I quit my job and got some vacation time remaining. What to do with it? Between 2009 and 2014 I was on some trekking tours, but since then I lost track of this hobby. However, the wish to be on the trail again in the wide landscape is rising in me. In 2012 I started to walk the Kungsleden from Kvikkjokk to Abisko, but had to stop due to some health restrictions. Since then I have been dreaming of completing the hike one day. Maybe this year (2017) is a good start.
An adventure of three! And with three dogs…
At first I plan to hike my tour solo. But little by little I get company! My brother Alexander is interested in coming along and Manuel jumps on the bandwagon last minute. He has also quit his job and can therefore join us spontaneously when I ask him. In mid-August the three of us set off to walk the northernmost section of Kungsleden from Abisko to Vakkotavare.
Start of the Kungsleden in Abisko
This trekking tour on the Kungsleden from Abisko to Vakkotavare turned out to be the start or rather the rediscovery of our passion for trekking. Since then, not a year goes by without Manuel and me being on tour somewhere!
Our travel reports for each day
Day 0: Travel from Germany to Abisko
Day 1: Station in Abisko – Campspot in Abisko Nationalpark
Day 2: Campspot in Abisko Nationalpark – Campspot at Gárddenvággi
Day 3: Campspot at Gárddenvággi – Alesjaure
Day 4: Alesjaure – Sälka
Day 5: Sälka – Singi
Day 6: Singi – Kaitumjaure
Day 7: Rest day in Kaitumjaure
Day 8: Kaitumjaure – Vakkotavare
Start in Abisko
Latitude:
68° 21' 30"
Longitude:
18° 47' 00"
Description
The Kungsleden starts in Abisko at the STF Abisko Turiststation and the same named train station. The mountain station offers the chance to get everything you need for Kungsleden.
Day 1: Abisko - Nissonjohka
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The first day: from Abisko Turiststation station to the first campsite in Abisko National Park.
The Kungsleden starts next to the train station Abisko Turiststation. The mountain station is not far to walk and a good opportunity to stock up on supplies and buy gas. A detour to the tunnel of Abiskojåkka is also worthwhile. When building the railway (Malmbanan) it was cheaper to build a tunnel for the river than a bridge for the railway. If you look closely you can also discover the remains of a hydroelectric power station.
The Kungsleden starts next to the train station Abisko Turiststation. The mountain station is not far to walk and a good opportunity to stock up on supplies and buy gas. A detour to the tunnel of Abiskojåkka is also worthwhile. When building the railway (Malmbanan) it was cheaper to build a tunnel for the river than a bridge for the railway. If you look closely you can also discover the remains of a hydroelectric power station.
Campspot at Nissonjohka
Latitude:
68° 19' 35"
Longitude:
18° 45' 15"
Description
Camping is prohibited in Abisko National Park. But there is an exception at Nissonjohka. Beside some good campsites there is a fireplace and a composting toilet.
Day 2: Nissonjohka - Gárddenvárri
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The second day: from the campsite at Nissonjohka to the campsite at Gárddenvárri.
At the end of the Abisko National Park the Kungsleden turns south on the second day and follows the Kamajåkka. The ascent is long and we find it exhausting. At the foot of the Gárddenvárri we find a good campground a little off the trail.
At the end of the Abisko National Park the Kungsleden turns south on the second day and follows the Kamajåkka. The ascent is long and we find it exhausting. At the foot of the Gárddenvárri we find a good campground a little off the trail.
Campsite at Gárddenvárri
Latitude:
68° 13' 58"
Longitude:
18° 35' 42"
Description
A little off the trail there are lots of good campsites. As the stretch from Nissonjohka campground to Alesjaurestugorna is long, many hikers take the opportunity to spend the night in between.
Day 3: Gárddenvárri - Alesjaure
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The third day: from the campsite at Gárddenvárri to the STF Alesjaure mountain station.
From our campsite we climb up about 50 more meters before we descend to the shore of the Rádujávri. The descent is easy and the trail always follows the shore of the long lake. After about half of the distance the Rádujávri becomes the Alisjávri, which we hardly notice. On the southern shore lies our destination for the day, the Alesjaure Fjällstuga.
From our campsite we climb up about 50 more meters before we descend to the shore of the Rádujávri. The descent is easy and the trail always follows the shore of the long lake. After about half of the distance the Rádujávri becomes the Alisjávri, which we hardly notice. On the southern shore lies our destination for the day, the Alesjaure Fjällstuga.
STF Alesjaure mountain station
Latitude:
68° 08' 11"
Longitude:
18° 24' 53"
Description
STF Alesjaure mountain station is the largest cabin on the northern Kungsleden. Besides a shop and a lounge there is also a sauna. You have to chop the wood for the sauna by yourself with the available tools.
Day 4: Alesjaure - Sälka
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The fourth day: from the STF Alesjaure Mountain Cabin to the STF Sälka Mountain Cabin.
It is a long stage from Alesjaure to Sälka. Up to the Tjäktja pass there is a 350 m ascent. If this stage is too far and too demanding for you, you can also just walk to STF Tjäktja Mountain Cabin. It is quite exactly in the middle of the two stages. The view from the pass into Tjäktjavaggi is breathtaking: We will be hiking through this fantastic valley for the next two days.
It is a long stage from Alesjaure to Sälka. Up to the Tjäktja pass there is a 350 m ascent. If this stage is too far and too demanding for you, you can also just walk to STF Tjäktja Mountain Cabin. It is quite exactly in the middle of the two stages. The view from the pass into Tjäktjavaggi is breathtaking: We will be hiking through this fantastic valley for the next two days.
STF Sälka Fjällstuga
Latitude:
67° 56' 46"
Longitude:
18° 16' 56"
Description
The cabin in Sälka is much smaller than the one in Alesjaure. We are looking forward to visiting the sauna and the opportunity to wash ourselfs with warm water.
Day 5: Sälka - Singi
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The fifth day: from STF Sälka Fjällstuga to STF Singi Fjällstuga.
The stage between Sälka and Singi is short and has no significant ascents. However, after the difficult and long section the day before as wells as the wet grey weather today, the outlook for an easy hike is just what we need.
The stage between Sälka and Singi is short and has no significant ascents. However, after the difficult and long section the day before as wells as the wet grey weather today, the outlook for an easy hike is just what we need.
STF Singi Fjällstuga
Latitude:
67° 51' 03"
Longitude:
18° 19' 00"
Description
In Singi we find shelter in the garbage room of the hut. After the rainy day we enjoy the comfort of the dry and warm common room with tables, chairs and a cooking area.
Day 6: Singi - Katiumjaure
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The sixth day: from STF Singi Fjällstuga to STF Kaitumjaure Fjällstuga.
As bad as the weather was during the last days, as nice it is today. The leg between Singi and Kaitumjaure is also easy to walk and leads moderately downhill. We follow the Tjäktjajåkkå downstream until it flows into the Kaitumjaure. After about three quarters of the way we cross the river on a suspension bridge.
As bad as the weather was during the last days, as nice it is today. The leg between Singi and Kaitumjaure is also easy to walk and leads moderately downhill. We follow the Tjäktjajåkkå downstream until it flows into the Kaitumjaure. After about three quarters of the way we cross the river on a suspension bridge.
STF Kaitumjaure Fjällstuga
Latitude:
67° 44' 35"
Longitude:
18° 17' 33"
Description
In the delta that forms at the mouth of the Tjäktjajåkkå into the Kaitumjaure, you can often see moose grazing. We had the opportunity to observe them from our tent as well as from the Kaitumjaure cabins. The sauna in Kaitumjaure has a small natural pool with very cold water in a stream.
Tag 8: Katiumjaure - Vakkotavare
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The eighth day: from STF Kaitumjaure Fjällstuga to STF Vakkotavare Fjällstuga
The section between Kaitumjaure and Teusajaure is not far (about 8.6 km). We plan to walk a bit further, so that the last few kilometers to Vakkotavare are an easy last day of walking. However, our plan does not work out and we walk the distance to Vakkotavare in one stretch.
The section between Kaitumjaure and Teusajaure is not far (about 8.6 km). We plan to walk a bit further, so that the last few kilometers to Vakkotavare are an easy last day of walking. However, our plan does not work out and we walk the distance to Vakkotavare in one stretch.
STF Vakkotavare Fjällstuga
Latitude:
67° 34' 54"
Longitude:
18° 06' 02"
Description
The cabin in Vakkotavare is located right by the road. But that does not mean that there is a lot of traffic here. Except for the two buses that run twice a day between Ritsem and Gällivare there is not much traffic.
