Route

The route for the Northern Section of the Kungsleden.
There is really no navigation problem on the main trail. It is both well marked, well worn and well frequented. Several of the significant points on the route are the various mountain huts which are roughly a day's walk apart.

The side route
The side route is well marked with cairns, and is more or less obvious anyway as it follows a couple of river valleys. There is a gentle climb of around 350m from the main trail to where we camped. The climb to the summit from there is about 1000m. Our return trip with plenty of time for food and hot drinks in the shelter near the top took us 11 hours going gently. Daylight is not a restriction in mid August.

From north to south the main points are:

• Abisko Turiststation is where you would most likely arrive if coming by train.
• The gateway to the walk itself is about 700m away from the station.
• The first campsite we used is one of only three places where camping is permitted in the National Park, which lasts less than the first full day of walking. Helpfully it has a small open shelter.
• There is a shelter at the northern end of the second big lake (Alesjaure) which we found useful for lunch on day 2. It is where people taking the boat wait. If you want a boat you need to raise the Yellow flag.
• Alesjaurestugorna
• Tjäktjastugan
• Sälkastugorna
• The junction between Kungsleden and the side track to Kebnekaise via the Western route. This is not the traditional tourist route from Kebnekaise Fjallstation.
• From our camp 5&6 we took three hours to reach the junction between the Western Route and the main route up Kebnekaise. The trail from this point is marked with red paint on the cairns.
• From the col the route to the summit is clearly marked, although the summit itself is snow-covered and very likely icy (see Hazards).
• Singistugorna has very picturesque toilets 
  
• Kaitumjaure - according to the friendly host there is a small beach on the river near here - downstream from the bridge - where you can swim!
• Teusajaure is on the edge of the lake that must be crossed by boat. You can either row yourself (free but you may need to do it three times to ensure a boat is left on both sides) or in a motor boat (100 SEK for a 10min ride).
• About 150m from the southern landing place there is a small shelter with a woodstove.
• Vakkotavare is on the road to Gällivare. There is a bus stop, a toilet and a carpark.