This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/Ultralight by /u/Yesterdaysvisions on 2025-09-12 18:15:33+00:00.

I just got home after having an amazing time on the Kungsleden. I thought the route was excellent, the STF huts system is outstanding, and the staff at them were so helpful. I was a bit faster than I thought, but I did stop to smell the Alpine Gentian!

All in ~425 km hiking with a few other summits and side quests off the trail itself. 11 days total, with 10 days hiking with one zero day at Kvikkjokk.

I absolutely fell in love with Sweden and the north and am thinking about doing the route again in winter with a pulk. Also seriously want to go back to Sarek.

It felt great to complete the trail, it’s a truly beautiful route. The STF huts and staff were amazing. Now planning the Nordkalottleden / Arctic Trai!

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Kit list - https://lighterpack.com/r/gl6u4y

Pictures (still sorting them, will add more) - https://imgur.com/a/88GaQ6Y

Route - https://caltopo.com/m/L7C6016

Dates - 25/8/2025 to 5/9/2025

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Day 1 - Abisko to Tjäktja - 37km.

I left Abisko at about 5:30 am to begin the trail. The route immediately led me through beautiful woodland as I departed Abisko, a serene, quiet, start before the landscape began to open up.

Following the trail south, the path gradually climbed towards Gárddenvárri, which I took a quick detour to summit - it offered expansive views of the denser trees behind and the open plateau and lakes ahead. I also stopped here to gather some of the biggest sweetest bilberries I’ve ever seen. They call them Blueberries here - but they are the same Vaccinium myrtillus I know and love. Really delicious!

Around here I had my first truly magical moment on the trail - a magnificent herd of reindeer, grazing peacefully by the lake. They broke and ran when they saw me but it was truly incredible to witness these iconic creatures in their natural habitat

The next section was stunning walk through the valley towards Alesjaure, with the trail hugging the lake for a long stretch. I stopped for lunch at the STF Alesjaure Mountain Cabin, a welcome break and a chance to rest my legs amidst the vast, open fells. Refreshed, fed and watered, I continued southwest trekking towards Miesákjávri.

From there, I pushed on towards the STF Tjäktja Mountain Cabin. I decided to camp about 1 km south of here just before the elevation started to gain again. I could see quite a bit of snow higher up and figured staying a bit lower was probably prudent.

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Day 2 - Tjäktja to top of Durlings Led (with an attempted summit of Kebnekaise) - 39km.

Day two got off to a frosty start. I was packed up and set off by 5:30 am and quickly made my way up and over the Tjäktja pass, the highest point on the official Kungsleden route. The views from the top were absolutely breathtaking, with a wild, rugged expanse of snow and jagged peaks stretching out in every direction.

After a long descent through the valley, I followed the trail towards Sálka, a scenic stretch of trekking through a dramatic, glacially-carved landscape. I stopped for a quick break and some lunch at the STF Sálka Mountain Cabin, a peaceful spot before the long afternoon push.

After leaving Sálka, I trekked south towards Singi, taking in the views of the massive glaciers and surrounding peaks, including the formidable Kebnekaise. I turned east onto Durlings Led, beginning the approach to what I hoped would be a summit of Sweden’s highest peak. I made it to the top of Durlings Led before deciding to set up camp for the night.

Here I made a push to summit but unfortunately the weather was starting to turn, rain and flurries of snow. With steep elevation ahead up ice and snow, and a couple of hours of daylight left I decided to head back to camp and go again first thing in the morning.

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Day 3 - Durlings Led to Kaitumjaure (via Kebnekaise) - 38km.

Day 3 began with a frosty start from my camp on Durlings Led. The tent was iced over on the inside with the condensation frozen solid! The main goal for the day was to summit Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain, and then get back to the Kungsleden.

The climb was a moderately challenging scramble over large boulders and scree, especially with the fresh snow. My microspikes and poles were a lifesaver. I stopped for a coffee at the old emergency hut, soaking in the views before pushing on to the glacier section and eventually the summit.

The views from the top were simply breathtaking. I lingered for about 45 minutes, taking photos and even getting some drone footage before the cold set in.

The descent itself was fairly tough. I retraced my steps back to the saddle, but then followed an unmarked route down the waterfall to Šiellajohka and back to the main Kungsleden trail. It was a challenging, sketchy route, but the sense of accomplishment made it worthwhile.

Rejoining the main trail, I pushed south to Singi for a quick refuel, then on to Kaitumjaure. I set up camp near the beautiful lake and mountain hut. Truly an unforgettable day.

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Day 4 - Kaitumjaure to Autsutjvagge Rest Cabin - 65km (32 km hiking / 2.5 km rowing / 29 km bus / 2km boat).

The day began with a beautiful hike from Kaitumjaure, leading to the rowing boats at Teusajaure. The rowing was a workout - I had to row across, bring a second boat back, and then row across again to complete the crossing and ensure a boat was left on each side. A true Kungsleden rite of passage!

Once across, the hike to the STF Vakkotavare cabin was a pleasant one, it was great to watch the stoats snuffling around for their breakfast amongst the rocks along the way. Once at the road I was grateful to hop on the bus - almost everyone does this as it is 29 km with no siding. It was also a nice break for the legs, and great to chat with a few other hikers and locals. We even stopped at a little cafe for refreshments, which was a lovely surprise.

A short boat ride took me to STF Saltoluokta, where I was incredibly lucky to bump into someone I knew who I’d met on Te Araroa in New Zealand and it was so lovely to catch up and swap information about the trail ahead. I also took the opportunity to recharge my phone and battery, which was super useful.

Fully recharged with fresh legs, I took on the final 10 km of the day, with the evening light setting over the stunning landscape as I made my way to the Autsutjvagge Rest Cabin.

A really varied day on the trail - waiting for busses and boats slowed me down, but the beautiful scenery and the chance encounter with a friendly face made it all worth it.

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Day 5 - Autsutjvagge to Aktse (via Skierffe) - 36 km (4 km by boat).

The day began with an early morning hike from the Autsutjvagge Rest Cabin to Sitojaure. Here, I took a beautiful 4 km boat trip across Gasskajávrre and Gåbddåjávrre, with a lovely Sami woman named Anna. Her and her family were just unbelievably kind, honest, and wholesome folk. It was such a pleasure to chat with her about nature and the landscape of Lapland.

After crossing, the main event was the detour to summit Skierffe. The climb was actually fairly steep, but the panoramic view from the top was absolutely worth it. The famous view of the Rapaälven delta winding its way through the valley of Rapadalen was simply unforgettable - a majestic sight of a wild and untouched landscape. I lingered for perhaps too long, just soaking it all in, truth be told it was quite hard to leave - but the weather was rolling in and some bruising storm clouds threatened rain.

From the summit I made my descent and continued the trek toward Aktse. As the day drew to a close, a beautiful red leaf along the path was a small reminder that autumn was beginning to paint the landscape. The tips of the birch trees have begun to turn a golden yellow, and there is a definite chill in the air.

I camped at the STF site at Aktse, ready to take the boat in the morning. I got my tent up just in time as the heavens opened. It rained really hard all night!

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Day 6 - Aktse to Kvikkjokk - 40 km (3 km by boat).

The morning started slowly from Aktse as I had to wait for the boat at 9 am. It had rained all night and started raining hard again as we waited. I met a couple of really nice guys (who both also had Atom Packs!) and it was great to chat with them; it really helped to take our minds off the weather.

The boat ride across the lake was short, but by the end I was shivering with the cold. I also felt rather queasy and desperately needed the toilet. I was so thankful when we finally docked and I could get off. I quickly made my way to the Mallenjarka emergency shelter for a break to make a hot drink and eat something.

After the rain had calmed down and I was feeling a bit better, I pushed on. The trail from here was long but relatively flat, a welcome change after the last few days. Lots of board walks through lush birch forest.

I ended up hiking with the two guys I’d met on the boat, Chris and Christian. The miles flew by as we yapped away, so much so that we went a little off-track towards the end and came down just east of the trail on the outskirts of Kvikkjokk!

When we finally made it, I decided to stay at the STF station. I had a shared room with a group of three really nice French guys going north and another really nice French guy going south - it was lovely to chat with them all about life, hiking, watches, AI, and everything in-between.

The station also had a cancellation, so I booked a private room to take a zero the next day. The offer of laundry, hot s…

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