4 Days in Swedish Lapland: Abisko to Kebnekaise
A compact but serious mountain adventure: hike from the cosy base of Abisko up the King's Trail to Sweden's crown jewel, Kebnekaise, sleeping in traditional mountain huts and experiencing the ethereal light of the midnight sun. Perfect for fit, budget-conscious hikers who want genuine Arctic wilderness without flying to remote Greenland.
What to expect
- Climb Kebnekaise (2097 m), Sweden's highest peak, in a single push
- Sleep in the atmospheric Kebnekaise Mountain Station, a century-old hut
- Walk the King's Trail—Sweden's most iconic long-distance route
- Witness midnight sun casting eerie, shadowless light on bare tundra peaks
- Spot reindeer, ptarmigan and Arctic hares in their natural habitat
- Bathe in an ice-fed mountain stream (or stand in one for a photo)
Day by day
Fly to Kiruna, take the train 1 hour south to Abisko. Pick up supplies at the small shop.
Check into Abisko Mountain Station, eat an early dinner, rest and acclimatize.
Walk short trails around the hut at 10 p.m. when light is flattest for photography.
Begin hiking the Kungsleden (King's Trail) north at 7 a.m. with a packed lunch.
Trek 12 km through birch forest, tundra and past Abisko Lake; reach Alesjaure hut by 6 p.m.
Hot shower, three-course dinner provided by hut staff, sleep in shared dormitory.
Early breakfast, then hike 15 km and 800 m elevation gain toward Kebnekaise hut.
Reach the hut by mid-afternoon, rest, eat, prepare for summit push.
Light supper, sleep early (hut is at 1150 m, you'll summit around 4 a.m. to beat crowds).
Start at 4 a.m. in fading darkness, summit Kebnekaise by 7 a.m. in full midnight sun.
Descend 1000 m to the hut, rest, eat a massive meal, begin your return hike down to Alesjaure.
Reach Alesjaure, sleep, or push on to Abisko if time/energy permit; next day return to Kiruna.
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