Description

At over 400 kilometres long, this is by any measure a big adventure.

It runs between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south and winds its way through wonderful barren spaces and across high mountain passes.

The trail is well marked and many sections are well equipped and have wooden walkways covering swampy or rocky ground.

However, there are other sections further from the trailheads are eroded and rocky, so the hiking is not always easy.

There are bridges across otherwise non-crossable streams and during the summer season lakes and rivers can be crossed either with rowing boats (which are provided by the local authority) or by taking a local charter boat.

There is also an excellent network of huts en route and although these are generally not catered they do provide somewhere to cook and also provide basic facilities.

Most of them are manned and some of them sell provisions but generally count on carrying in and out everything you will need on your hike.

(This is doubly true on the section between Kvikkjokk and Ammarnäs (about 130 kilometres) which does not have any huts en route).

The huts on the trail are so well situated that it is worth taking a day off from hiking every now and then to just sit and enjoy the silence.

The hike itself takes you not only through some breathtaking scenery (especially in the Sarek National Park, which has no roads in it at all) but also some fascinating settlements including the charming villages of Hemavan and Tärnaby and the town of Abisko itself.

There is also the option (for experienced hikers) to detour from the trail to climb Kebnekaise (2010 metres) which is the highest peak in Sweden.

The ascent requires some exposed scrambling and is only for those with a good head for heights and plenty of experience.

Without Kebnekaise, the whole hike takes roughly 4 weeks, after which you will be glad of a rest and ready for a shower!