Trekking the Kungsleden
The King's Trail through Northern Sweden
Trekking the Kungsleden
The King's Trail through Northern Sweden
Guide to the Kungsleden (King's Trail), Sweden's premier long-distance trek. Lying mostly within the Arctic Circle, the 460km route across Lappland is presented in 28 stages but can be walked in shorter sections if preferred. Includes an optional ascent of Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest peak, plus notes on huts and wild camping.A guidebook to walking the Kungsleden trail (King’s Trail) between Abisko and Hemavan. Covering 460km (286 miles), this long-distance trail through the sub-artic landscape of Swedish Lappland takes 4 weeks and is suitable for any reasonably fit, experienced walker.
The route is described from north to south in 28 stages, each between 7 and 22km (4–14 miles) in length. An additional itinerary is included for the Kebnekaise summit, Sweden’s highest peak.
- 1:100,000 maps included for each stage
- GPX files available to download
- Detailed information on accommodation, facilities and public transport
- The popular Abisko-Nikkaluokta portion of the route can be completed in 1 week
- Advice on planning and preparation
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852849825
Availability
Published
Published
15 May 2019
Reprinted
5 Aug 2025
Edition
First
Pages
272
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.55cm
Weight
320g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Map key
Overview map
Route summary table
Introduction
The subarctic environment
Plants and animals
Regional history
When to go
Planning your walk
Transport
Boat crossings
Accommodation
Hut life and facilities
The truth about sauna
Trail marking and access
What to take
Mapping and GPS
Communications and electronics
Resupply
Safety and wellbeing
Using this guide
Section 1 – Abisko to Saltoluokta
Stage 1 Abisko to Abiskojaure
Stage 2 Abiskojaure to Alesjaure
Stage 3 Alesjaure to Tjäktja
Stage 4 Tjäktja to Sälka
Stage 5 Sälka to Singi
Stage 6 Singi to Kaitumjaure
Stage 7 Kaitumjaure to Teusajaure
Stage 8 Teusajaure to Saltoluokta via Vakkotavare
Additional itineraries
Additional itinerary 1 Singi to Nikkaluokta (alternative finish to Section 1)
Additional itinerary 2 Kebnekaise summit
Section 2 – Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk
Stage 9 Saltoluokta to Sitojaure
Stage 10 Sitojaure to Aktse
Stage 11 Aktse to Pårte
Stage 12 Pårte to Kvikkjokk
Section 3 – Kvikkjokk to Jäkkvik
Stage 13 Kvikkjokk to Tsielekjåkkå
Stage 14 Tsielekjåkkå to Gistojávrátj
Stage 15 Gistojávrátj to Gásakláhko
Stage 16 Gásakláhko to Vuonatjviken
Stage 17 Vuonatjviken to Jäkkvik
Section 4 – Jäkkvik to Ammarnäs
Stage 18 Jäkkvik to Luvtávrre
Stage 19 Luvtávrre to Bäverholmen
Stage 20 Bäverholmen to Tjiegnatisjávrrie
Stage 21 Tjiegnatisjávrrie to Rävfalls
Stage 22 Rävfalls to Ammarnäs
Section 5 – Ammarnäs to Hemavan
Stage 23 Ammarnäs to Aigert
Stage 24 Aigert to Serve
Stage 25 Serve to Tärnasjö
Stage 26 Tärnasjö to Syter
Stage 27 Syter to Viterskals
Stage 28 Viterskals to Hemavan
Appendix A Summary of facilities
Appendix B Useful contacts
Appendix C Summary of boat crossings
Appendix D Language
Seasons
Best walked between late June and early September.
Centres
Abisko, Kebnekaise Fjällstation, Nikkaluokta, Saltoluokta, Kvikkjokk, Jäkkvik, Adolfsström, Bäverholmen, Ammarnäs, Hemavan
Difficulty
The five trail sections are non-challenging and suitable for all able walkers; a thru-hike is more demanding in terms of time, commitment and planning. Many opt to make use of the huts found on three of the trail's sections to minimise weight. Some sections are suitable for family groups.
Must See
Abisko, Nikkaluokta, Lapone Mountains, Arjeplog Fells, Aktse, Syterskalet and Tjäktjavagge glacial valleys, five national parks including Sarek, Kebnekaise (Sweden's highest peak at 2098m), Hemavan
August 2021
Updates
Stage 8: earliest boat crossing at 9am and not at 7am anymore
Stage 10: no STF rowing boats available anymore, boat crossing only possible with Lars and Anna Blind (9am and 5pm, 300 SEK/person). However, they do additional trips for an extra 100 SEK/person (if hiking from the South, there is cell reception after the treeline coming up from Aktse if you want to call Lars and Anna)
Stage 12: camping was not permitted at Kvikkjokk fjällstation and also not the payable communal cooking and washing areas
September 2020
2020 updates
Stage 16 A sign has now been erected to mark the location of the Arctic Circle
Stage 22 An emergency shelter can be found approx 3km south of Stuorajåbba containing benches, a table and a wood stove. The shelter is marked on the map on page 128.
Stage 22 It is no longer possible to camp at the Ammarnäs Guide Centre
Stage 26 Syter STF fjällstuga no longer has a store on site
September 2019
Updates
The opening hours of the Handlar’n store at Jakkvik (p187) have been reduced. They are now: Mon-Wed 1000-1800; Thu 1000-1900; Fri 1000-2000; Sat 1000-1800; Sun 1200-1900.
July 2019
Page 30 - Transport
Swedish regional airline Direktflyg is now serving Hemavan and Lycksele with daily flights (less Saturdays) from and to Stockholm, sometimes twice daily. With Nordica serving Arvidsjaur and Gällivare, all destinations previously left without service when Next Jet ceased operating are now being served once again. Bookings for Hemavan and Lycksele can be made via www.direktflyg.com taking care as some of the website is in Swedish only. Direktflyg’s summer schedule currently runs till mid-October.
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