Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Daily bus 91 runs to Narvik (Norway; Skr280, 2¾ hours) via Abisko (Skr175, 1¼ hours).
Other departures include bus 501 to Jukkasjärvi (Skr40, 30 minutes, two to six daily), and
buses 10 and 52 to Gällivare (Skr178, 1¾ hours, two or three daily).
TRAIN
There is a daily overnight train to Stockholm (Skr960, 17½ hours) via Uppsala (Skr960,
16¾ hours) at 3.46pm. Other destinations include Narvik (Norway; Skr227, 3½ to 3¾
hours, two daily) via Abisko (Skr119, 1½ to two hours), Luleå (Skr281, 4¼ hours, five
daily) and Gällivare (Skr133, 1¼ hours, five daily).
Nikkaluokta & Kebnekaise
Tiny Nikkaluokta, 66km west of Kiruna, is one of the entrance points to the Kungsleden.
It's also the base for those wishing to hike or climb Sweden's highest mountain, Keb-
nekaise (2106m); the views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers are incredible on a clear
day.
In July and August, the marked trail up the western flank is usually snow-free and no
technical equipment is required to reach the southern summit (six to eight hours one way).
A considerably shorter but far steeper and harder-to-find trail snakes up the eastern flank
and traverses the Björling Glacier, which requires a rope, an ice axe, crampons and a guide
(12 to 14 hours one way).
Guided hikes and ice climbing can be arranged at
STF Kebnekaise Fjälstation
(
0980-550 00;
www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/kebnekaise
; dm/d/q Skr420/1550/2100; mid-
Feb-early May & mid-Jun-mid-Sep)
. This large, attractive mountain lodge nestles at the foot of
Mt Kebnekaise. A popular entry point to the Kungsleden, it has equipment rental and a
gear shop, a sauna and an excellent restaurant serving meals from locally sourced ingredi-
ents. The oldest part of the lodge, with fireplaces and characterful bunk rooms, dates to
1907. No guest is ever turned away, with large, basic dorms accommodating the spillover.
In winter, the lodge is a good place to view the northern lights and can be reached from
Nikkaluokta by snowmobile or reindeer-sled. For other transport, see (
Click here
)
.
