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Kungsleden

Kungsleden — the trail guide

The Kungsleden is a 440 km trek in Sweden, typically walked in 25-30 days, with 9095 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (21 m of gain per km, topping out at 1158 m).

Kungsleden — the King's Trail — runs 440 km through Swedish Lapland from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south, crossing the Arctic Circle and four national parks. It is the classic Scandinavian long walk: waymarked the whole way, bridged at the river crossings, and served by STF mountain huts spaced roughly a day's walk apart, so it can be walked hut-to-hut without a tent. The northern quarter from Abisko to Nikkaluokta is by far the most walked, passing beneath Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain.

Quick facts

Distance440 km
Total ascent9095 m
Typical duration25-30 days
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness21 m gain per km
High point1158 m
CountrySweden
RegionSweden

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 302 m · high point 1158 m · 9095 m total ascent over 440 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 426 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan-7°-12°88 mm
Feb-6°-11°78 mm
Mar-4°-9°82 mm
Apr0°-5°60 mm
May5°0°61 mm
Jun12°6°83 mm
Jul16°9°101 mm
Aug14°8°106 mm
Sep10°5°94 mm
Oct3°-1°83 mm
Nov-1°-5°69 mm
Dec-4°-9°86 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Kungsleden?

The Kungsleden is 440 km, and most hikers complete it in 25-30 days. Total elevation gain is 9095 m.

How difficult is the Kungsleden?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 21 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1158 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Kungsleden is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Kungsleden?

In Sweden. The route starts near 68.349, 18.782 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

More treks in Sweden

See all Sweden treks →