KUNGSLEDEN WITH STF HIKING AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING ALONG THE SWEDISH MOUNTAIN CHAIN Welcome to Kungsleden Welcome to what has been called the trails”, which in Swedish is expressed hikers’ thirst and provide a haven of last wilderness in Europe, the mountain in the name: “Kungsleden”. rest. The long days and short nights chain that stretches from northern Cairns were raised during the 1920s create a magical feeling, with the Lapland as far south as Dalarna in along the stretch between Kvikkjokk midnight sun being seen from early in central Sweden. Imposing landscapes, and Abisko, and today Kungsleden the summer north of the Arctic Circle. rich culture and magnificent experien ces runs for approximately 430 kilometres The autumn decks the mountains of the natural world. Extensive protec- from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in a blaze of red and yellow. The ted regions that have been classified as in the south. The route is serviced by peaks are powdered with snow and nature reserves, national parks, and an extensive system of STF mountain the air is pure and clear. Winter is UNESCO World Heritage sites. At stations, STF hostels and STF moun- coming and the snow will be here the end of the 19th century, the first tain cabins, which ensures that a period soon. Winter brings with it its special suggestions of creating a continuous in the mountain realm is both easy to snow surface and in the dark evenings hiking trail in the mountain domain of arrange and fun, at any time of year. the Northern Lights dance across the Swedish Lapland were raised. Then, Explorers of all ages hike or ski across heavens. The days slowly become as now, the Swedish Tourist Association the mountains. lighter and warmer, and spring brings (STF) was the driving force. It was The natural world of the mountains another type of snow surface. The planned that the trail should pass vibrates during the summer months early spring offers many wonderful through the most beautiful locations, with colours, fragrances, sound and skiing trips, and magnificent expe- and in this way become the “king of motion. Babbling brooks extinguish riences of primeval white mountains. Lapland, a country within Sweden’s borders Sweden has eleven summits over 2,000 ANIMAL LIFE the Arctic fox, Arctic hare and ptarmi- metres and all of them are in Lapland. The “big four” of Swedish fauna – lynx, gan. And it’s common for skiers to see This part of the country also has many wolverine, bear and wolf – are found the tracks of the wolverine and lynx. of Sweden’s most spectacular valleys. here. It is also possible to see the golden Together, they form a natural world of eagle, white-tailed eagle, gyrfalcon, GET TO KNOW THE SAMI seldom-seen variety, from mountain peregrine falcon, long-tailed jaeger, Reindeer husbandry and the rich Sami forests rich in species in the valleys to ptarmigan, European golden plover, culture are thriving and alive along nearly sterile landscapes and glaciers bluethroat, snow bunting and many Kungsleden. Especially in the summer high on the mountains. other birds. Around half of Sweden’s you can meet Sami with their reindeer UNESCO has designated part of 400 species of birds have been sighted out on the mountains. Do not disturb Lapland as a World Heritage Site, in Lapland. Another common sight is grazing reindeer and keep dogs on a Laponia. This includes the national the king of Swedish wildlife, the elk, leash. More information about the parks Stora Sjöfallet, Padjelanta, Sarek not least in Tarradalen and Rapadalen. Sami history, language, culture and and Muddus; the nature reserves Animal activity holds a low profile reindeer husbandry as it is practised Sjauna and Stubba; parts of Kvikkjokk- during the winter months, but some today is available at www.samer.se. Kabla; and the delta at Sulitelma and species change to winter coats and STF also has an information folder Rapadalen. adapt to life in the cold. These include “Realm of the Reindeer” on its website. STF Abisko Mountain Station Address: 981 07 Abisko. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/abisko, www.auroraskystation.se Tel: 010-190 23 60. Season: The facility is open all year, with limited service at certain periods. Accommodation: The station has 350 beds, distributed among three different forms of accommo- dation. Single or double room with or without shower/ WC. Place in a multi-bed room with shared shower/ WC on the corridor. Spacious self-catering cabins for 4-6 people. Food: Breakfast, lunch and evening meal with suitable wine selections. Restaurang Kungsleden has an entry in the White Guide and is certified to KRAV 2 level. It takes inspiration from the Lapland cuisine, and has an ambition to use organic raw materials produced locally. An “Exclusive Dinner” is offered at the STF Aurora Sky Station during the winter, and a “Midnight Sun Dinner” on some summer evenings. Service: Guides, shop, rental equipment, sauna, self-catering facilities, campsite. Activities: During the summer we offer, among other things, rambles in the midnight sun, Aurora Sky Station, elementary caving, courses in water-colours and day-long trips to Kärkevagge and Trollsjön. During the winter we offer Aurora Sky Station, Northern Lights ABISKO TURISTSTATION rambles, snowshoe trekking, ice climbing, tour ski trips, summit trips and courses in avalanche survival. Abiskojaure Arriving: Daily train connections from Stockholm, Alesjaure Gothenburg, Kiruna and Narvik to the Abisko Turist Tjäktja Sälka KIRUNA station. Flights to Kiruna or Narvik followed by bus, Singi Nikkaluokta KEBNEKAISE taxi or rental car to Abisko. (Always check the bus Kaitumjaure FJÄLLSTATION Teusajaure times when booking air tickets.) By road, take the E10. Vakkotavare SALTOLUOKTA FJÄLLSTATION GÄLLIVARE STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station Sitojaure Aktse Address: 981 99 Kiruna. Pårte E-mail: [email protected] KVIKKJOKK JOKKMOKK FJÄLLSTATION Website: www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/kebnekaise Tel: 010-190 23 60. Tärnasjö Season: March-April, middle of June-September. Serve AMMARNÄS Viterskalet Accommodation: 2-bedded or 4-bedded rooms or a Syter Aigert Suggested tours HEMAVAN SORSELE sleeping cubicle in a multi-bed room. Shared shower/ WC on the corridor. Single rooms are available. 220 20 km beds. Food: The “Elsas kök” restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and à la carte with Lapland specialities, Swedish everyday fare and newly baked pastries from its own bakery. Fully licensed. ABISKO TO NIKKALUOKTA during the summer season. From the view across forty kilometres of the Information Abisko – Nikkaluokta Nikkaluota, followed by 19 km walking Service: Shop, bakery, limited rental of mountain The tour starts at the STF Abisko STF Alesjaure cabin it is possible to Tjäktavagge valley. It’s great to spend Fjällkarta (“Swedish mountain maps”): BD6 or skiing up to the STF Kebnekaise equipment, guides, sauna and self-catering facilities. Distance: 105 km mountain station and passes through continue along Kungsleden or take an an extra day in the STF Sälka cabins mountain station. In the summer, it’s Activities: In the summer we offer high-alpine Duration: 5–7 days courses, climbing courses, guided trips to Sweden’s the northern entrance of Kungsleden, extremely beautiful alternative via the and make a day-long outing into the No. of cabins: 5 along Kungsleden, possible to shorten the route by 5 km highest peak, glacier trekking, flora exploration tours, known as “Skapelsen”. The train stops STF Vistas and STF Nallo mountain unforgettably beautiful surroundings. with 7 neighbouring by taking the boat across the Ladtjo- and weeks with special themes. Other tourist Mountain stores selling food: Abisko, right beside the STF Abisko mountain cabins. Mountains rise steeply from The cabin managers along Kungsleden jaure lake. Take a good meal in the attractions are the giant caves in Ladtjojåkka, Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, Kebnekaise, Sälka, Silverfallet in Singivagge, Kitteldalen and Tarfala. In station and the northern starting point the valley floor and the tour passes are happy to describe how to get to Vistas, Unna Allakas restaurant at Kebnekaise followed by the winter we offer courses in high-alpine ski touring of Kungsleden. The trek first passes through forests of mountain birch and luxuriant wild strawberry beds. Saunas: Abisko, Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, a relaxing sauna, then it’s time to con- and ice climbing, guided skiing trips along valleys or Kebnekaise, Sälka, Vistas, Unna Allakas through the birch forests of Abisko across the barren mountain landscape. From the cabins at STF Singi you can tinue through the mountains to the up onto the mountain slopes. Skilled off-piste skiiers The terrain becomes more desolate continue southwards towards STF STF Singi mountain cabin. This is can expect to descend many metres on Jökelbäcke, National Park with its rich animal life, on the Storglaciär or on the Hydrologränna. to the STF Abiskojaure mountain cabin. when following Kungsleden to the Vakkotavare, or make a detour to the NIKKALUOKTA TO SALTOLUOKTA where you pick up Kungsleden, north Cross-country skiiers can find trails through the Lapporten, one of the most famous STF Tjäktja cabins. At Tjäktapasset, STF Kebnekaise mountain station. VIA KEBNEKAISE to Abisko and south to Saltoluokta. Tarfala valley and towards Singistugorna. silhouettes of the mountain realm, can the highest point along Kungsleden, From there you can take the bus to The tour starts in the village of Nikka- The path to Saltoluokta first passes Arriving: Train or plane to Kiruna. Bus to Nikkaluokta, one of the most powerful mountain Kiruna in Nikkaluokta. luokta. Fly or take the train to Kiruna, through the beautiful valley of Tjäktja- followed by 19 kilometres hiking or skiing. A be seen in the distance. Boat transport 5-kilometre boat journey is possible in the summer, is available on the Alesjaure lake experiences awaits.