A 470km adventure through Swedish Arctic wilderness

Earlier this year my blog ’Kungsleden (’The King’s Trail’) – Vision’ outlined the dream to do this epic trail and what it might involve. The plan is to do this with my friend Cammie, long-time running buddy. We have subsequently spent time training and equipping ourselves for this task. The preparation was probably more involved than either of us originally envisaged. Even arranging to get to and from the start and finish points has not been straightforward. It means the unknown plays a bit on our minds (at least mine!). It would not be an adventure if everything was predictable. A great help has been using the excellent guide book ’Trekking the Kungsleden’. There are also lots of videos and articles giving advice and inspiration (see footnote 1).

The guide book indicates the route normally takes about a month to hike. We are going from north to south. The aim is to do the 28 official stages in 14 days as indicated below. Most of the northern place names are in the language of the indigenous Sami people.

Route Summary

Assuming our ‘getting to the start’ plans work we hope to begin day 1 from Abisko on Saturday 21st June. 

Roughly every second night we will be camping wild, though usually near mountain huts or stations. The other nights the plan is to stay in such huts. Apart from shelter they will be the main places to get food and supplies. Most of them are run by the Swedish Tourist Association. A few are unmanned and others are to be used only in emergency. 

For the trail itself we hope to manage the distance travelled each day. However it is harder to predict how much time each of the seven mandatory lake crossings will take. Availability of rowing boats when arriving lakeside is an unknown. Also a few are motorised crossings which usually have to be arranged in advance. At one point we need to catch a bus along a lakeside. Timing is important  to avoid delays. 

As the time has drawn near thoughts turn to exactly what is needed to take with us. We have a self imposed rucksack limit of 7.5-8kg. This is to keep us light and, hopefully (!), nimble. Some compromises are inevitable. Yet at the same time we have to carry our needs for 14 days on the trail. Questions like how much spare/ emergency food to carry? What weight of sleeping mat to take? Are small margins of comfort important when 2 weeks in the wilderness are involved? What are the most important things to take first aid wise? How best to utilise and fit our solar power banks? Some of it is down to personal choice. Some involve safety and common sense.

As with past multi day and long distance trails I also see this as a pilgrimage (footnote 2). It is not all about the physical or the mental demands the trail may make. There is also time away from the regular noise and bustle of the everyday. To savour for a time remote and wild places and to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. Surely good for the soul.

Related blogs including doing the Kungsleden

Kungsleden (‘The King’s Trail’) – 14 Days of Summer My account of doing the Kungsleden 21st June – 4th July i2025.

Kungsleden (‘The King’s Trail’) – Vision My idea behind doing this trail.

1. If wish to know more there is a helpful description of Kungsleden here or an excellent 13 min video.

2. Interestingly the first part of the Kungsleden is also on the Dag Hammarskjöld pilgrimage trail. As the 2nd UN Secretary General he had a fascinating life – see ‘The Man and a Mystery’

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