Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stage 1: Abisko to Kebnekaise (6 days; 105km)
From its starting point at Abisko Turiststation, the Kungsleden winds through the
elongated
Abisko National Park
, which contains some of the most lush and dense
vegetation of the trail, including beech forest lining the valley bottom. From the Alesjaure
cabins, perched on a mountain ridge 35km from the start, you'll get a fantastic view over
the open countryside below; there's a sauna here, too. The highest point on this segment is
the Tjäktja pass (1105m), 50km from the start, from where there are also wonderful views.
9
Stage 2: Kebnekaise to Saltoluokta (3 days; 51km)
One of the quietest sections of the trail, this segment takes in beech forest, open fells
and deep valleys. First of all you backtrack 14km to
Singi
, before heading south again
with an unobstructed view of the hills and glaciers of Sarek National Park. You then
paddle across the river at
Teusajaure
and climb over a plateau, from where you drop
steeply through more beech forest to
Vakkotavare
.
Stage 3: Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk (4 days; 73km)
This segment involves crossing two lakes and also passes through a bare landscape edged
by pine and beech forests. A long uphill climb of around five to six hours leads first to
Sitojaure
, on a bare high fell. The shallow lake here, which you have to cross, is choppy in
the strong wind; take the boat service operated by the cabin caretaker. You then cross the
wetlands on the other side of the lake, making use of the wooden planks laid down here,
to
Aktse
, where there's a vast field of yellow buttercups in summer. Using the row-boats
provided, row across
Lake Laitaure
for Kvikkjokk; as you approach you'll see pine forest.
Stage 4: Kvikkjokk to Ammarnäs (8 days; 166km)
Not recommended for novices, this is one of the most difficult stretches of the trail
(distances between cabins can be long, and there are four lakes to cross); it is, however,
one of the quietest. From
Kvikkjokk
you take the boat over Saggat Lake and walk to the
first cabin at
Tsielejåkk
. It's 55km to the next cabin at
Vuonatjviken
. You then take the
boat across Riebnesjaure and walk to Hornavan for another boat across to the village of
Jäkkvik
. It's a short hike of 8km to the next cabin, then on to the village of
Adolfström
.
Then you get another boat over Iraft Lake and on to the cabins at
Sjnjultje
. From here
there's a choice of routes: 34km direct to Ammarnäs, or 24km to Rävfallet and then
another 20km into Ammarnäs.
Stage 5: Ammarnäs to Hemavan (4 days; 78km)
This is the easiest part of the trail: you'll pass over low fells and heather-covered moors
and through beech forests and wetlands, the horizon lined with impressive fell peaks.
The only steep climb is 8km long between
Ammarnäs
and
Aigert
, where there's an
imposing waterfall and a traditional steam sauna in the cabin. On the way to the Syter
cabin, 48km from Aigert, you'll pass a network of bridges, which cross the various lakes
in what is called the Tärnasjö archipelago.
ACCOMMODATION ALONG THE KUNGSLEDEN TRAIL
There are basic
cabins
(all open late Feb to April & late June to mid-Sept; advance bookings not possible) along the entire
route, and from Abisko to Saltoluokta, north of the Arctic Circle, and in the south between Ammarnäs and Hemavan, and
also better-equipped STF
fjällstationer,
, or
mountain lodges
.
Stage 1
There are cabins en route at Abiskojaure,
Alesjaure, Tjäktja (before the pass), Sälka and Singi. At the
end of this section of cabins lies Kebnekaise
fjällstation
mountain lodge (see p.343), from where it's possible to
leave the main trail and head to Nikkaluokta (see p.343),
19km away (served by buses to Kiruna).
Stage 2
From Vakkotavore a bus runs to the quay at Kebnats,
and then a short boat trip brings you to Saltoluokta
fjällstation
mountain lodge (
T
0973 410 10,
W
stfsaltol
uokta.
com; late
Feb ear
ly May & mid-June to mid-Sept; dorms
395kr
, doubles
1090kr
) and the start of the next section. There are cabins
en
route at Singi, Kaitumjaure, Teusajaure and Vakkotavare.
