This trek with a length of 440 km in Swedish Lapland, connecting Abisko (in the North) to Hemavan (in the South) is feasible from half- June to mid-September for the summer trail. This is a well-marked trail, laid out with lots of wooden planks to ease the marshy and muddy sections. There are cabins with small grocery stores for supplies and comodities if needed and some sections allow you to reach the road and buses if you only want to do a part of the trail.
Despite the low drop (6028m of D+ in totaly) which doesn't represent much for a long hiking trail, and an altitude never rising very high , the weather is harsh and capricious. For example the highest point in Sweden, the Kebnekaise is 2106m, it's also accessible off-trail from the refuge Kebnekaise in the northern part of the trail (I highly recommend to do it). It's important to provide warm and waterproof clothes, as well as appropriate equipment. You can find my gear list updated for my crossing of the Hexatrek.
What makes this trek quite difficult and mythical is the isolation that it provides, we find ourselves more than 50 km from the roads that can bring us back to civilization, the network is for the most part missing, and the possibilities of supplies are limited, which for our part pushed us to do it in complete autonomy.
In June there were very few people on the trail, there were a few of us following each other and meeting again during the day, there weren't any mosquitoes, we never used a headnet (mosquito net), there were snowy parts that we crossed without difficulty, we were able to enjoy the midnight sun which was an amazing experience. The temperatures were very cold at night, and quite cold during the day mainly because of the constant wind.
Each period seems to have its particularities, it's up to you to find what suits you best!
Kungsleden can start in both directions, and there are a lot of possibilities to get there.
We opted for the arctic circle train from Stockloms to get to Abisko (the most frequented departure).
The cheaper and the greener would be to reach Stockholm by bus or hitchhiking for the more adventurous.
One of my greatest experiences.
It was incredible to see the landscapes of Lapland pass before our eyes for hours, to discover the great plains, the immense lakes, to slowly begin to immerse ourselves in our adventure.
There is the possibility to pay for cabins with berths, which makes the experience even more special and requested more comfortable! Or buy a seat for less.
Noted that the trip lasts approximately 18h and that the cabins contain different quantities of berths.
There is also a self-service shower on the train (very practical for the return).
The trail can be accessed by road or train at Abisko, Nikkaluokta, Saltoluokta, Kvikkjokk, Ammarnas, Hemavan.
Some places have to be crossed over short distances by boat or bus, and some lakes can also be crossed by small motor boat on request.
So plan a little money for transport.
There are on the trail STF infrastructures (sweden tourism association) every 10-20 km in the northern part and they become more spaced out in the southern part.
There are also small huts in some places where you can shelter inside, take a break during the day, and if you're lucky sleep in it with a little comfort and warmth. There is a table and benches, and sometimes a stove and wood stored nearby.
Kebnekaise / Saltoluokta / Kvijkkjokk and surely others but I didn't do the whole route
These larger refuges, close to the road, welcome more hikers and Swedish families who come for shorter periods.
They then have more commodities, often a sauna, and sometimes a slightly larger grocery store, alivingroom (at the Kebnekaise the refuge remains open day and night), a restaurant and above all an all-you-can-eat meal for around 10/15€ ( 110Sek).
Not to be missed!
There is a supermarket in Jakkvikk and Amarnass.
Not having done the entire Kungsleden, I can't give any indication of prices but it seems that they are well supplied.
Not much at the time, we had restricted ourselves as much as possible for our 3 weeks of trek:
- Extra: compotes, sachets of peanuts/cashew nuts and chocolate bars
- Meal: sachets of mashed potatoes (can be made with water), semolina, 3minutes pasta, vermicelli.
- For the first week: crackers with something to spread.
There are several lakes to cross during the route.
You have two choices:
- Pay around 12€ (120sek/pers) the crossing in motor boat with the guardian of the nearby hut . If you are on the other side of the shore there is sometimes something to contact him so that he can pick you up.
- Cross in a rowing boat to reach the other bank.
Warning, there are always 3 boats and it must always have at least one per side.
If you are lucky you arrive on the side of the shore with 2 boats and could cross leaving your boat on the other side, which was our case each time!
If you arrive on the side of the single boat you must cross, get a boat that you will attach to yours in order to cross back to drop it off on the other side and finally return to your destination and continue your journey.
This can take you many hours in the day.
Very present during the summer period (July & August) and in forests, they are less numerous at altitude, on the plateaus and the northern plains.
We did the hike in June and temperatures were still very cold at the beggining of the season and had probably spared ourselves from this torture
Completely magical!
It's possible to enjoy it from June to mid July in the northern part of the trek, even if for the rest of the time the nights will remain short .
It's a great experience to have sun non stop for several weeks, to be able to walk at night without worrying about the hour, and to see the days go by without interruption.
Be careful though, temperatures drop in the evening and can reach negative.
Equip yourself consequently!
It's very pure and available everywhere on the trail, there is no need to carry too much water on you during the day.
1L seems sufficient, the bag is already heavy enough, so take advantage of it.
A water filter can be used when you have doubts. We've never used it, and we've had no problems.
I wish you to be amazed in this remote and wild region where you come across more reindeer than people per km².
To enjoy the Allemansrätten; constitutional right of free access to nature, authorizing bivouac and swimming everywhere in the country (excluding national parks containing dedicated areas
To offer you this timeless adventure, far from the comfort of our lives.
I hope you find this article helpful. Don't hesitate to contact me on my socials medias, for any questions, it's with pleasure that I would exchange on this topic and the others.
Wonderful adventures to all!
