Crossing Swedish Lapland on nordic skis with pulka

After waking up in Kiruna and taking care of the final morning preparations, we take the train to Abisko. Upon arrival, we put on our Nordic skis and begin the traverse beneath the iconic gateway of the King's Trail.

Over roughly fifteen kilometres, we glide through open birch forests, following the Abiskojokk River toward the lake, far from any sign of civilization. Moving at an unhurried pace, our attention stays on the landscape: reindeer and moose may appear along the way.

We reach the rustic Abiskojaure hut (487 m), heated and equipped with a kitchen, sauna (bookable on site), firewood and bunk beds with duvets. One last task awaits before we rest: collecting water beneath the ice and preparing the shared meal.

The evening settles into a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for rest and preparation for the days ahead.

Today, we leave the birch forests behind and enter wide valleys framed by imposing mountains, heading toward Lake Alesjaure (700 m). Progress unfolds across varied terrain, from open tundra to vast snow-covered expanses that grow broader as the day goes on.

We follow the frozen shoreline of the lake, where silence dominates beneath often clear skies, creating a calm and luminous atmosphere. Along the way, we pass a Sámi village, a living reminder of ancestral traditions, before reaching the Alesjaure hut.

On arrival, everyone settles into the evening routine, followed by a warm shared meal, with the option to book a sauna session to recover before continuing the expedition.

We move along the main valley, following the Kungsleden, on a shorter stage that allows for a comfortable pace. The terrain is gradual, with no major difficulties except for the final climb to the Tjäktja hut (1,140 m). The scenery changes as wide plains give way to narrower valleys dominated by high peaks.

After lunch near the hut and settling in, the afternoon is free. Some of us choose to rest in the quiet atmosphere of the refuge, while others head out to explore the surrounding summits on Nordic skis, enjoying the soft light of the late afternoon.

We continue our Nordic ski tour of the Kungsleden towards the Tjäktja pass (1,140 m), the highest point on our route. The ascent is gradual, offering a steady climb across clearings and exposed ridges in bright winter light. From the pass, we descend into a wide valley before crossing a vast, silent plain, a former Sami pastureland, where the still calm invites contemplation.

On the horizon, the chalets of the Sälka Mountain hut come into view. This is where we spend the late afternoon. This quiet time will allow everyone to rest and fully absorb this Nordic immersion, before setting off again tomorrow.

We leave the Sälka hut late in the morning, moving steadily toward a modest pass that marks the end of the climb. Altitude remains stable and the route presents no technical difficulty, allowing us to fully take in the view as it opens onto the wide Laddjujohka Valley.

Snow-covered plains often host herds of reindeer, and with some luck, we may glimpse a moose moving through the winter landscape. The setting is unmistakably Nordic: jagged mountains rising toward Kebnekaise surround us, reinforcing the wild character of the region. Frozen waterfalls punctuate the route, enhancing the Arctic atmosphere as we progress. We move at an easy pace, with regular stops to observe the wildlife and scenery.

By late afternoon, we reach the Singi hut, nestled in a sheltered clearing, where calm surroundings and soft evening light invite relaxation before the final stage.

On this final day, we follow the wooded valley of the Láddjujohka River, beginning with a gentle two-kilometre descent before reaching mostly flat terrain.

As we move forward, we take time to look back at the Kebnekaise massif, its sharp peaks standing out clearly on the horizon, a final reminder of the heart of the Far North.

The trail leads to Nikkaluokta, a traditional stopping point with a long history tied to reindeer trading, where Sámi culture is deeply embedded in the landscape.

After a pause to absorb the unique atmosphere of the place, we return to Kiruna by shuttle. This mining town north of the Arctic Circle marks the end of our Kungsleden crossing.