2024 Kungsleden Trekking (Sweden)

The Kungsleden, or King’s Trail, is Sweden’s longest and most famous hiking trail winding through the mountains in the far north, within the Arctic Circle. The hiking trail covers four national parks, (Abisko, Stora Sjöfallet, Sarek, Pieljekaise), in the World Heritage Site Laponia, and is more than 450km long. The route is diverse encompassing impressive mountains, birch forests and colourful heaths. 

The team of two Imperial students aimed to hike the far northern part of the trail from Kvikkjokk to Nikkaluokta, about 150km, including summitting the Skierfe, (1,179m), camping along the way over 10 days in July. The route is well marked with many basic mountain cabins providing supplies, as well as several Fjällstation, larger mountain stations, and the mountain glaciers provide a readily available source of fresh water. 

The Kungsleden route taken by the team comprised Kvikkjokk to Parte, then to Aktse, followed by Avtsusjvagge, and then onto Saltaluokta for a rest day. From there the pair trekked to Kaitumjaure, followed by the next stage to Kebnekaise, then to Tarfala, and finally towards Nikkaluokta. 

Along the trail the team encountered huge open expanses of forests, lakes, and mountains, and they had to negotiate many different types of terrain, including boulder fields. Some stages also involved using boats, made available for trekkers, to cross lakes.