world's most populair trails, Kungsleden runs through vast and unspoiled mountain areas of Sweden. The trail attracts hikers from all over the world ("even Swedes", the joke goes) and therefore it's a busy trail. Some hikers for this reason choose more quiet, not less beautiful, paths, like nearby Padjelanteleden or Nordkalottleden or make survival trips into Sarek. Other hikers enjoy the chat and like to share dreams of a boundless world. 
 
Most people walk north-south. The lake crossings are more convenient this way because most huts are located on the north side of the lakes. 
 
Kungsleden can be divided into three parts. The northern and by far most popular part starts in Abisko and ends in Kvikkjokk, 180 km. Facilities are good, huts every 10 to 20 km. The trail however is worn out and strenuous. The central part from Kvikkjokk to Ammarnäs, 185 km, is void of STF huts and attracts far less hikers, mostly thru-hikers with big backpacks. The saying goes this part is less beautiful and why not stick to this myth (hint)? The southern part again counts good STF huts at regular intervals. The 80 km long path is easy going and offers fantastic views. In Hemavan, the trail ends. 
 
Be aware that most STF huts have shops with a good assortment of food. Many hikers still choose to carry their own food as if they are unaware of this. Some words on the STF huts. A host will welcome you, offer you a drink, show you your bed, where to get water, etc. Do some shoppings, help yourself in the kitchen, socialise with the other folks, dive into the sauna. Campers may use the kitchen and facilities against a fair charge. These huts are great but for one drawback: they are costly. STF members get a discount. The membership cost will pay back from the fourth hut onwards. Camping is a cheap alternative. 
 
The lack of STF huts in the middle section makes a thru-hike without a tent difficult. You will find accommodation in the villages Ammarnäs, Adolfström, Jäckvikk, private accommodation in Vuonatjviken and Bäverholm, unstaffed huts Rävfall and Pieljekaise (key in the shops of Jäckvikk, Adolfström, Ammarnäs). The beautiful and lonely 60 km stretch between Vuonatjviken and Kvikkjokk only has a leaking Samen tipi (Tjäurakotan) and an emergency shelter (Tsielekjokk). Along the trail emergency shelters have been pitched in exposed areas. They can be used for a rest but not for a regular overnight stay.
 
All in all there are seven lake crossings (and one bus transfer), two short ones and five long ones. Rowing boats are available but don't count on them. The larger lakes can only be crossed this way on fair days of which there are not many. Finding the landing spot on the other lake side, sometimes several km afar, is a challenge in itself. When it's windy, better drop the idea of rowing and wait for the motorboat to arrive. They charge 10 to 40 euro's per person. Usually there is a service around nine a.m. and 5 p.m. Sometimes, you may be able to arrange a crossing in between. Inform in the nearest hut, they know all details.
 
Many people want to thru-hike Kungsleden. For quite a few of them this is their first such challenge. Common mistakes are: too much luggage (if yours is above 15 kg, you are on the wrong side) and too little stamina and strength (count on very bad weather, mosquito's, blisters etc.) Usually, it will take four weeks. Experienced hikers can do it in three. Trail runners in two.

List of huts and villages:

Hut / village Type distance (km)
    by boat walking
Abisko STF hostel     -
Nissonjokk Open shelter     4
Abiskojaure STF hut   13 9
Alesjaure STF hut   20 20
Tjäktja STF hut   13 13
Tjäktapasset Shelter     3
Sälka STF hut   12 9
Kuoperjåkka Shelter     7
Singi STF hut   12 5
Kaitumjaure STF hut   12 12
Teusajaure STF hut   9 9
Lake Teusajaure Shore 0,8    
Vakkotavare STF hut   14 14
Kebnats (by bus) Shore     -
Lake Saltoluokta Shore 2,0    
Saltoluokta STF hostel   - 0
Autsutjvagge Shelter     8
Sitojaure STF hut   19 11
Lake Gasskajavrre Shore 3,4    
Aktse STF hut   8 8
Lake Latavre Shore     1
Lake Latavre Shore 2,9    
Jågge Shelter     10
Pårte STF hut   20 9
Kvikkjokk STF hostel   15 15
Lake Sakkat Shore     1
Mallenjarka Shelter 3,3    
Tsielekjåkk Shelter     12
Tjäurakåtan Tipi     30
Vuonatjviken Private hotel   64 21
Lake Riebnes Shore 6,9    
Lake Hornavan Shore     11
Lake Hornavan Shore 0,3    
Jäkkvik Village   17 6
Allmän Raststuga Shelter     4
Pieljekaise Hut with key   8 4
Adolfström Village   13 13
Bäverholmen Village   7 7
Badasjåkkå Shelter     4
Sjnultje Shelter     12
Rävfall Hut with key   42 27
Näsbergtjarn Open shelter     18
Ammarnäs Village   22 4
Aigert STF hut   8 8
Jouvtatvaratje Shelter     8
Vuometjakke Shelter     5
Serve STF hut   19 7
Tärnasjö STF hut   14 14
Syter STF hut   15 15
Syterskal Shelter     6
Viterskalet STF hut   13 6
Hemavan STF hostel / village   11 11

 

Select some tracks
Södra Kungsleden, 349km
Kungsleden (sommar)
.Kungsleden Etapp 1: Abisko - Abiskojaure, 13km
.Kungsleden Etapp 2: Abiskojaure - Alesjaure, 20km
.Kungsleden Etapp 3: Alesjaure - Tjäktja, 13km
.Kungsleden Etapp 4: Tjäktja - Sälka, 12km
.Kungsleden Etapp 5: Sälka - Singi, 12km
.Kungsleden Etapp 6: Singi - Kebnekaise, 14km
.Kungsleden Etapp 7: Kebnekaise - Nikkaluokta, 18km
.Kungsleden Etapp 8: Nikkaluokta - Kebnekaise, 18km
.Kungsleden Etapp 9: Kebnekaise - Singi, 14km
.Kungsleden Etapp 10: Singi - Kaitumjaure, 12km
.Kungsleden Etapp 11: Kaitumjaure - Teusajaure, 8.7km
.Kungsleden Etapp 12: Teusajaure - Vakkotavare, 15km
.Kungsleden Etapp 13 - 29: Vakkotavare - Hemavan, 365km
Kungsleden Winter, 38km
Kungsleden (sommar): Ammarnäs - Aigert Fjällstuga, 7.1km
Kungsleden (sommar): Ammarnäs - Rävfallet, 21km
Kungsleden (sommar): Aigertstugan - Servestugan, 19km
Kungsleden (sommar): Servestugan - Tärnasjöstugan, 14km

Books

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2019
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
Bol.com
Netherlands
2014
  • Also available from:
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Bol.com
Belgium
2014
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Classic Hikes of the World
  • This book will help you realize your dreams of hiking among the world's highest peaks and most scenic canyons, discovering wilderness far from the clamor of civilization, encountering rare birds and animals, glorying in sunsets over glacier-clad ranges, and feeling the joy and achievement of hiking some of the world's most spectacular trails.... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Classic Hikes of the World
  • This book will help you realize your dreams of hiking among the world's highest peaks and most scenic canyons, discovering wilderness far from the clamor of civilization, encountering rare birds and animals, glorying in sunsets over glacier-clad ranges, and feeling the joy and achievement of hiking some of the world's most spectacular trails.... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2010
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2010
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Bol.com
Netherlands
2010
  • Nordskandinavien - Der Wanderführer
  • Aktualisierte und erweiterte Neuauflage: Dieses Buch enthält die erste vollständige Beschreibung des 1993 eingeweihten, sehr populären Nordkalottleden. 800 Kilometer führt dieser schönste und längste Wanderweg Nordskandinaviens durch die Berge Norwegens, Schwedens und Finnlands, überquert dabei 15 Mal die Grenzen und führt auch über den... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2010
  • Nordskandinavien - Der Wanderführer
  • Aktualisierte und erweiterte Neuauflage: Dieses Buch enthält die erste vollständige Beschreibung des 1993 eingeweihten, sehr populären Nordkalottleden. 800 Kilometer führt dieser schönste und längste Wanderweg Nordskandinaviens durch die Berge Norwegens, Schwedens und Finnlands, überquert dabei 15 Mal die Grenzen und führt auch über den... Read more
» Click to close
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2017
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
2017
  • Plan & Go Kungsleden
  • Plan & Go | Kungsleden is the definitive guide to hiking Sweden's famous King's Trail between Abisko and Hemavan. The book clearly outlines what to expect from a journey on the 'Royal Trail' and provides all the essential planning information to save you time and effort with your own preparations. Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
2017
  • Plan & Go Kungsleden
  • Plan & Go | Kungsleden is the definitive guide to hiking Sweden's famous King's Trail between Abisko and Hemavan. The book clearly outlines what to expect from a journey on the 'Royal Trail' and provides all the essential planning information to save you time and effort with your own preparations. Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Walking Distance
  • Long-distance walking is good for you and good for the earth... But most of all, walking is a joyful celebration of life and the diverse, beautiful, and curious world in which we live. -from the Introduction Walking is simple, but it can also be profound. In an increasingly complex and frantic world, walking can simplify our lives. It... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Walking Distance
  • Long-distance walking is good for you and good for the earth... But most of all, walking is a joyful celebration of life and the diverse, beautiful, and curious world in which we live. -from the Introduction Walking is simple, but it can also be profound. In an increasingly complex and frantic world, walking can simplify our lives. It... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2009
  • Dominicus trekking in Zweden
  • In deze gids worden de mooiste wandelgebieden van Zweden uitgebreid besproken. Er is veel aandacht voor berggebieden in het noordelijke Lapland, maar ook wandelen in centraler Zweden komt ruimschoots aan bod.In dit boek zijn 27 bergwandeltochten opgenomen: 12 dagtochten en 15 meerdaagse tochten. Uiteraard worden bekende routes zoals het... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2009
  • Dominicus trekking in Zweden
  • In deze gids worden de mooiste wandelgebieden van Zweden uitgebreid besproken. Er is veel aandacht voor berggebieden in het noordelijke Lapland, maar ook wandelen in centraler Zweden komt ruimschoots aan bod.In dit boek zijn 27 bergwandeltochten opgenomen: 12 dagtochten en 15 meerdaagse tochten. Uiteraard worden bekende routes zoals het... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
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  • Trekking-Abenteuer in Nordskandinavien
  • Die nach schwedischen Normen zertifizierte Trekkingf hrerin Andrea M hr-Michel gibt in diesem Buch ihre Erfahrungen aus unz hligen Sommer- und Winter-Trekkingtouren weiter. Hier findet man alles, was es f r die Vorbereitung und Durchf hrung von Touren im Norden Skandinaviens braucht: Ausr stung, Technik, ausgew hlte Routen f r Einsteiger und f... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Trekking-Abenteuer in Nordskandinavien
  • Die nach schwedischen Normen zertifizierte Trekkingf hrerin Andrea M hr-Michel gibt in diesem Buch ihre Erfahrungen aus unz hligen Sommer- und Winter-Trekkingtouren weiter. Hier findet man alles, was es f r die Vorbereitung und Durchf hrung von Touren im Norden Skandinaviens braucht: Ausr stung, Technik, ausgew hlte Routen f r Einsteiger und f... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Norway the Outdoor Paradise
  • This book is the story of James Baxter's 2700 kilometre ski up the entire length of Norway, followed by his 3100 kilometre kayak down the whole of Norway's coast. This eight month journey took him through Europe's most pristine natural wonders; the empty snow-covered spine of Scandinavia's mountain chain, the Arctic taiga forests and tundra,... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Norway the Outdoor Paradise
  • This book is the story of James Baxter's 2700 kilometre ski up the entire length of Norway, followed by his 3100 kilometre kayak down the whole of Norway's coast. This eight month journey took him through Europe's most pristine natural wonders; the empty snow-covered spine of Scandinavia's mountain chain, the Arctic taiga forests and tundra,... Read more
» Click to close
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