WG - agree, from our findings two years ago on the TBT and other areas around Narvik and Abisko. It does appear to be the best time - and that's when we are going! David - thanks. I wonder when you walked the Kungsleden and how you found food prices in the huts? We'll camp, but will be glad of a chance to save weight if reasonable.
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Thanks Ken - v helpful. Useful range of food, too.
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Just wondering if anyone here has climbed Kebnekaise from the west, from where the Kungsleden comes close to it? It looks quicker than going to the hostel at its south-east (sorry, the map is at home, so I'm doing this from memory). Initial looks at the map suggests it would be feasible. We shan't have axe and crampons. Thanks, Rob
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 I've heard that its quite rocky from the west.
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 We were planning on walking up via 'Djurlings led' . That is from the west and comes close to the Kungsleden, so maybe that's what you mean? Not many go this way so worth considering if you do it alone. Unfortunately we had to change our plans and cut short the trip so never got that far. The other way of walking up is 'Vestreleden' (actually means west path). This starts the same place as the guided tour groups that go over the glacier, but you branch off and go a very long route which goes up and down again.
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Well, we're back, after a really good trip. Slight change of plan - this is what we ended up doing: Flew to Narvik, train to Abisko, walked south for 9 days on the Kungsleden to Aktse (re-supply), then thru the Rappadalen in Sarak NP for 5 days (v good weather), then north, across 12km wide lake to Ritsem (re-supply), then north to end after 22 days walking at Beisfjord, just a few miles south of Narvik. About 360km. Sarek was really good - almost bumped into elk (moose) and two big calves. BIG animals! Later camped above Rappadalen and watched different groups of elk wade into a large but shallow lake as the evening wore on, grazing something underwater. Magic. So many thanks for all who contributed. It was a good trip, with superb mountain scenery - and 4 lakes to cross. I woul love to return to Sarek, to spend a few days more in the mountains.
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Glad everything went well! Sarek is amazing, Europes last real untouched wilderness. /Alistair
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Hi all, congratulations on a very interesting and informative thread. I am planning a charity walk along the European E1 from Italy to Grövelsjön Sweden and am hoping to carry on to the Kungsleden and possibly beyond. I am hoping to start in January and arrive at the Kungsleden in August/September. The only part of the route I am struggling with at the moment is between Grövelsjön and Hermavan. My maps show the Kungsleden South reaching Undersaker but very few connecting paths between Undersaker and Hermavan. Wilderness Guide mentioned that the real Kungsleden goes as far south as the Salen Mountains, does anyone have any information for the stretch between Undersaker and Hermavan or any ideas for any alternative routes between the two?
Thanks a lot!
Peter
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According to STF, the swedish trekking organisation that has all the huts along the Kings Trail or Kungsleden in swedish the track does not go further south than Hemavan. http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/en/Discover-Sweden/Facilities-and-activities/Lappland/The-Kings-Trail/ I'm aware that in several papers/blogs I've seen the term Southern Kungsleden, but I have not seen any documentation that this is some official name to these tracs further south. Maybe it is just a way to become som spinoff effect from the more famous name Kungsleden? For some connection to the real Kungsleden maybe Peter you could go through Norway some parts. Here is at least a map to help you as a start http://ut.no/kart
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Peter - have you contacted the STF? They're very helpful.
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Kungsleden does actually go from Sälen to Abisko. The reason for the southern stretch not being well known and having a lack of huts and hostels in that its not that popular. The mountains to the north are more famous and therefore draw more tourists. Which way does E1 take you up to Sälen?? pdf for brochure on southern Kungsleden in Dalarna region (Sälen - Grövelsjön - to edge of Rogen nature reserve in Härjedalen district) http://www.w.lst.se/upload/17361/SodraKungsleden_eng.pdf Tyring to find a map over southern Kungsleden. Have to ask a few people and will get back to you. Alistair
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As you say Peter north of Undersåker its not clear which paths to take. What I have heard is that it is possible but requires a lot more of you as regards navigation and route planning. Its not marked as Kungsleden. Looking at the rubbish map of E1 on Wikipedia (cant find another) it looks like the trail in Sweden goes inland and up through Bergslagsleden (only about 40km from me in Värmland) and then curves NW towards Grövelsjön. Lots of wind shelters etc. I have two suggestions which you can ignore altogether if you like. The first is not to walk inland from Varberg but continue up the west coast and follow the border up to the Sälen mountains. Along the border there are marked trails however they have a real wilderness character and often take you away from towns and villages. North of Grövelsjön is a fantastic area with the Rogen nature reserve, the town of Funäsdalen (which has everything you may need) and then north to Helags. Here I have an alternative route suggestion. From Helags if you go NW you reach Sylarna mountain station and then Blåhammaren mountain station (here you can book a 3 course meal!!). From there you can drop down to the Norwegian border next to the Trondheim Östersund road and pick up the trails on the ut.no maps which Otto linked to. /Alistair
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Hi everyone,
Sorry for the slow reply! As you can see, that was my first forum posting. Very idiotically, I forgot to note down the name of the forum and have been unable to find it again for the past two weeks as I signed up on on a now-dead work computer. This thread is now well and truly bookmarked!
It looks like South Kungleden comes from a (largely failed) attempt to extend the Kungsleden to Salen, a bit like the "international Appalachian trail" in America. I wonder how long it will before some bright spark starts the "Scottish Pennine Way Association" in the UK?
Still, the South Kungsleden can definitely get me to Grövelsjön so I am not complaining! From there, my new Skala map shows it carrying on northwards as far as the Trondheim-Östersund road, just as you explained Alistair.
Thank you so much all for your help. I have also contacted the STF and will let you all know how I get on.
Peter
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Norway got more beautiful mountans than pity sweden. A simple search on the web will tell... Jotunheimen, Trollheimen, Hardangervidda or the great Rondane...and more.
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Dont think I would agree. Norways mountains are fantastic, but Swedens mountains have a totally different feel and are just as beautiful in their own way. Just think, western Europes only true great wilderness area is found in Sweden, the Sarek National Park. Google on Sarek and you'll see  More examples: Kebnekaise, Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet, Abisko ....... I would say, experience both countries!!! Norway= rugged Sweden= wilderness PS My favouite area in Norway is the Sunnmöre Alps, magic!
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