Kungsleden

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Kungsleden
Kungsleden over Teusajaure.jpg
map
Map of the hiking trail
Data
length 440 kmdep1
Starting point Abisko
68 ° 21 ′ 28.4 ″  N , 18 ° 46 ′ 40.4 ″  E
Target point Hemavan
65 ° 49 '2.8 "  N , 15 ° 5' 12.9"  E
The highest point Tjäktja pass
( 1150  m above sea level )
Lowest point Kvikkjokk
( 302  m above sea level )
Section of the Kungsleden between Saltoluokta and Sitojaure. Looking north (Lulep Kirkau and Stora Sjöfallet).

The Kungsleden ( Swedish for "the King's Path") is a long-distance hiking trail in the historic Swedish province of Lapland .

Pieces, characteristics

It consists of two parts, a northern and a southern section. The Kungsleden was founded on the initiative of Svenska Turistföreningen (STF) at the beginning of the 20th century. The aim was to develop the natural landscapes of Lapland. The enthusiasm for nature in northern Sweden was all about national romanticism. Gradually the path was expanded and equipped with huts for overnight stays.

The start of the northern Kungsleden from Abisko

The older and better known northern part runs for about 440 kilometers from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south. The highest point is on Tjäktja Pass at an altitude of 1150 meters, the lowest point is Kvikkjokk at 302 meters. The southern section runs over 350 kilometers from Sälen to Storlien . The highest point is reached near the Helag and is about 1180 meters. There is no connection (yet) between the two parts.

The path is marked and provided with bridges. The trail markers for Wandering on foot made of red rings around tree trunks or heaps ( cairns ) with a red stone (Swedish: stenröse, pl stenrösen.) In treeless areas. The winter hiking trail, which sometimes deviates slightly from the course, is marked with red crosses on approx. 2 m high poles and leads partly through marshland that is frozen over in winter or over lakes. The summer and winter markings are placed in such a way that you can see the next mark from any mark and steer towards it. The summer hiking trail crosses a lake in some places. You either have to cross it yourself using the rowing boat you have available or you can use the boat service, which is only offered during the main season and is usually organized by local Sami .

At daily intervals there are accommodations (but not in the section between Kvikkjokk to Ammarnäs ) that are operated by the Swedish Tourist Association STF , partly unmanaged huts, but in the main season there is usually a hut attendant, and some mountain stations (mountain stations, sports hotels). Even if the huts are not manned outside the main season, at least one emergency room (with cooking and sleeping facilities) is always open. Around every second hut sells provisions during the season.

Only the northern half is more heavily used (especially between Abisko and Kvikkjokk or between Abisko and Kebnekaise and Nikkaluokta ). There the path mostly moves above the tree line. Although well developed, the path can be difficult if the weather continues to rain. For summer hikes, the time from midsummer to the end of August comes into consideration, although it is also possible to hike until mid-September. The period February to April is suitable for winter tours. It is expected that all hikers observe the Allemansrätt and generally treat the environment and nature carefully.

The southern Kungsleden is much less traveled and accommodation in STF huts and mountain stations is possible here, but the distances between the huts are sometimes significantly longer and not always accessible with a day's hike. There are also private huts, but these are not always open. Summer and winter hiking trails are also marked on the southern Kungsleden.

By train are Gällivare , Abisko (directly at the station Abisko tourist station begins the trail), Murjek , Umeå and Storlien to reach, driving from where domestic buses to various places along the northern Kungsleden. The airfields of Hemavan , Gällivare and Kiruna near the northern Kungsleden are also served directly from Stockholm . The southern Kungsleden can only be reached by bus. B. from Mora . Mora is connected to the Swedish rail network.

Cabins and tent sites

Some sections of the Kungsleden are covered with wooden planks because of the swampy subsoil.
At Miesákjávri
On Tjaktjaure
The Rittak refuge

There are huts along the Kungsleden that can be reached on day trips. Tents can usually be set up in prepared places near the huts (observe the safety distance due to the risk of fire!) And the facilities in the huts can be used at the same time. A corresponding fee is due for this.

Recommended campsites are shown in brackets below; the distances refer to the nearby hut.

See also

literature

  • Michael Hennemann: Sweden: Kungsleden , Outdoor Manual - The path is the goal, Welver 2011 (Conrad Stein Verlag), ISBN 978-3-86686-334-7
  • Peter Bickel: Northern Scandinavia - The hiking guide. Nordkalottleden, Kungsleden, Padjelanta ; Germany 2004 (Edition Elch), ISBN 3-937452-01-X , (first edition 2000, third edition in progress)
  • D. Klawatzki, D. Heim: Outdoor manual - The journey is the goal - Sweden: Sarek, Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet, Abisko, Kebnekaise ; Welver, 2003 (Conrad Stein Verlag), ISBN 3-89392-317-9
  • Claes Grundsten: Vandra Kungsleden ; STF, Stockholm 1988, ISBN 91-7156-062-9
  • STF: Bo hos STF - vandrarhem, fjällstationer, fjällstugor (published annually, directory of youth hostels, mountain stations and mountain huts in Sweden)
  • STF: The Royal Trail (Kungsleden) by Foot and on Skis , Stockholm 2009
  • Maps: Fjällkartan No. BD6, BD8, BD10, BD14, BD16, AC2; (Hiking maps on a scale of 1: 100,000); Publisher: Lantmäteriverket
  • Alfred Andersch: Walks in the North (travel report); Walter Verlag, Olten
  • Danielle Fenton, Wayne Fenton: Plan & Go | Kungsleden: All you need to know to complete Sweden's Royal Trail ; San Diego, 2017 (sandiburg press), ISBN 978-1-943126-07-1

Web links

Commons : Kungsleden  - collection of images, videos and audio files