Kungsleden

• 
• 
• 

Description

Kungsleden (King’s Trail) is Sweden’s most important hiking and skiing route. It runs for around 450km from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south, through Sami herding lands consisting of spectacular mountainous wilderness that includes Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise (2111m), fringed with forests, speckled with lakes and ribboned with rivers.

The route is split into five mostly easy or moderate sections, with Svenska Turistföreningen (STF: Swedish Tourist Association) mountain huts, each staffed by a custodian, spaced out along the route. They are 10km to 20km from one another (first come, first served), and there are four STF mountain lodges and two hostels en route. Many of the mountain huts sell provisions (check which ones on the website), and kitchen facilities are provided, but you’ll need your own sleeping bag and there’s no electricity. The section between Kvikkjokk and Ammarnäs is not covered by the STF, so you'll need to be prepared to camp.

Insect repellent is a must in summer to avoid becoming a walking mosquito buffet, and you have to be prepared for changeable weather.