KUNGSLEDEN: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

GETTING THERE

All the major airlines fly from London to Stockholm; flight times are around 2½ hours. SAS, Scandinavia’s main airline, operates flights from Stockholm to Kiruna; with flight times at around 90 minutes. Alternatively, sleeper trains operated by SJ, the Swedish railway, leave Stockholm twice each evening and take around 17 hours. Once in Kiruna, buses run twice a day to the trailhead at Abisko.

ACCOMMODATION

The STF huts along the trail can’t be booked in advance, but they guarantee to never turn guests away. They cost around 400 SEK (about £37) per person per night; to camp and use the facilities costs around 100 SEK. Consider buying an STF membership before your trip as it gives you discounted prices. STF also has good hostels in Abisko and Kiruna.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

The huts and boats only operate from mid -June to the end of September. This season can be roughly divided into three: early season (mid-June to mid-July), middle season (mid-July to end of August) and late season (end of August to end of September).

is the most temperamental in terms of weather, so the trail is less busy. One year could see snow lying on the ground while the next, a heatwave. Thanks to the low number of walkers, and because it’s spring and everything is beginning to wake up, it is a great time for spotting wildlife.

Early season

is definitely the busiest time of year with the best, most reliable weather. The sun is shining and the days are longest; however the crowds and the bugs are a big deterrent. In the lower, damper parts of the trail the bugs can be extremely annoying.

Middle season

is favoured by many because of the moderate temperature, the slightly reduced crowds and the darkening skies. Swedish kids go back to school at the end of August, the bugs all go after the first sub-zero night, and the longer nights provide an increased likelihood of Northern Lights sightings. The weather can be temperamental, like the beginning of the season, but less so.

Late season