Hiking 440 km from Abisko to Hemavan

KUNGSLEDEN TRAIL

In September 2009, I took my first steps south from Abisko and began my first journey along the Kungsleden. Winter had arrived early that year, with snow flurries sweeping across golden birch forests and dusting the mountain peaks. It was cold, stormy, and for ten days I saw barely a few hours of sunshine. Yet each evening, gathered around the warmth of the mountain huts, I listened to stories from hikers who had returned to the north year after year. Before I had even finished the trail, I already knew I would come back.

Stretching 440 km through the mountains of Swedish Lapland, the Kungsleden (King’s Trail) is one of Europe’s great long-distance hikes. Most visitors hike the famous northern section between Abisko and Nikkaluokta, with its dramatic alpine valleys and easy access from Kiruna. Yet far fewer continue south, beyond Kvikkjokk, where the trail grows quieter and enters vast stretches of wilderness.

This guide combines the practical knowledge needed to plan and complete the trail with the experience of nearly two decades hiking across northern Sweden. Covering the entire route from Abisko to Hemavan, it includes transport logistics, hut information, lake crossings, route descriptions, resupply advice, camping tips, and photography to help inspire your own adventure.

Whether you are planning a short section hike or a full journey across the Kungsleden, hopefully these pages will convince you that this is a trail worth experiencing.

Updated for 2026

KUNGSLEDEN – THE KING’S TRAIL

Kungsleden is a complete hiking guide to Sweden’s famous 440 km King’s Trail, covering the entire route from Abisko to Hemavan, including the popular northern hike from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. With detailed day-by-day route descriptions, transport information, hut logistics, lake crossings, camping advice, and gear recommendations, it contains everything needed to plan and complete the trail. Featuring hundreds of photographs throughout, the guide is designed to both prepare and inspire your own journey into the mountains of Swedish Lapland.

PDF eBook, 294 pages, 140 images, 150 MB download

Updated: Third edition, May 2026

$22

(+VAT in EU)

in the book

Kungsleden Overview

An introduction to the Kungsleden trail, in this chapter you’ll find a basic overview of the trail to help you choose when to go, which section of the trail, and which direction. Additionally, there is information about route difficulty and trail markings so you don’t get lost.

Swedish Outdoors

This chapter is an overview about hiking in Sweden, in particular, a basic overview of the STF mountain huts.

Travel Planning

Information for planning your journey to northern Sweden and when to go.

Equipping Yourself

A basic overview of the supplies and clothing you will need to safely hike in the mountains of Arctic Sweden.

Kungsleden Section 1a – Abisko to Nikkaluokta

The most popular section of the entire Kungsleden. Here you will find a day by day guide to this popular 105 km of trail taking you through stunning mountain landscapes.

Kungsleden Section 1b – Singi to Vakkotavare

South from Singi, the trail begins to grow quieter. This chapter is a day by day guide to this short section of trail for those continuing towards Kaitumjaure and beyond.

Kungsleden Section 2 – Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk

From the beauty of Saltoluokta, this section of trail takes you along the easter border of Sarek national park. From deep, dense forest to high mountain plateaus, this section of the trail has it all. Additionally, a short detour to Skiefe and Rapadale, one of Sweden’s best views is provided.

Kungsleden Section 3 – Kvikkjokk to Ammarnäs

South from Kvikkjokk the trail grows quiet as you hike through vast areas of wilderness where carrying a tent is required.

Kungsleden Section 4 – Ammarnäs to Hemavan

The STF huts return again at regular intervals for the short, but varied, and scenic last section of the trail before finishing in Hemavan.

sample pages

The Risk Is On Me

While I think this ebook is perhaps the next best thing to having your own personal travel guide, it’s not up for me to decide. If, in the unlikely situation, you are not 100% satisfied with this product, I offer a 30 day money back guarantee. No questions asked.

Spread The Word…

If you like what you’ve found here at 68 North, please spread the word to your friends, family, grandma, Facebook, Twitter, wherever. No one pays me any money to do this, it is solely about sharing my enthusiasm for the Scandinavian outdoors with you. It is only with you support that I can continue keep this site running. Thanks, Danke, Takk, Merci, Gracias, Dziekuje…

Buying the Book

Payment is made with PayPal/Stripe. Once clicking the buy button, you will be redirected to PayPal for the purchase.

If you do not have a PayPal account, you can still make payment via PayPal using a credit card.

After purchasing the book, you will receive 2 automated emails from me: 1 – Confirmation of your order. 2 – Download link for the ebook

Both emails should appear within a few minutes, though may take up to 30 minutes.

The download link is valid for 1 week after purchase, and up to 7 download attempts.

The ebook files are large, and may take some time to download, even if appears nothing is happening. Click the link once and wait a minute or two for the file to download. note: some public wifi networks (airports and hotels) have size/speed restrictions on large downloads, which may cause issues.

IMPORTANT: Order emails are sent to your default PayPal address – this may not be the email address you currently use, but an original one you setup your account with.

If you do not receive a download link: First, check your spam mail folder, this is the most likely scenario. Next, check any old email address you might have used for PayPal, even if you have mail forwarding setup, things sometimes get stuck. If you still don’t see anything, CONTACT ME with your order info and I will send you your download information. Please note, I am not always online and might be in the mountains for some days, so it can potentially take some time for me to reply. If you have not received a reply from me in a timely manner, send me a message via Instagram, as perhaps our emails have issue with each other.