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Known as one of Europe's oldest hiking trails, the Swedish King's Trail has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. This route boasts some of the world's most spectacular mountain scenery, featuring majestic and tranquil snow-capped peaks, verdant mountain wilderness, dense birch forests, and vast low-lying mountainous terrain. The resulting landscape offers a dramatic variety and a breathtaking visual experience.
Lapland is Europe's last remaining wilderness, a pristine landscape of U-shaped valleys, cirques, glacial domes, rivers, bogs, and birch trees. The Sami people have lived here since prehistoric times, leading a nomadic lifestyle with their vast reindeer herds.
For hikers, the 439-kilometer King's Trail is the perfect way to explore the region. It runs from Abisko within the Arctic Circle south to Hema, with simple mountain huts located every 10-20 kilometers. Plank roads and bridges span bogs and streams, while ferries and rowboats are available for crossing the lakes. These steps make Lapland more accessible, yet still as wild and spectacular.
The trail is divided into four sections, each taking about a week to hike. By far the most popular section is between Abisko and Mount Kebna in the far north.
Kebner is Sweden's highest peak, and travelers often choose to climb its South Peak to see the majestic wilderness of the Arctic Circle. The King's Trail also passes through Abisko, Storforet National Park, Sarek National Park, and Pellekeiser National Park.
June to August is the height of summer, with sunny days stretching for many days. In this warm and comfortable climate, the King's Trail gradually becomes bustling with activity. The combination of solemn and tranquil snow-capped mountains, verdant mountain wilderness, dense birch forests, and vast low-lying mountainous terrain creates a dramatic landscape of contrasts and a breathtaking visual experience. The King's Trail boasts some of the world's most spectacular mountain scenery, offering hikers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After August, the Arctic summer draws to a close and the trails begin to thin out. With the arrival of winter, the trails become completely quiet, lonely and desolate.
The King's Trail is breathtakingly beautiful in September, when birches turn a brilliant golden yellow, lingonberries turn vibrant crimson, and the vast valleys transform into a world of snow. Snow drifts through, the air crisp and crisp. As the nights lengthen, the Northern Lights begin to dance across the sky. Autumn on the trail is wild, colorful, and lonely—at this time, it's both the most treacherous and the most beautiful.
Tips:
English name: Kungsleden Trail
Location: Between Hemavan and Abisko in northern Sweden
Length: 440 km (4 lines)
Duration: 7 days (1 route)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best months: late June to early September
Day 1: Arrive in Stockholm
Day 2: Stockholm
Day 3: Stockholm - Kiruna - Nikkaluokta
Day 4: Nikkaluokta - Kebnekaise
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Day 5: Kebnekaise - Singi
Hiking distance: 14 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 6: Singi (Singi) – Kaitumjaure (Kaitumjaure)
Hiking distance: 13 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 7: Kaitumjaure (Kaitumjaure) – Teusajaure (Teusajaure)
Hiking distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Maximum altitude: 780 meters
Day 8: Teusajaure - Vakkotavare - Kiruna
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Day 9: Kiruna - Stockholm
Day 10: Stockholm
You can start hiking the King's Trail from any starting point, but when walking in the Arctic, it is generally best to hike from north to south, because this way you can always walk towards the sun.
2. Mountain huts are seasonal and usually open between mid-June and mid-September. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
The distances between the huts are usually not far. Except for the 21 km distance between Alesjaure and Abiskojaure huts, the distances between the other huts are between 12-14 km, all of which are within a day's reach.
3. If you choose to access the trails in September, you need to be well prepared for Sweden's unpredictable and cold weather. Although some mountain huts remain open, many services have stopped, including some public transportation that is essential for getting there and back.
4. Some sections require boating across the lake, which is usually available in late June or early July. However, the weather here is changeable, and if you encounter bad weather, including late or early arrivals and snow, some sections of the route will have to be detoured.
1. All mountain huts and hotels along the way are managed by STF (Swedish Tourism Association). The latest information about the opening and closing dates of mountain huts can be found on the STF website, including maps and other precautions and the special services provided by each hut.
2. There are usually small shops at the huts along the trail where you can buy essentials, but these shops close as the hiking season ends. The nearest supermarkets are in Kiruna and Abisko Ostra.
3. The supply stores at STF Abisko and Kebnekaisefjallstation have a wide variety of items. You can buy a variety of food and other necessities such as camping equipment, gas canisters, matches, etc. at reasonable prices.
4. If you have an international youth hostel card, you will get a discount when booking a hostel or camping along the way through STF, with an average of 100 Swedish kronor per night.
Embark on a King's Trail hike in Sweden, a beautiful place steeped in Norse mythology. Kayak through the Stockholm archipelago and leave your mark on the renowned Kungsleden. Along the way, you'll experience the customs of the Sami people, step onto picturesque landscapes reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, and gaze upon a mountaintop waterfall that feels like a fairytale. While the hike offers some challenging and demanding sections, this balanced itinerary will allow you to experience a different Nordic experience and savor the exquisite fusion of culture and nature.
