Winter hiking and pulka on the Swedish King's Trail

Wake up in Kiruna. The morning is dedicated to final preparations before boarding the train that takes us deep into Swedish Lapland, towards Abisko.

Once there, it's time to strap on our snowshoes and step beneath the iconic wooden archway that marks the start of the Kungsleden, the Royal Trail. We begin our journey with a 15 km hike through a sparse birch forest, following the winding Abiskojokk river all the way to the shores of the lake.

Our destination for the night is the Abiskojaure hut (487 m). A rustic but cosy hut, equipped with heating, a kitchen, chopped wood, bunk beds with duvets, and a sauna (bookable on site).

But before enjoying a warm meal and an evening by the fire, there's one last effort: fetching water from beneath the ice and preparing dinner together. A first taste of adventure and of the simplicity of life in the Arctic wild.

We cross the wide valleys bordered by mountains on our way to Alesjaure. As we move forward, the landscape gradually tightens, the valley narrows, and the mountains grow more imposing around us. The birch forests from the first day slowly disappear, replaced by vast, silent expanses of white that stretch far beyond the eye can see.

Once we reach the hut, everyone naturally slips into their daily routine. Some fetch water, others prepare the fire or help with dinner, with the option to book a sauna session before a comforting shared meal.

We make our way through the main valley to rejoin the Kungsleden trail. This stage is shorter and arrives at the perfect moment in the journey. It poses no particular challenge, apart from the climb leading up to the Tjäktja hut.

As we move forward, the wide open plains gradually give way to narrower valleys framed by snow-covered peaks. We'll stop for a picnic at the Tjäktja hut, which will also be our resting place for the night.

The afternoon offers time to relax, settle into the rhythm of the Arctic, or for those with energy to spare, take a short hike to explore the nearby ridgelines.

We continue our journey along the Kungsleden towards the Tjäktja pass, the highest point on the route at 1,150m. The ascent is gradual and marks a key stage in our journey. After the pass, we leave the relief of the Padjelanta massif to descend into a wide valley and then cross a vast plain, silent in winter and traditionally occupied by the Sami in summer. The chalets of the Sälka Mountain hut gradually come into view.

We then enter the majestic Tjäktjavagge valley, dominated by Sweden's highest peaks, including Kebnekaise. Crossing a more isolated pass, we enter the reindeer valley before reaching the Lapp village of Singi. This deliberately moderate stage allows us to take advantage of the simple, warm Mountain hut, perfectly integrated into its surroundings.

We leave the Mountain hut gently for a more leisurely stage, ideal for enjoying the scenery to the full. After climbing a last small pass with no technical difficulties, the panorama opens out over the Laddjujohka valley.

In this vast snow-covered area, it's not uncommon to spot numerous herds of reindeer and, with a bit of luck, a few elk moving about in this wintry setting. The route takes you through a grandiose environment: as far as Kebnekaise, the mountains rise up all around us, imposing and majestic.

All along the way, large frozen waterfalls punctuate the landscape, adding to the Arctic atmosphere of the day. A contemplative stage, where the moderate pace gives way to observation and total immersion in the wilderness of Swedish Lapland.

The final day of the journey takes you to Nikkaluokta, following the wooded valley of the Láddjujohka river. The first two kilometres are gently downhill, and the rest of the route stretches out over flat terrain, making for a peaceful end to the trek.

Be sure to look back from time to time, as you move away from the Kebnekaise massif, its jagged peaks stand out more clearly against the horizon, offering a last striking view of the mountains.

Nikkaluokta is an important hub for the traditional reindeer trade. You might notice it not just by sight, but even by smell, a final sensory encounter with Sámi culture.

From there, a shuttle will take us back to Kiruna, the small Arctic mining town where we began. We'll spend our last night there and enjoy a final group dinner in town, bringing our northern adventure to a close.