
Sweden
Sweden - Trekking on the Kungsleden trail in Lapland
Sweden - Trekking on the Kungsleden trail in Lapland
Duration
7 days
Start/End
pipe
Tour type
Group
Level
Demanding
Accommodation
Guesthouse, mountain hut
Overview
The section from Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk is one of the most beautiful on the Kungsleden and passes partly through Sarek National Park, Europe's last wilderness. For five days you hike through ancient birch forest and plateaus with reindeer herds, climb Skierfe with views into the Rapa delta and experience the silence of Lapland.
The Kungsleden trail in northern Sweden is one of Europe's most famous long-distance hiking trails and a true "must-do" for all hiking enthusiasts. The section from Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk is among the most beautiful parts of the Kungsleden. It leads you partly through the area of the renowned Sarek National Park, also known as Europe's last true wilderness. For five days, you'll immerse yourself in a unique world of snow-capped peaks, icy glaciers, vast lakes, and rushing rivers – experiencing a tranquility that can only be found far from civilization. All of Scandinavia's wild animals live in this wilderness: moose, reindeer, brown bears, wolverines, golden eagles, ospreys, and many more. You can encounter numerous moose, especially in the Rapadalen valley, and brown bears, the shy inhabitants of this region, occasionally stray here as well. Large herds of reindeer roam the high valleys you'll hike through. With a bit of luck, you might be able to observe and perhaps even photograph some animals.
Tour Code
Tour language
GermanItinerary
Day 1
Individual arrival in Sweden
Guesthouse, dinner
You travel independently to Sweden, where you will be picked up either at Luleå Airport or at the train station in Älvsbyn and taken to the guesthouse. There, your tour guide will warmly welcome you – welcome to Lapland! During a preparatory meeting, you will learn everything you need to know about the upcoming hiking tour, and together you will check that your personal equipment is complete. You will carry everything you need for the next few days in your trekking backpack – after all, you will be hiking in the wilderness for the next few days. Good preparation is therefore essential. You will end your first evening in Lapland with a relaxing dinner together.
Individual arrival in Sweden
Day 1
Guesthouse, dinner
You travel independently to Sweden, where you will be picked up either at Luleå Airport or at the train station in Älvsbyn and taken to the guesthouse. There, your tour guide will warmly welcome you – welcome to Lapland! During a preparatory meeting, you will learn everything you need to know about the upcoming hiking tour, and together you will check that your personal equipment is complete. You will carry everything you need for the next few days in your trekking backpack – after all, you will be hiking in the wilderness for the next few days. Good preparation is therefore essential. You will end your first evening in Lapland with a relaxing dinner together.
Day 2
Kungsleden hike: Birch primeval forest and high plateau
Mountain hut, full board
approx. 20 km, ascent: 370 m, descent: 360 m
The Kungsleden trail is calling – your adventure begins! After breakfast, you'll travel to Kebnats and take the ferry to Saltoluokta, the starting point of your hike. From the mountain station, you'll step directly into nature – the trail leads you uphill through a light forest of birch and old pine trees. After a short climb, you'll reach the treeless plateau, where you'll immediately feel the vastness, silence, and wildness of the landscape. You hike through an ancient landscape, shaped by the glaciers of the last Ice Age – rugged, impressive, and vast. Soon you'll see Lake Sitojaure in the distance, where your first overnight hut is located. Beyond it rise the imposing mountain ranges of Sarek National Park – their peaks almost always covered in snow. After crossing the plain, you descend slightly towards the lake, where your hut awaits. Once there, you settle in – surrounded by the silence of the wilderness.
Kungsleden hike: Birch primeval forest and high plateau
Day 2
Mountain hut, full board
approx. 20 km, ascent: 370 m, descent: 360 m
The Kungsleden trail is calling – your adventure begins! After breakfast, you'll travel to Kebnats and take the ferry to Saltoluokta, the starting point of your hike. From the mountain station, you'll step directly into nature – the trail leads you uphill through a light forest of birch and old pine trees. After a short climb, you'll reach the treeless plateau, where you'll immediately feel the vastness, silence, and wildness of the landscape. You hike through an ancient landscape, shaped by the glaciers of the last Ice Age – rugged, impressive, and vast. Soon you'll see Lake Sitojaure in the distance, where your first overnight hut is located. Beyond it rise the imposing mountain ranges of Sarek National Park – their peaks almost always covered in snow. After crossing the plain, you descend slightly towards the lake, where your hut awaits. Once there, you settle in – surrounded by the silence of the wilderness.
Day 3
Kungsleden hike: Plateau and reindeer herds
Mountain hut, full board
Approx. 10 km, ascent: 300 m, descent: 300 m
After a leisurely breakfast, you fuel up for the day before packing your gear. A motorboat takes you across Lake Sitojaure – a roughly 4-kilometer journey across the water before you continue on foot. Today's leg, at about 10 kilometers, is the shortest of the tour, giving you plenty of time to fully appreciate nature. You might find some berries or mushrooms along the way, and with a bit of luck, you could spot some wildlife. The trail then leads you up to a plateau – after a short climb, you reach the area above the tree line. The view from up there is breathtaking and seems endless, interrupted only by the partially snow-capped peaks of the surrounding mountains. It's not uncommon to see herds of reindeer grazing in the vast fells. Before you descend to your next cabin, the striking Skierfe mountain appears on the horizon, as does the impressive Rapa Delta – a captivating sight that will leave a lasting impression. With this panoramic view behind you, the trail descends into the forest to the cabin in Aktse, where you'll stay for two nights. Here you'll find not only a small shop, but also a rustic, wood-fired sauna – perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking.
Kungsleden hike: Plateau and reindeer herds
Day 3
Mountain hut, full board
Approx. 10 km, ascent: 300 m, descent: 300 m
After a leisurely breakfast, you fuel up for the day before packing your gear. A motorboat takes you across Lake Sitojaure – a roughly 4-kilometer journey across the water before you continue on foot. Today's leg, at about 10 kilometers, is the shortest of the tour, giving you plenty of time to fully appreciate nature. You might find some berries or mushrooms along the way, and with a bit of luck, you could spot some wildlife. The trail then leads you up to a plateau – after a short climb, you reach the area above the tree line. The view from up there is breathtaking and seems endless, interrupted only by the partially snow-capped peaks of the surrounding mountains. It's not uncommon to see herds of reindeer grazing in the vast fells. Before you descend to your next cabin, the striking Skierfe mountain appears on the horizon, as does the impressive Rapa Delta – a captivating sight that will leave a lasting impression. With this panoramic view behind you, the trail descends into the forest to the cabin in Aktse, where you'll stay for two nights. Here you'll find not only a small shop, but also a rustic, wood-fired sauna – perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking.
Day 4
Kungsleden hike: Day hike to the Skierfe
Mountain hut, full board
Approx. 15 km, ascent: 800 m, descent: 800 m
Today a very special highlight awaits you: the ascent of Skierfe – optional, but absolutely worthwhile. With light daypacks, you'll set off. A short climb leads you to the plateau, from where the path ascends gently but steadily towards the summit. Shortly before reaching the top, the trail becomes a bit steeper again – but the view that awaits you at the top is worth every effort. From Skierfe, whose impressive west face drops almost vertically for around 700 meters, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view over the vast Rapa Delta, the Rapaädno River, and the surrounding mountains and glaciers of Sarek National Park. The striking Mount Nammasj rises from the middle of the river like a rock in the surf, and opposite you'll see the imposing wall of Tjakkeli – a scene you won't soon forget. You're standing here in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laponia – a truly magical place. Afterwards, you'll return along the same path and descend back to the hut in Aktse. In the evening you can relax in the wood-fired sauna or treat yourself to a cold beer and some snacks in the small shop – a perfect end to this unforgettable day.
Kungsleden hike: Day hike to the Skierfe
Day 4
Mountain hut, full board
Approx. 15 km, ascent: 800 m, descent: 800 m
Today a very special highlight awaits you: the ascent of Skierfe – optional, but absolutely worthwhile. With light daypacks, you'll set off. A short climb leads you to the plateau, from where the path ascends gently but steadily towards the summit. Shortly before reaching the top, the trail becomes a bit steeper again – but the view that awaits you at the top is worth every effort. From Skierfe, whose impressive west face drops almost vertically for around 700 meters, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view over the vast Rapa Delta, the Rapaädno River, and the surrounding mountains and glaciers of Sarek National Park. The striking Mount Nammasj rises from the middle of the river like a rock in the surf, and opposite you'll see the imposing wall of Tjakkeli – a scene you won't soon forget. You're standing here in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laponia – a truly magical place. Afterwards, you'll return along the same path and descend back to the hut in Aktse. In the evening you can relax in the wood-fired sauna or treat yourself to a cold beer and some snacks in the small shop – a perfect end to this unforgettable day.
Day 5
Kungsleden Hike: Rapa Delta, Mountains and Glaciers
Mountain hut, full board
approx. 20 km, ascent: 380 m, descent: 340 m
After breakfast, it's back on the water – the motorboat is already waiting. You hike a short distance to the boat landing, where you'll be taken across the lake, which you would otherwise have to cross by rowboat. During the crossing, you can once again admire the impressive Rapa Delta and the steep rock face of Skierfe – this time from a completely new perspective. Once on the other side, the path leads you uphill through a pristine mixed forest of birch and conifers. You soon reach a plateau with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, tranquil lakes, and endless forests. You cross rushing mountain streams several times – easily done thanks to small wooden bridges. Gradually, the path descends again until you reach the cabin in Pårte. It's idyllically situated on a small peninsula in the middle of the forest – the perfect place for your last night in the mountains.
Kungsleden Hike: Rapa Delta, Mountains and Glaciers
Day 5
Mountain hut, full board
approx. 20 km, ascent: 380 m, descent: 340 m
After breakfast, it's back on the water – the motorboat is already waiting. You hike a short distance to the boat landing, where you'll be taken across the lake, which you would otherwise have to cross by rowboat. During the crossing, you can once again admire the impressive Rapa Delta and the steep rock face of Skierfe – this time from a completely new perspective. Once on the other side, the path leads you uphill through a pristine mixed forest of birch and conifers. You soon reach a plateau with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, tranquil lakes, and endless forests. You cross rushing mountain streams several times – easily done thanks to small wooden bridges. Gradually, the path descends again until you reach the cabin in Pårte. It's idyllically situated on a small peninsula in the middle of the forest – the perfect place for your last night in the mountains.
Day 6
Kungsleden hike: Rivers and Swedish forest areas
Mountain hut, full board
approx. 17 km, ascent: 100 m, descent: 250 m
Today marks the final stage of your hike. The trail leads you first through a wooded valley carved by rivers. After a short climb, you'll follow a path through a pristine, typical North Swedish forest. You'll pass numerous idyllic lakes, adding to the charm of the route. From here, you can already admire the impressive mountains of Padjelanta National Park in the distance. In the afternoon, you'll reach Kvikkjokk – a tiny village with just 10 to 15 inhabitants. Formerly, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Kvikkjokk was an important center during the silver mining era. Today, it's a quiet, secluded spot at the end of the road – and a popular starting point for excursions into Sarek or Padjelanta National Parks. Here, you'll be picked up and taken back to the guesthouse for your final night. You will celebrate the end of this impressive journey together with your group at a cozy dinner.
Kungsleden hike: Rivers and Swedish forest areas
Day 6
Mountain hut, full board
approx. 17 km, ascent: 100 m, descent: 250 m
Today marks the final stage of your hike. The trail leads you first through a wooded valley carved by rivers. After a short climb, you'll follow a path through a pristine, typical North Swedish forest. You'll pass numerous idyllic lakes, adding to the charm of the route. From here, you can already admire the impressive mountains of Padjelanta National Park in the distance. In the afternoon, you'll reach Kvikkjokk – a tiny village with just 10 to 15 inhabitants. Formerly, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Kvikkjokk was an important center during the silver mining era. Today, it's a quiet, secluded spot at the end of the road – and a popular starting point for excursions into Sarek or Padjelanta National Parks. Here, you'll be picked up and taken back to the guesthouse for your final night. You will celebrate the end of this impressive journey together with your group at a cozy dinner.
Day 7
take farewell
Breakfast
Your last day in Lapland has arrived. After breakfast, you will be transferred to either Luleå Airport or the train station in Älvsbyn. Your eventful days in Swedish Lapland are coming to an end. Individual departure or onward travel.
take farewell
Day 7
Breakfast
Your last day in Lapland has arrived. After breakfast, you will be transferred to either Luleå Airport or the train station in Älvsbyn. Your eventful days in Swedish Lapland are coming to an end. Individual departure or onward travel.
Services
What's included
Accommodation and meals as per program
Equipment: Sleeping bag liner, trekking poles
Boat crossings with a motorboat
What's not included
Individual travel to and from the destination (we are happy to put together a suitable offer)
Travel insurance (we are happy to put together an individual offer)
personal equipment
Personal expenses, tips
Meals and drinks not mentioned
Optional excursions and activities
Character of the trip
Fitness
Demanding
Altitude
Gentle
Culture / nature
Pure nature
Good physical condition, sure-footedness, team spirit, helpfulness, and a willingness to forgo comfort are required. No prior experience is necessary. You should enjoy experiencing nature and be in good physical condition.
The focus is not on athletic performance, but on experiencing and relaxing in nature. The hike consists of daily stages of 10 to 20 km. Participants carry their own personal luggage and also bring a portion of their own food (approx. 3 kg).
Since we will be away for several days, all participants are naturally expected to help with daily tasks such as cooking, making fires, and chopping wood. Teamwork is very important.
Dates and prices
Group dates
Notes on the trip
Program adjustments depending on weather conditions
The safety of our participants is our top priority on our active tours. Weather conditions such as strong winds, fog, continuous rain or snowfall, as well as other unforeseen circumstances, may affect the execution of the planned route. In such cases, our experienced local guide will react flexibly and adjust the route or program accordingly to ensure the safety of everyone involved. These decisions are always made in the best interests of all participants, so that the tour remains safe and as enjoyable as possible. Any claims for compensation are excluded in such cases.
Arrival
The nearest airport for your arrival is Luleå. A particularly beautiful and environmentally friendly alternative is the overnight train journey from Stockholm to Älvsbyn – especially in summer when the midnight sun bathes the landscape in a magical light. With a bit of luck, you might even spot moose or reindeer along the way. The best way to get started is to fly to Stockholm the day before your tour begins and board the overnight train to Älvsbyn directly from Stockholm-Arlanda Airport in the evening – a comfortable, direct journey right into the heart of Swedish Lapland. On the train, you can choose between seats and sleeper berths: there are 6-berth compartments (either mixed or gender-segregated) or private compartments. A restaurant car and a wake-up service are available on board. You can find more information and booking options at www.sj.se. Please ensure you arrive by 7:00 pm on the first day of your tour, as we will be giving a short equipment briefing, discussing the hike's itinerary, and checking your personal gear that evening. This is how you can start your Lapland adventure well prepared!
Mountain huts
The cozy mountain huts where you'll stay during the tour are run by the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) and offer everything you need for a break in the wilderness. They are simply but functionally equipped – with a kitchen, cookware, a drying room, sleeping quarters with bunk beds (or similar sleeping accommodations), and toilets. Duvets and pillows are provided, and you'll be given a sleeping bag liner for your stay. Some huts even have a sauna – perfect for relaxing after a long day of hiking. However, you won't find electricity or showers. Instead, wonderfully natural "spa areas" await you – on the shore of a lake or by a babbling brook, you can refresh yourself and become one with nature. You'll spend the evenings cozily in the hut, enjoying good food and the crackling of a fire – true cabin life, just as it should be.
Further information
The Kungsleden – the so-called "King's Trail" – is one of the world's most famous and impressive long-distance hiking trails and a must for anyone who loves unspoiled nature. The section between Saltoluokta and Kvikkjokk is considered particularly beautiful, leading you through a silent, breathtaking mountain landscape, partly right into the heart of Sarek National Park, often described as the last true wilderness in Europe. Away from the tourist crowds, you can enjoy a solitude rarely found these days – no noise, no distractions, just you and nature. The entire Kungsleden stretches for more than 450 kilometers – from Hemavan in southern Swedish Lapland all the way up to Abisko near the Norwegian border. According to National Geographic, it ranks among the top 10 long-distance hiking trails worldwide. Along the way, you'll traverse several protected natural areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laponia, and even pass by Sweden's highest mountain – Kebnekaise. The Kungsleden trail is well-marked – with cairns or red crosses, and in winter, wooden poles are added to guide hikers crossing lakes. Navigation is easy, even in remote sections, thanks to the mountain maps (e.g., from Calazo Verlag). Despite this infrastructure, you'll experience a level of wildness and tranquility that has become rare in Europe – especially outside of peak season when you're almost completely alone. Then you'll have to be self-sufficient – a challenge many seek for precisely this reason. Among the most popular sections, besides Saltoluokta–Kvikkjokk, are Abisko–Nikkaluokta, at the foot of the mighty Kebnekaise massif. The view from Mount Skierfe across the vast Rapa Delta is unforgettable – a true natural wonder. Abisko itself is even considered by Lonely Planet to be one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights – the clear air and frequently cloudless weather make it possible. Many of our guests have already been captivated by this magical spectacle in the sky. And it's not just the Kungsleden that offers spectacular nature experiences: we also accompany you off the beaten track to remote regions such as Sarek National Park, the Padjelanta Trail, the Kebnekaise Massif, or the vast Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve. All these areas lie above the Arctic Circle – you'll experience bright, long summer days and starry autumn nights, where the Northern Lights dance above your cabin. A true adventure in Lapland's breathtaking wilderness.
Notice
We also offer this tour with an overnight stay in a tent.
