Duration
~7 hours
Distance
20 km
Elevation gain
400 m
Difficulty
Wilderness trek
Valley high point
850 m
The King's Trail
The Kungsleden is the great long distance trail of Swedish Lapland, and its northern start at Abisko is the most walked stretch. The path runs through Arctic birch forest and open tundra along a wide glacial valley, with mountain huts spaced a day apart and lakes you can cross by rowing boat. In late summer the tundra turns red and gold, and in winter the same valley lies under the northern lights.
Abisko is reached by the Arctic train line from Kiruna. The Swedish hut system means you carry food but not a tent if you plan around the cabins.
This is genuine subarctic wilderness with fast changing weather and few exits. Carry warm and waterproof layers even in midsummer.
