Kungsleden Trail

The Kungsleden, the King's Trail, is the classic long-distance hike of Sweden, running over four hundred kilometres through the Lapland mountains, though most walk its spectacular northern stretch from Abisko past Kebnekaise, the country's highest peak. A chain of mountain huts and lake ferries makes the great emptiness walkable.

The landscape

• The northern section - the celebrated Abisko to Nikkaluokta stretch past Kebnekaise.
• Mountain huts - the network of staffed and self-service huts along the way.
• Tjaktja pass - the high point of the northern trail, with sweeping views.
• Autumn colour - the fells ablaze with the northern autumn in September.

When to go

The short mountain summer from late June to September, when huts are open and the trail is snow-free; late winter and spring for ski touring the same route. Autumn adds colour but the season is short.

Practical notes

It is a serious multi-day wilderness trek, so even the popular northern stretch needs fitness, kit and weather-readiness rather than a casual attitude. Huts fill in peak weeks and weather turns fast at altitude. Day-walk sections from Abisko give a taste for those not doing the whole route.

Nearby

Abisko is the northern trailhead; Kebnekaise mountain station lies off the trail.