The Kungsleden

Swedish Lapland is often referred to as Europe’s last great wilderness and this trek is ideal if you would like to have a real mountain experience but with relatively easy walking. Whilst the ascents are not particularly tough The Kungsleden is more suited to those with previous experience as you will carry provisions for a maximum of 2 days at a time.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Hut to Hut Walking | Walk from hut to hut, changing accommodation each night

Long-Distance Trails

The minimum age for this tour is: 18 Years

This walk is graded as moderate. The longest day is 21km and the highest ascent is 430m. So whilst the walking is not too tough, you should have previous experience of long-distance walking and be in relatively good physical shape to get the most from this walk. There is no bag transfer available on this tour and as well as your belongings you will need to carry at least a few days' worth of food with you, adding 1-2kg on to the weight of your backpack.

The terrain is a mixture of rocky trails, faint grassy paths and wooden foot boards which are in place to enable covering large areas of bog. The boards are generally well-maintained, but care should be taken in wet conditions as they can become slippery. Some easy river crossings are also involved. As there are very few trees here, the route is particularly exposed to the elements, particularly wet or windy weather can slow you down a bit.

Remoteness

It is important to note that the terrain covered on the Kungsleden is wild and remote. There is no mobile phone coverage for the duration of the hike. At times you could be as far away as 50-60km from a road. There are frequently placed manned cabins along the way which have rescue phones and the trail is popular so you are unlikely to be alone on the trail, however, you should keep in mind that you will be hiking in a true wilderness. 

7 nights accommodation is included in your trip. 2 nights are in multi-bedded rooms at the Abisko and Kebnekaise mountain stations, and 5 nights will be spent in multi-bedded rooms in mountain cabins on the trek. Saunas are available at Abisko, Alesjaure and Sälka.

The mountain cabins have mixed-sex rooms with 4-10 beds. The beds are fitted with mattresses, pillows and blankets. You should bring a light sleeping bag and camping kit with knive, fork, spoon etc with you. Occasionally if the beds are all taken then you will get a space on the floor with a mattress but this is not very common and is only really a problem at the Tjaktja cabin during peak season.

The cabins are basic and have no electricity or running water. Everybody helps with domestic duties including cleaning, cooking and taking the rubbish out. Cooking is done on gas-stoves. All the huts are manned by hut custodians.

It is possible to upgrade to private rooms in Abisko and Kebnekaise but this is on a request basis and will only be confirmed on booking dependent on availability. Please select this option if you would like to do this.

Single Rooms and Solo Walkers

This trip is not available to solo walkers, and as the accommodations are multi-bedded rooms, single rooms are not available.

Meals

2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner are included at the Abisko and Kebnekaise Mountain Stations. The rest of the time you will need to carry provisions with you (for a maximum of 2 days worth of food at a time).

In Abisko, Alesjaure and Sälka you will find small shops where you can buy dried and canned food, drinks and snacks etc. There is no fresh food for sale. Budget approx 150SEK per person per day for food plus a beer in the sauna!

The Kungsleden is part of a national trail system and comprises of a well-worn path with painted poles/stones where the trail is difficult to follow.

We will provide you with a comprehensive guidebook and map so you should have no problem finding your way. You will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone’s GPS. Using this combined with the provided map means you should have no problems finding your way.

This trip is available to start on any day of the week between the middle of June and the middle of September. We do recommend booking as early as possible as the accommodation gets booked up quickly.

Time of Year

The summer season in Swedish Lapland is quite short from mid-June until mid-September. To experience the 'midnight sun' you should plan to visit between June and the middle of July. For sightings of the famous northern lights, visit from the end of August onwards.

By Air: Kiruna Airport is the closest airport to Abisko at the start of your walk. Flights are available via Stockholm (1h30).

By Rail: You can take the train or bus from Kiruna directly to Abisko Railway Station. The journey takes approx 1.5 hrs. See https://www.sj.se/en/home.html.We recommend you check the timetables and book your tickets in advance, as depending on the time of your flight into Stockholm, you may not always find a connecting train and will have to arrange a transfer from Kiruna Airport.

By Bus: An airport bus runs between Kiruna and Abisko. See http://www.ltnbd.se/ Again we recommend you check the timetables and book your tickets in advance.

Private Transfer: Private transfers can be arranged with VisitAbisko from Kiruna to Abisko. See http://www.visitabisko.com/location/how-to-get-here for information and to book tickets.

By Air: Kiruna is also the closest airport to Nikkaluokta. From Nikkaluokta there is a daily bus which departs late afternoon back to Kiruna which takes approx 1 hour. This will get you back to Kiruna for about 6pm so depending on the time of your flight you may require to stay overnight in Kiruna. The other option is to take the overnight train from Kiruna to Arlanda International Airport (Stockholm) for onward flight connections.

Baggage transfers are not available due to the remote location of the mountain cabins. You can send things not needed for your hike by bus to Nikkaluokta. Arrangements for this can be made at Abisko Mountain Station. (payable locally).