THE KING’S TRAIL () – BY FOOT AND ON SKIS Peter Rosén Peter The eight faces of paradise It’s been occasionally referred to as Thanks to STF and the King’s Trail blaze. You can travel by foot on well- Håkan Hjort bosselind.com Europe’s last wilderness, the mountain (Kungsleden) the innermost part of worn trails, sometimes with a break range stretching from Lapland down Lapland has been available to every- for a boat ride over a mountain lake. to Dalarna. If anything deserves to be one for over one hundred years. Skis apply if you choose the winter called ’s own paradise, it is this To make it easier, we have chosen two season. In February and most of March, majestic mountain world. New views periods for you, when summer and the snow temperatures are cold for ski and natural experiences are constantly winter along the King’s Trail are the waxing and the days quickly become emerging here. Large areas are protected absolute best: from June to September longer and brighter. Late winter – and have been designated as nature and from February to April. early spring brings crusty snow and reserves, national parks, and even world During the summer season, the long, sunny days. Håkan Hjort heritage sites. mountain nature of colours, scents, Let us at STF take you to this Life in Lapland has many faces. sounds and movement vibrate. It is paradise. By foot or on skis. We The Sámi people, who have lived and essentially daylight all day and north promise that you’ll take part in many worked here for thousands of years, of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun exciting and inspirational encounters. estimate that there are eight seasons shines brightly for several months. In Regardless of which season you choose. up here. September, the autumn colours are a

Lapland – another country within

Håkan Hjort Sweden’s borders

Sweden has 11 peaks over 2,000 metres. and Muddus, the nature reserves Sjauna Of course, wildlife takes it easy during And you will find all in Lapland. and Stubba, parts of -Kabla, the winter, but some species change There is even a series of the country’s and Sulitelma and the Rapadalen over to their white winter colours and most spectacular valleys here. Together, Valley delta are included. work as usual. Arctic fox, hare and they form an exceptional, varying ptarmigan are some examples. It is not nature with everything from lush THE BIG FOUR uncommon for skiers to see wolverine mountain forests down in the valleys Just like the paradise described in and lynx tracks. to almost barren environments and poetry, Lapland is a sanctuary for wild- glaciers up on the bare mountain life. For those who know what to look GET TO KNOW SÁMI LIFE www.matsalmlof.se Håkan Hjort Håkan Hjort region. In the summer, the mountain for, you can find tracks from the big Reindeer breeding and the Sámi culture valleys can be pure jungles in spots, four of Swedish fauna – lynx, wolve- are very much alive along the King’s with both alpine blue sow-thistle and rine, bear and possibly wolf. Perhaps Trail. During the summer in parti- angelica as tall as a person. Trailing even see one of them up close. cular, you can meet the Sámi people azalea, alpine gentian, moss campion Up here, you also have the chance and their reindeer in the mountains. and mountain avens are happy on the to view golden eagle, gyrfalcon, Avoid disturbing grazing reindeer and mountain moors. Higher up on the peregrine falcon, long-tailed skua, please keep dogs leashed. If you bare mountain region, you can be ptarmigan, eurasian golden plover, would like to know more about Sámi lucky to see the glacier crowfoot, the bluethroat, snow bunting and many history, language, culture and today’s number one survivor of Swedish flora. other birds. Approximately half of reindeer breeding, we recommend The UN organization, UNESCO, the country’s 400 bird species have that you visit the Swedish mountain has elevated part of Lapland to the been sighted in Lapland. and Sámi museum Ajtte in . status of World Heritage Site under Another common sight is the king You can also visit www.samer.se the name Laponia, where the national of Swedish nature, elk, not the least in parks Stora Sjöfallet, Padjelanta, Sarek the Tarradalen and Rapadalen Valleys. Håkan Hjort STF Abisko Mountain Station Address 981 07 Abisko, Sweden. E-mail [email protected] Website www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/abisko Phone +46 (0) 980-550 00. Season The mountain station is open year-round. Accommodation There are 300 beds, from which you can choose between different forms of accommodation. Single and double rooms with shower and WC. 2- and 4-bed rooms with shower and WC in the corridor. Cottage apart­- ments for 2–6 people with shower and WC. Food KRAV eco-labeled breakfast, lunch and the evening’s supper with the appropriate wine package added on. Après Ski in Storstugan during the winter or a beer in the light of the midnight sun during the summer. Service Trip leader, shop, mountain equipment rental, sauna and self-catering. Activities The summertime offers guided tours to our favourite locations, courses in, among others, digital photography, watercolour painting, and mountain birds. Midnight sun tours with the chairlift on Nuolja. The winter offers week-long courses in telemark skiing and avalanche training, ice climbing, snow­ mobile tours, day tours and off-piste skiing on Nuolja, touring and cross-country skiing. Abisko is possibly the world’s best place to see Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Håkan Hjort Experience Abisko National Park with us! Getting there Daily train connections from Stockholm, Göteborg and to our own train station Abisko Turist. Fly to Kiruna and ABISKO TURISTSTATION then take a bus to Abisko (always verify the Abiskojaure bus times when you book you flight). Road is Alesjaure the European Route E10. Tjäktja Sälka KIRUNA STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station

Singi Nikkaluokta KEBNEKAISE Kaitumjaure Address 981 99 Kiruna, Sweden. FJÄLLSTATION Teusajaure E-mail [email protected] Vakkotavare SALTOLUOKTA Website FJÄLLSTATION GÄLLIVARE www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/kebnekaise Sitojaure

Aktse Phone +46 (0) 980 550 00.

Pårte Season Mid-February to the beginning of May,

KVIKKJOKK JOKKMOKK mid-June to mid-September. FJÄLLSTATION Accommodation 2- or 4-bed rooms or an alcove in the room with extra beds. Shower and WC in the corridor. Single rooms available. 196 beds. Tärnasjö Serve AMMARNÄS/WÄRDSHUSET Viterskalet Food The restaurant Giebme serves breakfast, Syter Aigert HEMAVAN lunch, supper and à la carte with Lapland speci- SORSELE Suggested tours TÄRNABY/ÅKERLUNDSKA GÅRDEN alties, Swedish home fare, and newly baked 20 km bread from our own bakery. Fully licensed.

Doug McKinley Service Shop, bakery, rental of certain mountain equipment, trip leader, sauna and self-catering. Activities The summertime offers high alpine courses, climbing instruction, guided tours to Facts Abisko – Nikkaluokta Sweden’s highest peak, glacier walking, floral ABISKO TO NIKKALUOKTA picturesque alternative via the moun- this unforgettably beautiful surroun- foot or on skis. In the summer, shorten tours, and theme weeks. Other things worth Mountain map BD6 The train stops right in front of Abisko tain huts in Vistas and Nallo. Here, ding. The hut custodians along the the trip 5 km by taking the boat over seeing are the giant caves in Ladtjojåkka, the Length 105 km Silver Falls in the Singi Valley, Kitteldalen Valley Mountain Station and the northern the mountains rise sharply up from King’s Trail will gladly inform you of Days 5–7 Ladjojaure Lake. After some good food and Tarfala. The wintertime offers courses in Number of huts 5 on the King’s Trail starting point for the King’s Trail. On the valley and the tour interchanges their best spots. When you reach the and a nice sauna, it’s time to continue high alpine ski touring, ice climbing, and guided (Kungs­leden) and 7 adjacent the way to the mountain lodge at between mountain birch forest and huts at Singi, continue southwards to in between the mountains to Singi. ski tours in the valley or at altitude. For good Provisions Abisko, Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, off-piste skiers, many metres of vertical drop Abiskojaure Lake the journey initially bare mountain region. The terrain Vakkotavare or turn off towards the Kebnekaise, Sälka, Vistas, Unna Allakas There, you enter into the King’s Trail await in Jökelbäcken, on the Storglaciären or becomes more barren if you hike the Kebnekaise Mountain Station to then Sauna Abisko, Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, – with Abisko to the north or Saltolu- goes through a birch forest in Abisko Hydrologrännan. Ski tourers will find trails in Kebnekaise, Sälka National Park that is abundant in game. King’s Trail towards the huts at Tjäktja. go to Kiruna via the bus in Nikkalu- okta to the south. The latter will the Tarfala Valley or towards the Singi huts. Lapporten, one the mountain When you reach the Tjäkta Pass, okta. Of course, you can choose the initially take you through the beautiful Getting there Train/fly to Kiruna. Bus to world’s most famous silhouettes, the highest point along the King’s Trail, opposite direction and walk from NIKKALUOKTA TO SALTOLUOKTA Tjäktjavagge Valley. The lakes Kaitum- Nikkaluokta, then hike/ski 19 km. Possible VIA KEBNEKAISE boat transport 5 km in the summer or snow- watches over you during your hike. one of the mountain world’s greatest Nikkaluokta to Abisko. jaure and Teusajaure have nice huts mobile/tracked vehicle in the winter. During certain times of the summer experiences awaits. Forty kilometres of This tour begins in Nikkaluokta, where with good fishing. you can take a boat across the Alesjaure magnificent views over the Tjäktavagge you can easily get to by bus after a train As you approach the Vakkotavare

Lake. From the Alesjaure hut, continue Valley. By all means, stay an extra day or flight to Kiruna. Then, it’s 19 km up mountain hut, magnificent views south on the King’s Trail or choose a very in the Sälka huts and do a day tour in to Kebnekaise Mountain Station, by into Sarek open up. You can relax the STF Saltoluokta Mountain Station delta with exciting canals and lagoons. Address 982 99 Gällivare, Sweden. Possibility for canoe paddling and guided delta E-mail [email protected] tours. A natural starting point for single-handed Website tours, longer or shorter, along the Kings Trail, www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/saltoluokta Padjelanta Trail and Nordkalott Trail, as well as Phone +46 (0) 980-550 00. national parks such as Sarek and Padjelanta. Season March–April, mid-June to Getting there Train to Murjek or fly to Gällivare, mid-September. alternatively to Luleå.. Bus via Jokkmokk to Accommodation Main building and four guest-­ Kvikkjokk. houses with a total of 100 beds. Double rooms, 4-bed rooms and rooms with extra beds. STF Hostel Ammarnäs/Wärdshuset Some double rooms with shower/WC. Address Box 9, 920 75 Ammarnäs, Sweden. Other rooms have shower and WC in the E-mail [email protected] corridor/service house. Website www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/ Food The mountain world’s coziest restaurant ammarnaswardshuset serves breakfast, lunch and supper. Here, you Phone +46 (0) 952 600 45. can eat game fish from Langas Lake, wild Season Open all year around. game from the mountains and berries from Room types 48 beds. 2–4-bed rooms. Lapland’s pantry. Fully licensed. Service Breakfast, restaurant and self-catering. Service Shop, mountain equipment rental, trip Getting there Fly to Umeå or Lycksele, then leaders, sauna and self-service accommodation. take the bus or train to Umeå and from there Activities Guided wilderness tours, midnight sun you take the bus. and boat tours along the long valley of the , fishing, family-friendly with several theme STF Hostel Hemavan weeks, and ecotourism certified theme weeks, Address Renstigen 1, 920 66 Hemavan, food and folk music weeks. Sweden. Getting there Train/fly to Gällivare. Buses E-mail [email protected] depart daily Gällivare–Kebnats. Ski the last Website www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/ 3 km on the ice trail or take a 10 min boat trip hemavan during the summer. Phone +46 (0) 954 300 02. Season Open all year around. STF Kvikkjokk Mountain Station Room types 173 beds. 2–4-bed rooms. Address 962 02 Kvikkjokk, Sweden. Service Restaurant and self-service E-mail [email protected] accommodation. Website Getting there There are daily flights to Hemavan. www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/kvikkjokk Phone +46 (0) 971 210 22. STF Hotel Tärnaby Season Mid February until the beginning of Address Östra strandvägen 16, 920 64 May, mid June until the end of September. Tärnaby, Sweden. Accommodation 2- and 4-bed rooms, all with E-mail [email protected] wash basin. Shower, WC, drying room in the Website www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/ corridor. 68 beds. tarnaby Food Breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner a la carte. Phone +46 (0) 954 104 20. Café and bar. Fully licensed. Season Open all year around. Service Shop, hire of certain mountain and Room types 76 beds. 2–4-bed rooms. canoeing equipment. Sauna and self-service is Service Breakfast and coffee. at your disposal. Getting there Train/fly to Umeå, bus to Activities Kvikkjokk lies near a unique two-river Tärnaby. Fly/bus directly to Hemavan. Håkan Hjort legs a little on the bus between huts Provisions Kaitumjaure, Kebnekaise, The Aktse homestead and STF’s moun- peak Sluggas in your sights. Your alternatives not operated by STF. in Vakkotavare and Kebnatsbryggan. Saltoluokta, Vakkotavare tain hut are located on the other beach, dream goal gradually appears – Saltolu- The first stage to Jäkkvik is ca. 74 km Sauna Kebnekaise, Saltoluokta, Teusajaure Boat or skis over Langas Lake to the known as the centre for trips into Sarek. okta Mountain Station, with sauna and long. Stage two from Jäkkvik to Håkan Hjort Saltoluokta Mountain Station are all KVIKKJOKK TO SALTOLUOKTA Here, meadows still battle scythe. Stay very good food. Ammarnäs is ca. 83 km and passes that remain, where a reward in the form This stage can begin with an over- an extra day and climb Skierfe, the Pieljekaise National Park. Facts Kvikkjokk – Saltoluokta of a well-earned sauna and exquisite night at Kvikkjokk Mountain Station, mountain with its magnificent view over You can take the bus from Mountain map BD10 food await. followed by walk into an ancient the delta of the Rapadalen Valley. Far Length 73 km Skellefteå to get to Jäkkvik. For Many believe that the route between mountain forest the next morning. into Sarek, you can get a feeling for the Days 4–6 other information, contact the Nikkaluokta and Saltoluokta is the Be on the lookout for the male caper­- place with the breathtaking name Number of huts 3 Tourist Bureau in Arjeplog by tele­ Provisions Aktse, Kvikkjokk, Saltoluokta most beautiful of the entire King’s Trail. caillie! Pårte hut offers access to good Rovdjurstorget (Predator Square). Sauna Kvikkjokk, Saltoluokta phone +46 (0) 961 145 20 or their You move over vast mountain moors fishing in both streams and lakes. The From Aktse, you hike steeply up website www.arjeplog.se and down into deep long valleys. The journey continues on a traverse along above the treeline where the peaks of KVIKKJOKK TO AMMARNÄS stages are short and the hut locations Rittakdalen Valley. Take a breather a Sarek tower in the West and the view This stage is designed for you who want Facts Kvikkjokk – Ammarnäs little higher up on the bare mountain a true wilderness experience with Mountain map BD14, BD16 stunningly located. over the lowland fells to the East goes Length 157 km region and aim your binoculars down on for miles. After a boat tour, you grandiose views, exciting places and a Days 7–10 Facts Kebnekaise – Saltoluokta towards the edge of the forest, where reach STF’s mountain hut on the handful of other hikers. With the lack Number of huts 0 Mountain map BD8 elk and other game can appear out of northern beach of Sitojaure Lake. of an extensive mountain hut system Provisions Kvikkjokk, Jäkkvik, Adolfström Length 52 km (then bus from Vakkotavare and Ammarnäs to Kebnatsbryggan/Saltoluokta) nowhere. As you approach Laitaure Continue over the Ultevis moor, where along the way, you need to take your Sauna Kvikkjokk, Ammarnäs Days 4–6 Lake, the mountains of Sarek rise in you have the canine tooth-like own tent. Still, there are simple over- Number of huts 4 all their splendour to the west. mountain Kierkaus and the sugar-like night huts and other accommodation Seasons on the King’s Trail Winter: end of February until April/May. Summer: Midsummer to mid-September. See STF’s website for exact opening periods. The King’s Trail STF’s pioneers began planning the trail already in the 1890s to make the mountain world of Starting and Lapland more accessible for tourists. A series of mountain huts were built at a day hike-distance from each other, connected by a marked trail. In 1926, the trail between Abisko-Kvikkjokk ending points was ready. Length 425 km from Abisko to Hemavan. Accommodation 16 places with STF mountain huts, 4 mountain stations and 2 hostels close to the mountains. Highest point Tjäktja pass 1,150 m.a.s.l. Lowest point Kvikkjokk 302 m.a.s.l. Week stages 5 of which 4 with STF mountain huts. Staying in a mountain hut Our mountain huts are located in naturally beautiful locations along the King’s Trail, a day’s hike from each other (10 to 20 km). The huts have self-service accommodation with simple and cosy standards. You cook your own food, get water, clean and chop wood. The kitchens have LPG (liquid petroleum gas) stoves, cooking utensils, plates, mugs and cutlery. There is no Erik Hjortsberg STFs Bildarkiv STFs electricity, and the huts are heated with wood or LPG. Of the 16 huts, 11 have shops with provisions. Hut custodians are onsite all season. Season Mid-February to the beginning of May, AMMARNÄS TO HEMAVAN scented bogs towards Tärnasjö far north as you can go in Sweden. The can start or end your tour on the King’s professional guide. With hiking boots Midsummer to mid-September. Accommodation Rooms with extra beds (often For some, their mountain tour begins Lake’s archipelago with seven bridges northernmost of our mountain stations Trail. Or stay and spoil yourself. Take in the summer and perhaps on skis 4 beds) with wide beds, mattresses, pillows, and in Ammarnäs and ends in Hemavan, – Vindelfjällens own Golden Gate. has its own train station. Abisko is well wonderful day tours by foot or on skis, a with climbing skins for unbeatable ski covers. You bring your own sheets/pillow cases. but it works just as well in the opposite You can also choose a boat ride over worth it, not the least when it concerns soothing sauna with a dip in Lake touring during the winter. Why not No pre-booking is done, but you are always direction, or do a shorter tour from welcome to stay. If it’s full, we can arrange a Tärnasjö Lake to shorten the trip to the magnificent nature. Torneträsk, followed by a delicious take a course in climbing, glacier mattress on the floor. both ends. Syter hut. Regardless of the season, you would supper in the beautiful dining room. walking or ridge traversing? At the Fee Cash on site or by advance payment on the The way from Ammarnäs to Aigert From Syter hut, you can climb be wise to take the chair lift up Mount A popular day tour is to also take Kebnekaise Mountain Station, you STF homepage. mountain lodge begins with a climb Syter Peak, which with its 1,768 metres Nuolja. Cloud-free summer nights offer the train to Narvik in Norway and decide which adventure you want to National parks through the birch forest. At the small above sea level is the highest peak in you front row seats to the midnight sun. breathe in a little Atlantic Ocean air. experience. In both summer and National parks are as fine a nature area can be. fish-rich lake on the bare mountain the county. A marked trail shows the The sun shines over white precipices winter, the distances between moun- Sweden has 29 national parks, but plans are underway to create more. Of these, eight are in region lies a hut, where you can relax way down to Viterskal hut. It is most on cloud-free winter days and Aurora KEBNEKAISE MOUNTAIN STATION tain nature and a comfortable bed Lapland and cover a surface area of almost by a wood heated sauna. You will common to follow the King’s Trail Borealis (Northern Lights) flashes The honourable title of Sweden’s are short, making it the perfect end 6,000 square kilometres! The most known parks, experience fantastic views from Aigert through the u-shaped Syterskal over an during clear winter nights. All of this highest mountain will be forever to your journey on the King’s Trail, Sarek, Padjelanta and Stora Sjöfallet, together with Muddus National Park and several nature to the Serve hut. Do a detour to Stor alpine landscape with easily hiked happens often, because Abisko is one consecrated to Kebnekaise. For the or start from Abisko or Saltoluokta reserves form what is called Laponia. You can Aigert – 1,100 metres above sea level heathland to Viterskal hut. Many of Sweden’s most sun-guaranteed and moment, the South Peak is highest, to Nikkaluokta. experience this unique nature on the King’s Trail – with a breathtaking view. In the birch consider the valley as the area’s major cloud-free places. but the peak is covered by a glacier, and Padjelanta Trail. The trails cross most of the forest down by Serve hut, see a national parks and there are overnight huts in asset. From Vitskal hut down to At 70 km long and stretching out meaning the its height varies. Rabots NIKKALUOKTA many places, with Sarek being exception, where majestic waterfall near the bridge over Hemavan, the view seems endless over in the north, Lake Torneträsk is blue and Björlings glaciers are reminiscent Nikkaluokta is a small mountain neither trails nor overnight huts are found. the Vouomentjukke Stream. Artfjället Mountains and Okstindarnas in the summer and white in the winter. of the Frenchman who climbed the village located at the end of the road, Sámi words From the Serve lodge the journey glaciers in Norway. The majestic mountain Lapporten mountain first and the Swede who ca. 70 km from Kiruna. Sámi settle- Terrain words can be spelled in many ways continues with an easy hike through dreams to the southeast. thought he was first. ments in the area have existed for depending on the dialect. heathland, above the treeline, towards Facts Ammarnäs – Hemavan The Abisko area has such a unique For 100 years, the Kebnekaise several thousands of years. But the bákti, pakte steep cliff cohkka, tjåkkå peak Tärnasjö Lake lodge where you walk Mountain map AC2 Length 78 km flora, fauna and geology that it has been Mountain Station has been the first permanent settlements in Nikka- eatnu, ätno river, stream through a park-like birch forest, a Days 5–7 protected as a national park since 1909. country’s alpine centre. Knowledge luokta were established at the begin- gálsi, kaise steep high mountain magnificent view over Tärnasjö Lake Number of huts 5 The wild canyon of the Abiskojokk and tradition are deeply rooted in ning of the 20th century. One of the jávri, jaure lake johka, jåkkå stream, creek and the impressive norra Storfjället. Provisions All huts. Aigert, Serve, River is something that never ceases to both the walls and personnel. Do day settlers was Nils Olsson Sarri with his Tärnasjö, Syter, Viterskalet, Ammarnäs luokta bay Enjoy a moment in the wood heated and Hemavan attract onlookers. Otherwise, a pleasant tours to Tarfala’s glaciers, the moon wife Maria. Of their 14 children, many vággi, vagge valley, u-shaped valley sauna and take a dip directly from the Sauna Aigert, Ammarnäs, Hemavan, Tärnasjö calm prevails here, only to be broken by landscape of the Kitteldalen valley or came to work within the village’s Midnight sun beach into the crystal clear water. a train loaded with iron ore to Narvik Tuolpagorni’s volcano shaped peak. dominating tourism industry. Today, Nuolja, Abisko 27/5–18/7 From Tärnasjö Lake hut, the trail ABISKO Mountain Station or snowboarders to Nuolja. Climb Kebnekaise’s long route on third and fourth generation Sarri have Kebnekaise’s pea 29/5–15/7 goes through birch forest between Lulep Kierkau, Saltoluokta 2/6–12/7 Abisko Mountain Station is located as At the Abisko Mountain Station, you your own or the harder route with a followed in their footsteps. Vallespiken, Kvikkjokk 4/6–9/7 Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) Previously, some thought that Aurora Borealis was large herring and codfish way out to sea that reflec- ted in the sky. But it is energy that is converted to light when the solar wind’s charged particles collide with atoms and molecules in the earth’s atmosphere. Abisko may very well be the best place in the world for watching the Aurora Borealis. www.auroraskystation.se

What should I take? You need neither extreme nor expensive equip- ment to be in the mountains. On our website, you will find tips about how to dress and what to bring. Should you be missing anything, most can be rented at our mountain stations, such as ski equipment, backpacks, rubber boots, rainwear, stoves and tents. If you choose to buy provisions in the mountain huts, your backpack during summer does not need to weigh more than about 10 kg.

How far should you walk? This is, of course, entirely dependent on experience and conditioning, but in particular, how fast you want to travel. A rule of thumb is about 3 km/hour.

Sweden’s highest mountains 1 Kebnekaise south top 2104* north top 2097 2 Sarektjåkkå 2089 3 Kaskasatjåkka 2076

4 Kaskasapakte 2043 5 Akka 2015 Makino bosselind.com Håkan Hjort 6 Pårtetjåkkå 2005 7 Palkattjåkkå 2002 *Measure 2003. The peak is a glacier that varies in height. The mountain reaches 2,070 m.a.s.l., the The mountain village is beautifully The World Heritage Site Laponia association’s very first trail was cleared The Vindelfjäll Mountains are the Mountain Nature Reserve begins. rest is ice. located. Three valleys intersect here, with Sarek, Padjelanta and Stora in 1887 on Sjnjierák Peak and Valles­ country’s richest area in reindeer. One of Europe’s largest protected Trails, bridges, lean-to and boat service of which one stretches out towards Sjöfallet National Parks opens up piken Peak and is today an unforgetta- Ammarnäs is the principal settlement nature areas. Naturum in Ammarnäs Lapland has over 2,000 km of marked trails. Winter Kebnekaise – Sweden’s highest outside your doors. A three-course ble day tour with a view over Sarek. in the Ran and Gran Sámi villages, has an exhibition about the geology, routes are in terrain marked with red crosses. Summer routes are clear paths marked with cairns mountain. From here, many mountain supper with specialities from Lapland Kvikkjokk Mountain Station is where there is a chapel and Sámi flora, fauna, climate and natural or colour markings. Rest spots are located here and hikers begin their 19 km walk to the waits for you after your outing, day tour privately operated in collaboration church town with numerous provision things worth seeing in the Vindelfjäll there between the mountain huts. STF offers boat Kebnekaise Mountain Station, which or hiking week. The kitchen in ‘Salto’ with STF and is very well situated for sheds. The village is also known for Mountains. service between Kebnats and Saltoluokta on Langas Lake, on the lakes Teusajaure and Akkajaure for can be shortened with a boat excursion. has made a point of almost exclusively summer and winter tours. If you the potato hill, a large moraine hill tours to Padjelanta. The lakes Alesjaure, Ladjojaure, Hikers also find their way up along the offering raw produce from the region. would like to hike with a light pack where ‘almond potatoes’ have been HEMAVAN Sitojaure, Laitaure, Tjulträsk and Tärnasjön have beautifully winding Vista Valley. In the The menu often has game fish from the and overnight in the mountain huts, farmed for at least 170 years. The Hemavan is situated along the valley private boat service. Rowboats are spreadout at the mountain village, you will find services lakes, wild game from the forests and choose the King’s Trail northward reindeer industry and tourism are the of the Ume River, which together lakes Teusajaure, Sitojaure and Laitaure. such as a restaurant, shop, accommoda- berries from bogs in the area. towards Saltoluokta, Kebnekaise and largest sources of income. with the Blue Road (E12) winds itself How are the mosquitoes? tion, helicopter station, chapel and In Saltoluokta, you also get very close Abisko. If you want to carry a tent Around Ammarnäs is some of the like a corridor through the Vindelfjäll In wetlands and birch forests, the mosquitoes can be annoying. Especially in July. Do like the reindeer gallery. During the regular season, there to the Sámi culture. One of the Sirges and provisions, walk south via Jäkkvik Vindelfjäll Mountains best fishing Mountain Nature Reserve. and get up to higher ground, where the wind is are daily bus connections from Nikka- Sámi village settlements is right next to towards Ammarnäs and Hemavan or sites, with char, salmon trout, grayling Besides the known winter landscape,­ cool. But don’t disturb the reindeer. Otherwise, luokta to Kiruna. For more informa- the mountain station, among others with westwards into Laponia and Sarek. and whitefish. Settlers who followed Hemavan offers delightful summer we can thank the mosquito because there are so tion: www.nikkaluokta.com a beautiful church tent. After hiking Here, you get the opportunity to the trade route towards Norway mountains. many birds, fish and other animals in the mountains. approximately 6 km, you also arrive at paddle in the Tarra River, an exciting previously used the Vindelälv River. Fishing for mainly char and salmon How is the weather? SALTOLUOKTA MOUNTAIN STATION Pietsaure Lake, where the Kuoljok experience as is looking out for Today, it is an exciting hiking trail that trout is naturally big, but even other There is a lot to the Swedish saying “There is no family welcome you with their tents. predatory animals in the Tarra Valley, is slightly off the beaten path from the activities in and around the water are bad weather, just bad clothing.” Rapid changes in At one end, the outposts of the Sarek weather and big differences in temperature are mountains rise in the haze, at the other Many guests think that Saltoluokta one of the mountains richest valleys more usual stages, offering terrific increasing. Canoes for nice paddling relatively normal in the mountains. It can be end, Langas Lake stretches out. In realises their dreams of the mountains. in wild game. experiences. tours or a boat for those who simply thawing in February and it can snow in June. For between lies Saltoluokta. An oasis of It is a few days journey westward In waiting for the ice to break up, want to take easy are here. the most part, the weather is rather stable during those periods when we are open, but always keep calm, pleasantness and comfort, where KVIKKJOKK MOUNTAIN STATION to Padjelanta National Park. At the huge numbers of birds are gathering in In Hemavan, there are also count- an eye on the weather and equip yourself with warmth, an atmosphere and good food Kvikkjokk is small mountain village at mountain station, you can receive a the Ammarnäs delta, offering easily less cycling possibilities. Every­thing warm clothing in your backpack during the rule. It’s only 3 km to the nearest road, the end of the road next to Saggat Lake, great amount of expert tips about accessible bird watching. from great cycling adventures to quiet summer. Read more at www.smhi.se but rather long to civilisation. To get where Kamajåkkå Stream and Tarra hiking trails and much more. The summer attracts many visitors tours presented with a map and tips. Snowmobile traffic here, you have to go by boat or skis River meet into a large delta. Much of to the Sámi weekend in June and a Up in the mountains, you can get there Large sections of the King’s Trail are within areas that ban snowmobile traffic. Moreover, additional over the lake in the last section. You STF’s oldest history is here, such as AMMARNÄS local festival in July. with the help of the summer chair lift, areas can also be included, on certain occasions. will definitely leave your everyday life when people thought that Sulitelma Ammarnäs is a mountain village the In Ammarnäs, where the main where even your bicycle can follow To find out what applies, go to website for the behind you. was Sweden’s highest mountain. The Vindelån and Tjulån valleys. road from Sorsele ends, the Vindelfjäll along. respective county. Norrbotten: www.lansstyrelsen.se/norrbotten Västerbotten: www.lansstyrelsen.se/vasterbotten THE KING’S TRAIL (KUNGSLEDEN) THE KING’S TRAIL The first ideas to create a continuous hiking trail The King’s Trail in the mountain world of Swedish Lapland came Second hiking trails at the end of 1800s. As now, the Swedish Tourist Roads STF’s Mountain stations Association was the organiser. This trail would STF’s Mountain huts pass the most beautiful places and thus become STF’s Hostels Second Mountain huts and ‘the king of trails’ – the King’s Trail. overnight accommodations The stretch Kvikkjokk to Abisko was cleared Other locations during the 1920s and today, the King’s Trail stretches ca. 430 km from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south. A well-built system of mountain stations and mountain huts is here, making hiking both easy and fun regardless if you come during the summer or winter. Take a chance and let yourself be inspired, see you in the mountains. For more information: www.stfturist.se/kungsleden

WE ARE WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT Have you ever slept in a charcoal-burner hut, Find your favourite spots around our 400 hostels, climbed Kebnekaise, or been on an eagle-eyed hotels, mountain stations and mountain huts. swan safari? With the Swedish Tourist Association Our cooperation agreement with Hostelling (STF), you’re always as close to nature and International (HI) also offers STF members wilderness as to culture and the big city. access to 4,000 hotels in 80 countries.

www.stfturist.se/kungsleden • www.hihostels.com

Svenska Turistföreningen Box 172 51 104 62 Stockholm, Sweden www.stfturist.se