King’s Trail (7 days)

Kungsleden is a trail that was developed in the early 1900 by the Swedish Tourism Organization (STF). The goal was that the trail would pass the most beautiful places that could be found in the Swedish mountain range. Kungsleden translates to The King of Trails. And it’s easy to understand when you’re out there.
On this trip we follow the northern, and most popular, part. Stretching 107 km from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. We’ll pass beautiful valleys, steep mountain sides and sharp mountain peaks. From the green birch forest close to Abisko up to the barren mountain pass at Tjäktja.

Preliminary schedule below.

Arrival day
Arrival in Kiruna, north of Sweden. We recommend arriving mid day if possible. Your guide will pick you up at the airport/train station and take you to your chalet at Camp Ripan where you will spend the first night.

At around 15.00, depending on arrival times, we’ll meet up and go through the equipment, and you will get the things and food we provide for you. If you have anything missing there’s time to sort that out before the local shops close.
If everything is set there’s some free time before we enjoy a 3-course dinner toghether in Camp Ripans restaurant at 19.00.

Day 1 – First day in the mountains
15 km. Abisko -> Abiskojaure. Sleep in tent. Easy trail in forest landscape. Breakfast buffet at 07.00 before we drive/take the bus to Abisko. Here we’ll start our hike south along Kungsleden. We will hike through the dense birch forest towards the the hut at Abiskojaure, about 14 km up the valley. Here we’ll put up our tents for the first night, but we have the luxury of going inside the hut to cook food and dry some clothes if they are wet.

Day 2 – We are leaving the forest
21 km. Abiskojaure -> Alesjaure. Sleep in tent. Easy trail with some uphill. One of the longest days. The first kilometers goes trough the forest but we are soon starting to gain som altitude that takes us above the tree line. Here we’ll follow the big lakes to the hut, and warm sauna, at Alesjaure.

Day 3 – Along the big valley
13 km. Alesjaure -> Tjäktja Hut. Sleep in tent. Easy trail. We’ll keep on south along the valley that we hiked trough the day before. Mostly easy terrain on mountain moors.

Day 4 – The highest point
12 km.Tjäktja Hut -> Sälka Hut. Sleep in tent. Rocky terrain and some steeper sections. We’ll reach the highest point along the trail at the Tjäktja mountain pass. Early in summer it might still be close to winter up here. If the weather is good and the group is strong, this day might be combined with day 4.

Day 5 – Maybe the most beautiful part
12 km. Sälka Hut -> Singi Hut. Sleep in tent. Mostly easy trail with some rocky sections. The Tjäkta Valley opens up and the hiking becomes easier. Around us we’ll have high mountains, impressive cliffs and white glaciers.

Day 6 – Civilisation again
15 km. Singi -> Kebnekaise Mountain Station. Sleep in tent. Moderate trail with some rocky sections. We’re back in ”civilisation”. At Kebnekaise Mountain Station we will enjoy a cold beer, sauna and a 3-course dinner.

Extra day possible – Additional cost
We’ll join the guides at Kebnekaise Mountain Station along the eastern route to the south peak of Kebnekaise. If day 3 and 4 have been done as one, we’ll have an extra day to use here.

Day 7 – On our way home
13 km hiking + 6 km boat. Kebnekaise Mountain Station -> Nikkaluokta. Easy trail. Breakfast buffet in the morning followed by easy hiking back to Nikkaluokta. Mid hike we will hop on the boat that saves our tired legs and feet som distance. Back in Kiruna no later than 17.00.