Self-guided Hiking on the King's Trail

Overview

• Required: You should have previous experience of walking with a backpack and be in good physical condition. Recommended minimum age 16 years.
• Duration: 8 days/7 nights (9 days/8 nights if adding optional ascent of Kebnekaise).
• Accommodation: Two or three nights in mountain stations, five nights in mountain cabins along the route.
• Photos »

The King's Trail, or "Kungsleden", lies in the far north of Swedish Lapland and is Sweden's best-known hiking route, offering spectacular mountain scenery in a very remote area, yet accessible to a wide range of hikers due to the relatively easy-going terrain and network of mountain cabins along the route.

Self-guided Hiking on the King's Trail takes in the section between Abisko and Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise (2106m), with an 8-day/7-night tour through a changing landscape of forest, valleys, lakes, mountains and huge sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness. As an optional extra, you can choose to extend your hike by one day to make a guided ascent of Mount Kebnekaise itself.

The mountain stations where you begin and end your tour are fully equipped, offering showers, sauna and restaurant faciltiies (dinner at the stations is included). Along the route, you will be staying in simple but comfortable mountain cabins, some of which have sauna facilities (included) and the opportunity to purchase provisions for self-catering. With these options to re-supply, it is necessary to carry food only for max. 2 days at a time, and your pack should not weigh more than around 10-12kg.

This self-guided hiking tour is offered at the beginning and end of the main hiking season, from mid-June to first week in July and from end of August to third week in September, and is suitable for anyone with general good level of fitness and some previous experience of extended hiking with pack.

NB: This tour is the self-guided variation of our guided Hiking on the King's Trail from Abisko to Kebnekaise experience, which is offered during the main hiking season from late June to early September.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Abisko Tourist Station. Accommodation in 4-person rooms, hostel standard. There will be an information meeting with local guide at 18.00 where you will be updated on latest trail conditions, etc.You will collect your accommodation vouchers, maps and other items necessary for your tour and have an opportunity to ask any questions. Dinner is served in the station restaurant.

Day 2

Your hike begins, taking you through Abisko National Park, along the Abisko River towards the cabins at Lake Abiskojaure, where you spend the night. There is a small shop here to purchase provisions for dinner and lunch for the following day. Use of sauna at Abiskojaure is included - an ideal way to end the day!

Distance: 15km; Height gain: +100m

Day 3

You begin with a climb up into the next valley towards the cabins at Alesjaure, which you will see in the distance surrounded by high mountains. At Alesjaure you should purchase provisions for the next two days from the small store. Sauna is included for this night.

Distance: 20km; Height gain: +300m

Day 4

A short hike to the mountain cabin at Tjäktja and a chance to enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of this section. NB: There is no store at the cabins. You must have sufficient food for this day's dinner and breakfast/lunch the following day before leaving Alesjaure.

Distance: 13km; Height gain: +200m

Day 5

Today takes you over the highest point on the King's Trail, the Tjäkjta Pass (1140m) with beautiful views down the Tjäktjavagge valley as you descend towards the cabins at Sälka. Here you should purchase provisions for the next two days and enjoy an evening sauna.

Distance: 12km; Height difference: +150m, -300m

Day 6

This day is a relatively easy walk through the valley with stunning mountain views towards the cabins at Singi. Note that you must have purchased provisions for dinner this today and breakfast/lunch the following day before leaving Sälka the evening before.

Distance: 12km; Height loss: -100m

Day 7

Surrounded by high peaks and glaciers, this day takes you to Kebnekaise Mountain Station, a fully equipped mountain station where sauna, shower and dinner in the station restaurant awaits.

Distance: 14km; Height difference: + 150 m, -150 m

Day 8 (standard tours)

The final day of your King's Trail tour is an easy walk to Lake Ladtjojaure, where you will catch the boat across the lake and hike through the forest to reach Nikkaluokta. There is a restaurant here which also offers shower facilities (additional fee payable locally). From Nikkaluokta, public bus services depart to Kiruna for onward connections.

Distance: 19km (14km hiking + 5km boat); Height loss: -200m

Day 8 (if adding optional ascent of Mt. Kebnekaise, possible for dates between late June and early September)

Led by local guide, this optional day tour takes you to the summit of Mt. Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain. The tour typically takes around 10 hours with altitude gain/loss of 1400m, distance approx. 15km. The tour includes walking on glaciers and a simple climbing section. Climbing experience is not required, but participants must not be afraid of height. Accommodation at Kebnekaise Mountain Station as Day 7 (not that dinner is not included for this extra night).

Distance: 15km ; Height loss/gain: 1400m

Day 9 (if adding optional ascent of Mt. Kebnekaise)

As for Day 8 (standard tours) above.

Additional information

The midnight sun does not shine all summer long but it is daylight 24 hours a day from around mid May to the end of July. In August and September, bring a small torch or headlamp.

There are only emergency telephones in the cabins. The phone is directly connected to the police. Mobile phones generally do not work out in the mountains.

Dates & Prices

Dates

The self-guided tour is offered during the early and late part of the hiking season. For tours during high season, please see the guided version of this experienced, Hiking on the King's Trail from Abisko to Kebnekaise.

Tours are possible on dates by arrangement between start 14.06.13 and end 07.07.13* and between start 31.08.13 and end 21.09.13*.

*End dates given are latest dates to check in at Kebnekaise Mountain Station, the accommodation at the end of the route.

The Price

£483/person

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

Accommodation in shared multi-person rooms at Abisko Tourist Station, Kebnekaise Mountain Station and beds in mountain cabins along the route.

Cabins: The beds are fitted with mattresses, pillows and blankets. During the summer season you should bring a light sleeping bag or sleeping sheet. The cabins are comfortable but of basic standard and there is no electricity or running water. You will all need to help each other with domestic duties, cleaning, cooking, doing the dishes etc. Wooden fires or gas heats the cabins. The cooking is done on gas stoves. The cabins you will visit during this hike have 20-78 beds (rooms with 4-10 beds, male/female mixed). There are also extra mattresses and blankets in case the cabin gets full. Everyone will get shelter - in the event that all the beds are occupied you will get a space on the floor and a mattress. It is not possible to reserve beds in advance.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner at Abisko Day 1, dinner at Kebnekaise Day 7. Other meals are self-catering and you will need to carry provisions for max. 2 days at a time during the tour.

Transfers

Boat on Lake Ladtjojuare.

Information/Maps

• Information meeting with local guide in Abisko before beginning your hike.
• Map of the route.

Experienced and knowledgeable local guide.

What The Price Does Not Include

• Meals apart from those specified above. Provisions are available to purchase at some of the mountain cabins along the route for self-catering as outlined under "Itinerary".
• Public bus Nikkaluokta-Kiruna.

Optional extras:

• Day tour to summit of Mt. Kebnekaise: A guided day-tour to the summit of Kebnekaise (Sweden's highest mountain at 2106m) on Day 7 can be added at a cost of £231/person. Peak tours are normally possible from late June to early September*. Price includes guided day ascent, equipment and additional night's accommodation at Kebnekaise Mountain Station including breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. Tour typically takes around 10 hours, distance 15km, height gain/loss 1400m. This must be booked and paid for in advance as part of your booking.
• Backpacks are available to hire for the tour, sizes 50L, 55L or 65L, price £58. Backpacks must be booked in advance.

*In the event that a peak tour is booked but cannot take place due to weather conditions, cash refund will be made locally for the summit tour component (not including additional night's accommodation, included meals, etc).

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

You should have some previous experience of walking with a backpack and be in good physical condition. Minimum recommend age 16 years, maximum recommended age 70 years.

Min. 2 persons required for safety reasons. Max. hiking distance in one day 20km. Please see under "Itinerary" for daily height differences.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.

Groups

This experience is ideal for groups - please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Additional Notes

This provider has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for its commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

The experience begins at Abisko Turiststation and ends in Nikkaluokta for public bus to Kiruna for onward connections.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm. Night train to Abisko Turiststation, return night train from Kiruna. You can also travel by domestic flight connection to/from Kiruna, though night train is normally the most convenient option.

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward train connections to Abisko Turistation and return from Kiruna.

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