The King’s Trail Hike in Sweden, One of Europe’s Oldest Hiking Routes

The King’s Trail, known as “one of Europe’s oldest hiking routes,” is gradually becoming a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. This route boasts some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery, including solemn and tranquil snow-capped mountains, verdant mountain wilderness, dense birch forests, and vast lowlands, offering a dramatic range of landscapes that deliver a truly awe-inspiring visual experience.

Lapland is the largest remaining wilderness in Europe, a primordial realm encompassing U-shaped valleys, cirques, glacial mounds, rivers, bogs, and birch trees. The Sami people have lived here since prehistoric times, leading a nomadic life with their large herds of reindeer.

For hikers, the 439-kilometer King’s Trail is the best way to explore this region. It runs south from Abisko, inside the Arctic Circle, to Hemavan, with simple mountain huts located every 10-20 kilometers along the way. There are boardwalks and bridges crossing bogs and streams, as well as ferries and rowing boats for crossing lakes. These amenities make Lapland more accessible, but still thrilling and wild.

The trail is divided into four sections, each requiring approximately one week of hiking. The most popular section to date is the northernmost stretch between Abisko and Kebnekaise.

Kebnekaise is Sweden’s highest peak, and visitors often choose to climb the south peak to witness the stunning wilderness of the Arctic Circle. The King’s Trail route also passes through Abisko National Park, Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Sarek National Park, and Padjelanta National Park.

From June to August, the summer is at its peak, with sunny days that can last for several days. In the warm and comfortable climate, the King’s Trail becomes more lively. The combination of solemn and tranquil snow-capped mountains, verdant mountain wilderness, dense birch forests, and vast lowlands creates a dramatic range of landscapes that deliver a truly awe-inspiring visual experience. The King’s Trail boasts some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery, offering hikers a truly memorable experience.

After August, the Arctic summer is nearing its end, and the number of people on the trail starts to dwindle. As winter approaches, the trail becomes completely silent, solitary, and forlorn.

In September, the birch trees turn a brilliant golden yellow, the lingonberries become bright red, and the vast valleys transform into a snow-covered world. The King’s Trail is incredibly beautiful at this time of year. Snowflakes drift down, the air is crisp and fresh. The nights grow longer, and the Northern Lights begin to dance across the sky. The autumn on the trail is wild, colorful, and solitary, and it’s also the most dangerous and beautiful time of year.

English name: kungsleden trail

Location: Between Hemavan and Abisko in northern Sweden

Length: 440 kilometers (4 routes)

Duration: 7 days (1 route)

Difficulty: Moderate

Best months: Late June – Early September

Day 1: Arrive in Stockholm

Day 2: Stockholm

Day 3: Stockholm – Kiruna – Nikkaluokta

Day 4: Nikkaluokta – Kebnekaise

Hiking distance: 12 kilometers

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Day 5: Kebnekaise – Singi

Hiking distance: 14 kilometers

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 6: Singi – Kaitumjaure

Hiking distance: 13 kilometers

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 7: Kaitumjaure – Teusajaure

Hiking distance: 9 kilometers

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Highest elevation: 780 meters

Day 8: Teusajaure – Vakkotavare – Kiruna

Hiking distance: 15 kilometers

Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Day 9: Kiruna – Stockholm

Day 10: Stockholm

 You can choose any starting point for the King’s Trail, but when hiking in the Arctic, it’s generally recommended to hike from north to south, as this allows you to walk facing the sun.

2. Mountain huts are seasonal and typically open from mid-June to mid-September. Make sure to book in advance.

The distances between the huts are generally short, except for the 21-kilometer stretch between Alesjaure and Abiskojaure. The remaining distances between huts are between 12-14 kilometers, all within a day’s reach.

3. If you choose to enter the trail in September, you need to be well-prepared for Sweden’s unpredictable and cold weather. While some mountain huts remain open, many services are discontinued, including some essential public transportation.

4. Some sections require boat crossings across lakes, which are typically offered from late June or early July. However, the weather here is fickle, and if you encounter adverse conditions, including late or early snow, some sections may require you to take a detour.

1. All mountain huts and hotels along the way are managed by STF (Swedish Tourist Association). You can find all the latest information about hut openings and closing dates, including maps, other considerations, and special services offered by each hut, on the STF website.

2. The huts along the trail typically have a small shop where you can buy essential items, but they will close as the hiking season ends. The nearest supermarkets to the trail are located in Kiruna and Abisko Östra.

3. At the STF Abisko and Kebnekaisefjallstation supply stores, you’ll find a wide variety of items, including various foods and other essentials such as camping equipment, gas cartridges, and matches, all at reasonable prices.

4. If you have an international youth hostel card, you will receive a discount on bookings for hostels or camping along the way through STF, averaging 100 Swedish kronor per night.

Embark on a King’s Trail hiking adventure in beautiful Sweden, a land steeped in Norse mythology. Paddle through the Stockholm archipelago, leave your footprints on the renowned Kungsleden, the King’s Trail. Along the way, experience the Sami culture, walk through landscapes straight out of The Lord of the Rings, stand beneath breathtaking waterfalls in a fairy-tale setting, and temporarily forget the fatigue of the trek. Of course, the hiking route presents some challenging and difficult stages. However, a well-balanced itinerary will allow you to discover a different side of Scandinavia, immersing yourself in the ultimate fusion of nature and culture, savoring it slowly and thoughtfully.