Kungsleden (King's Trail) is a
hiking trail
A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. The ...
in northern
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
, approximately long, between
Abisko
Abisko (; se, Ábeskovvu) is a village in Sápmi (Lapland (Sweden), Lapland), in northern Sweden, roughly 250 km within the Arctic Circle, and near Abisko National Park, located 4 km west of the village. It had 85 inhabitants as of 20 ...
in the north and
Hemavan
Hemavan ( South Sami: Bïerke) is a locality situated in Storuman Municipality, Västerbotten County ( Lapland), Sweden with 222 inhabitants in 2010.
It is located on European route E12. During the winter months Hemavan caters to many tourists, m ...
in the south.
It passes through, near the southern end, the
Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve
The Nature Reserve ( sv, Vindelfjällens naturreservat) is a nature reserve located in the municipalities of Sorsele and Storuman in Västerbotten County of Swedish Lapland. It is the largest natural reserve in Sweden and one of the largest p ...
, one of the largest protected areas in
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
. In the winter Kungsleden is a ski trail with approximately the same route.
History
The history of Kungsleden is connected to the Swedish Tourism Association (
Svenska Turistföreningen or STF).
This association was formed in 1885 by scientists at
Uppsala
Uppsala (, or all ending in , ; archaically spelled ''Upsala'') is the county seat of Uppsala County and the List of urban areas in Sweden by population, fourth-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It had 177,074 inha ...
in order to facilitate access to Swedish mountains. From the late nineteenth century, the association had the idea of creating a royal road through
the mountains in Swedish
Lapland. The proposed route was to link the present-day Abisko to Kvikkjokk. Construction of the
Malmbanan
The Iron Ore Line ( sv, Malmbanan) is a long railway line between Riksgränsen and Boden in Norrbotten County, Sweden, owned by Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration). The line also contains two branches, from Kiruna to Svappavaara ...
railway line between
Kiruna
(; se, Giron ; fi, Kiiruna ) is the northernmost Stad (Sweden), city in Sweden, situated in the province of Lapland, Sweden, Lapland. It had 17,002 inhabitants in 2016 and is the seat of Kiruna Municipality (population: 23,167 in 2016) in Norr ...
and
Narvik
( se, Áhkanjárga) is the third-largest municipality in Nordland county, Norway, by population. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Narvik. Some of the notable villages in the municipality include Ankenesstranda, Ball ...
in 1902 gave this project the required access. STF bought three officer cabins from the Swedish Railways including one at Abisko. With the very limited funds available, it gradually transformed the cabin at Abisko into a tourism station. It also built chalets: the first ones being those of Abiskojaure and
Kebnekaise
Kebnekaise (; from Sami or , "Cauldron Crest") is the highest mountain in Sweden. The Kebnekaise massif, which is part of the Scandinavian mountain range, has two main peaks. The glaciated southern peak used to be the highest at above sea leve ...
in 1907. Between Abisko and Abiskojaure, the trail followed an old road used to transport materials. In addition to the cottages, the association brought in boats for the lakes between Abisko and Vakkotavare.
For the section between Vakkotavare and
Kvikkjokk, the initial project was to take the trail through the middle of
Sarek National Park, with a cottage near the
Rapa River, crossing which would require a boat. The plans were later changed, such that the trail runs along the eastern end of park instead.
Initially, the trail was not marked or named. In 1920, in a book on Kebnekaise, the trail appeared under the name Alesvaggeleden. The trail between Abisko and Vakkotavare was finally marked in 1926 and 1927. In 1928, without any ceremony or inauguration the name Kungsleden appeared for the first time, with the opening of the Kvikkjokk station. The construction of the cottages was slow given the limited economic means of association. There was still no proper path to speak of and the public sentiment for the trail was very limited at first, but it quickly grew in popularity.
The trail was extended in a relatively discrete way. In 1941, the Kungsleden went from Abisko to Jäkkvik and early 1950s, it reached up to Ammarnäs. Some hikers at the time included Kungsleden in all STF trail networks in the mountains, from the
three-Country Cairn
The Three-Country Cairn ( fi, Kolmen valtakunnan rajapyykki, se, Golmma riikka urna, no, Treriksrøysa, sv, Treriksröset) is the point at which the international borders of Sweden, Norway and Finland meet, and the name of the monument that m ...
in the north to Grövelsjön in the south. In 1975, the trail was officially extended to Hemavan with the creation of the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve. The section further south (between
Sälen
Sälen () is a locality situated in Malung-Sälen Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden with 652 inhabitants in 2010.
Despite its small population, Sälen receives many tourists every winter. Sälen is best known for hosting the start of Vasaloppet ...
and
Storlien
Storlien is a village and ski resort located in Åre municipality in Jämtland, Sweden, two kilometres from the Swedish-Norwegian border. The primary bases of the settlement are tourism and outdoor life – alpine skiing, snowmobiling, cross- ...
) however, is sometimes called Södra Kungsleden (literally Southern Kungsleden).
The trail
Kungsleden runs for about between
Abisko
Abisko (; se, Ábeskovvu) is a village in Sápmi (Lapland (Sweden), Lapland), in northern Sweden, roughly 250 km within the Arctic Circle, and near Abisko National Park, located 4 km west of the village. It had 85 inhabitants as of 20 ...
in the north and
Hemavan
Hemavan ( South Sami: Bïerke) is a locality situated in Storuman Municipality, Västerbotten County ( Lapland), Sweden with 222 inhabitants in 2010.
It is located on European route E12. During the winter months Hemavan caters to many tourists, m ...
in the south. The trail is well-marked and many sections are well equipped and maintained by the Countyboard of Norrbotten (Länsstyrelsen i Norrbotten), with plank walkways covering swampy or rocky ground. However, other sections, further from the trailheads, are eroded and rocky, increasing the difficulty of hiking. There are bridges across non-fordable streams and during the summer season lakes and rivers could be crossed either with rowing boats provided by Countyboard of Norrbotten or STF or by taking a local charter boat. The winter trail takes a somewhat different course in locations where it runs over swamps or lakes that can not be negotiated in summer.
The trail is separated in four portions—each representing approximately one week of hiking. The most popular part is by far the northernmost—between
Abisko
Abisko (; se, Ábeskovvu) is a village in Sápmi (Lapland (Sweden), Lapland), in northern Sweden, roughly 250 km within the Arctic Circle, and near Abisko National Park, located 4 km west of the village. It had 85 inhabitants as of 20 ...
and
Kebnekaise
Kebnekaise (; from Sami or , "Cauldron Crest") is the highest mountain in Sweden. The Kebnekaise massif, which is part of the Scandinavian mountain range, has two main peaks. The glaciated southern peak used to be the highest at above sea leve ...
. The season, when the huts are open, usually runs between mid-June and the end of September, rowing boats are usually in place at the end of June or beginning of July, but the weather can be very treacherous, including late or early snow. The winter season runs from mid-February to the end of April.
Huts
Huts have been constructed along the trail, separated by a distance that a walker could expect to cover during the day, about . The huts are primarily operated by
STF. For a small fee, it is possible to pitch a tent outside and use the facilities. Supplies can be bought in some of them (Alesjaure and Kebnekaise Fjällstation for example). Some emergency shelters can also be found on the route.
The huts along Kungsleden are (from north to south):
*Abisko
*Abiskojaure
*Alesjaure
*Tjäktja
*Sälka
*
Singi
*Kaitumjaure
*Teusajaure
*Vakkotavare
*Saltoluokta
*Sitojaure
*Aktse
*Pårte
*Kvikkjokk
*Ammarnäs
*Aigert
*Serve
*Tärnasjö
*Syter
*Viterskalet
*Hemavan
There are no huts between Kvikkjokk and Ammarnäs which is about a section of the Kungsleden.
Map
An overview map of Kungsleden.
Sights
![Kungsleden from tjakta](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Kungsleden_from_tjakta.jpg)
Highlights along the way, sometimes a small detour is needed, are:
*
Abisko
Abisko (; se, Ábeskovvu) is a village in Sápmi (Lapland (Sweden), Lapland), in northern Sweden, roughly 250 km within the Arctic Circle, and near Abisko National Park, located 4 km west of the village. It had 85 inhabitants as of 20 ...
: Hostel / mountain station, botanical multitude during summer, back-country skiing during winter. From here, it's possible to get to Nikkaluokta via dog-sledging tours during the winter.
*
Kebnekaise
Kebnekaise (; from Sami or , "Cauldron Crest") is the highest mountain in Sweden. The Kebnekaise massif, which is part of the Scandinavian mountain range, has two main peaks. The glaciated southern peak used to be the highest at above sea leve ...
: Sweden's highest mountain, , and centre of Swedish alpinism, with the
lodge
Lodge is originally a term for a relatively small building, often associated with a larger one.
Lodge or The Lodge may refer to:
Buildings and structures Specific
* The Lodge (Australia), the official Canberra residence of the Prime Ministe ...
(Kebnekaise Fjällstation) at its foot.
*
Sarek National Park: part of
Lappland world heritage
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
. No roads, tracks or bridges makes this a terrain for experienced hikers.
*
Kvikkjokk: Old mountain farming village and hostel.
*
Hemavan
Hemavan ( South Sami: Bïerke) is a locality situated in Storuman Municipality, Västerbotten County ( Lapland), Sweden with 222 inhabitants in 2010.
It is located on European route E12. During the winter months Hemavan caters to many tourists, m ...
and
Tärnaby
Tärnaby is a locality situated in Storuman Municipality, Lappland, Västerbotten County, Sweden with 482 inhabitants in 2010.
It is known for its successful skiers, particularly in the "technical" disciplines: Slalom and Giant Slalom: Ingemar ...
: Small towns/villages with hiking possibilities in the summer, and back-country skiing possibilities in the winter. Native village of alpine skiers
Ingemar Stenmark
Jan Ingemar Stenmark (; born 18 March 1956) is a Swedish former World Cup alpine ski racer. He is regarded as one of the most prominent Swedish athletes ever, and as the greatest slalom and giant slalom specialist of all time. He competed fo ...
and
Anja Pärson.
Access
Access to Abisko is by direct train from
Gothenburg
Gothenburg (; abbreviated Gbg; sv, Göteborg ) is the second-largest city in Sweden, fifth-largest in the Nordic countries, and capital of the Västra Götaland County. It is situated by the Kattegat, on the west coast of Sweden, and has ...
,
Stockholm
Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
or
Narvik
( se, Áhkanjárga) is the third-largest municipality in Nordland county, Norway, by population. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Narvik. Some of the notable villages in the municipality include Ankenesstranda, Ball ...
. Abisko can also be reached by bus either from
Kiruna
(; se, Giron ; fi, Kiiruna ) is the northernmost Stad (Sweden), city in Sweden, situated in the province of Lapland, Sweden, Lapland. It had 17,002 inhabitants in 2016 and is the seat of Kiruna Municipality (population: 23,167 in 2016) in Norr ...
or from Narvik, which can be reached by regular air traffic.
Hemavan is easily accessible by car or bus from
Umeå
Umeå ( , , , locally ; South Westrobothnian: ;). fi, Uumaja; sju, Ubmeje; sma, Upmeje; se, Ubmi) is a city in northeast Sweden. It is the seat of Umeå Municipality and the capital of Västerbotten County.
Situated on the Ume River, Ume ...
or
Mo i Rana
Mo i Rana () is a List of towns and cities in Norway, city, and the administrative centre of the Municipalities of Norway, municipality of Rana, Norway, Rana, in Nordland county, Norway. It is located in the Helgeland region of Nordland, just sou ...
in Norway.
[''How to get here''](_blank)
sur ''Vindelfjällen'' (consulté le 24 mars 2013) Some buses only run during the summer season. The
Hemavan Tärnaby Airport is the closest airport to the reserve and has one flight per day, 6 days per week, to and from
Stockholm-Arlanda
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is an international airport located in the Sigtuna Municipality of Sweden, near the town of Märsta, north of Stockholm and nearly south-east of Uppsala. The airport is located within Stockholm County and the p ...
, with a flight time of 1.25 hours.
A few places along the trail can be reached by road or public transport (a few others can also be reached by boat charter services).
*
Nikkaluokta
Nikkaluokta () is a Swedish Sami village in Norrbotten County. The village belongs to Gällivare Municipality, bordering Kiruna Municipality, the closest urban area some 60 kilometers away. In its vicinity lie the areas of two Sami communities, ...
, about of the trail and from Kebnekaise can be reached by bus or car from Kiruna.
*
Suorva
Suorva () or Suorvadammen ("the Suorva Dam") is a small settlement situated at the southern parts of Akkajaure, in Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Sweden. The settlement can be reached by car (and bus, from Gällivare). It consists of a few hous ...
and Kebnats can be reached by bus or car from
Gällivare
Gällivare (; fi, Jällivaara; se, Jiellevárri or ; smj, Jiellevárre or ; fit, Jellivaara) is a locality and the seat of Gällivare Municipality in Norrbotten County, province of Lapland, Sweden with 8,449 inhabitants in 2010. The town was ...
.
*
Kvikkjokk can be reached by bus or car from
Jokkmokk
Jokkmokk (; smj, Jåhkåmåhkke or ; se, Dálvvadis; fi, Jokimukka) is a locality and the seat of Jokkmokk Municipality in Norrbotten County, province of Lapland, Sweden, with 2,786 inhabitants in 2010. The Lule Sami name of the place (composed ...
.
*Jäckvik (Jäkkvik) can be reached by bus or car from Umeå,
Arvidsjaur
Arvidsjaur (; sju, Árviesjávrrie; ) is a Urban areas in Sweden, locality and the seat of Arvidsjaur Municipality in Norrbotten County, provinces of Sweden, province of Lapland, Sweden, Lapland, Sweden with 4,635 inhabitants in 2010.
Arvidsjaur ...
or
Fauske in Norway.
*Adolfström can be reached by bus or car from
Arjeplog
Arjeplog (; Pite Sami: ) is a locality and the seat of Arjeplog Municipality in Norrbotten County, province of Lapland, Sweden with 1,977 inhabitants in 2010.
It is a popular winter test site for the Asian and European car industries and feature ...
.
*
Ammarnäs can be reached by bus or car from
Sorsele
Sorsele (; sma, Suarsa; Ume Sami: ) is a locality and the seat of Sorsele Municipality in Västerbotten County, province of Lapland, Sweden with 1,277 inhabitants in 2010. Sorsele is also the nearest town to the ski resort Nalovardo. It is kno ...
.
During the summer Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur and Sorsele are reachable by
The Inland Line tourist railway.
Records
Since a few years, several trail running athletes run to try to enter a speed record. Those records are logged on the FKT website. Swedish athlete
Emelie Forsberg
Emelie Tina Forsberg (born December 11, 1986) is a Swedish athlete specializing in trail running (skyrunning, mountain running) and ski mountaineering. She has won repeated victories in different disciplines, including European and World Champion ...
holds the female speed record. Belgian adventurer
Louis-Philippe Loncke
Louis-Philippe Loncke is a Belgian explorer, adventurer and motivational speaker. In 2008, he achieved the world first crossing on foot of the length of the Simpson desert, which was a North to South traverse passing through its geographical ce ...
is the first to walk and packraft the entire trail unsupported, climbing underway also
Skierfe and the
Kebnekaise
Kebnekaise (; from Sami or , "Cauldron Crest") is the highest mountain in Sweden. The Kebnekaise massif, which is part of the Scandinavian mountain range, has two main peaks. The glaciated southern peak used to be the highest at above sea leve ...
North and South summits.
[HLN]
"Belgische avonturier legt als eerste Koningspad in Zweden volledig autonoom af"
4 September 2021
References
External links
Information from STF about KungsledenA PDF brochure about KungsledenInformation from traildino.com
{{Authority control
Hiking trails in Sweden