The Kungsleden starts (or ends, depending on how you look at it), in Hemavan. This 450 kilometer long trail is probably the most popular thruhike in Scandinavia and offers hikers the best that the Swedish hiking trail system has to offer. In this blog we’ll tell you a little bit more about hiking Kungsleden in Hemavan and how, for example, you could make a nice dayhike if you’re not planning to hike out all the way from Hemavan to Ammarnäs.

Hiking from Hemavan to Ammarnäs

If you want to hike the Kungsleden from Hemavan to Ammarnäs, our suggestion would be to start in Ammarnäs instead. This leaves you with the best views towards the end, as on a clear day, you can see all the way into Norway with its glaciers from the Kungsleden. The section between Ammarnäs and Hemavan is 78 kilometers and hikers typically take between 4-6 days to complete this stretch. Along the way you’ll find mountain cabins run by STF or you can freedom camp.

The good thing about this section is that no boats are needed to cross major lakes and that the majority of streams are bridged.

A day hike on Kungsleden

If you don’t feel like hiking for a few days, you can of course hike just a few kilometers of the Kungsleden as well. The trail starts at naturum Hemavan and is wide for the first few kilometers. Once you’ve reached the treeline, Hemavan’s beautiful mountains will come into view and you will see peaks such as Murtsertoppen behind you. Once you’ve reached the top station of the gondola after some 3 kilometers, the trail becomes flatter and views will be better. You may even catch a glimpse of the glaciers in Norway on a clear day!

If you don’t fancy hiking the whole way up, you can catch the gondola from the center of town and start your Kungsleden hike from there, this will shave about 6 km (return) off your hike.

Fit hikers can head all the way to Viterskalet cabin, the first cabin on Kungsleden, which is 11 kilometers from Hemavan. The trail is never difficult and a pleasure for anyone who enjoys hiking.

And … for this summer we’re organising guided hikes on Kungsleden! Each Wednesday you can join us. Find out more here!

What are the alternatives for Kungsleden in Hemavan

Don’t feel like hiking the Kungsleden when in Hemavan? No worries, there’s plenty of other options too, such as Lapplandsleden or Drottningleden. We’ll tell you more about those hikes some other time.

Are you planning to hike Kungsleden from Hemavan this summer? Then make sure to check our tours and workshops that will provide you with some tools to make a your trekking a massive success:

– Fire making workshop
– Wilderness Navigation
– Women in the Wild – a special tour for women!