The Lapplandsleden (English: Lappland Trail) is a long-distance hiking trail in Swedish Lapland, inaugurated around 2021. Spanning roughly 190 kilometres (120 mi), it connects Borgafjäll in the south (in Dorotea) to Hemavan in the north, where it joins the famous Kungsleden (King's Trail). This connection allows for a continuous trek from Borgafjäll all the way to Abisko, traversing the heart of the Lapland mountain range. Expect diverse landscapes, from open birch forests and marshlands to expansive alpine plateaus. Most of the trail is above the tree line.
Understand
[edit]Prepare
[edit]The summer trail is marked with orange signs, while the winter route follows red crosses. Always stick to the summer route in warmer months to avoid impassable bogs and water crossings.
Unstaffed huts along the Lapplandsleden are operated by Länsstyrelsen Västerbotten. Payment (200 SEK per person per night, free for children under 15) is made afterward via bank transfer (IBAN: SE19 1200 0000 0128 1010 8390, BIC: DABASESX, reference: 21149) or SWISH for Scandinavian accounts.
Huts provide wood-burning stoves, cooking equipment, mattresses, pillows, and blankets, but a sleeping bag liner – and ideally a sleeping bag and mattress—are recommended. Bring your own toilet paper, as it is usually not supplied.
Visitors must clean the hut, restock firewood, fully extinguish fires, and secure the door before leaving. Water sources are available at all huts, and wastewater should be disposed of at designated Slask areas.
Mobile coverage is unreliable, but some huts have emergency telephones.
Get in
[edit]Hemavan has an airport with connection to Stockholm. Reaching it with train and bus is also possible.
Borgafjäll is reachable with train or bus to either 1 Dorotea 
or 2 Strömsund , and bus from there. Dorotea is on Inlandsbanan (with trains in summer); Strömsund is 5 km from Ulriksfors on Inlandsbanan, with connecting bus from there.
Walk
[edit]
Hemavan - Atoklimpen
[edit]- Distance
- 39.5 km
- Duration
- 11 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 757 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 647 m
The trail begins in the small village of 1 Hemavan, the southern terminus of the Kungsleden trail. As hikers leave Hemavan, the landscape gradually shifts from gentle terrains to more rugged environments. The trail enters the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, one of Europe's largest protected areas, showcasing a diverse range of ecosystems, from open fells to dense forests.
The route continues to the remote waypoint of Goeblejaevrie before reaching Atoklimpen, 1,006 m (3,301 ft), a sacred site for the Sami people. The area around Atoklimpen is part of a cultural reserve, reflecting its historical importance.
Atoklimpen - Arevattnet
[edit]- Distance
- 19.9 km
- Duration
- 6 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 612 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 598 m
The Deavna rastskydd cabin is available here, off the trail. The journey contiues towards Arevattnet stuga.
- 1 Deavna rastskydd. Emergency cabin
- 4 Arevattnet stuga. Two bunk beds sleep 4-6, with wider lower bunks.
Arevattnet - Gränssjö
[edit]- Distance
- 27.5 km
- Duration
- 8½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 906 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 834 m
Good camping spots can be found near a small pond at Aamere's ridge, on lush meadows before the trail drops towards Skalvattnet, and at the outlet of Skalvattnet lake. Water sources are limited. Alternatively, you can camp by the road at Vapstälven, which is around 8 km from the Gränssjö campsite.
- 2 Gränssjöarna. Camping with small kiosk
Gränssjö - Åtnikstugan
[edit]- Distance
- 21.4 km
- Duration
- 6 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 430 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 408 m
From here, the route leads toward Durrenskalet rastskydd, another cabin available along the way. As the trail progresses, hikers pass through varied landscapes, including denser birch forests and stretches of open fjäll. The final segment descends gently towards Åtnikstugan.
- 3 Durrenskalet rastskydd. Wind shelter
- 5 Åtnikstugan. Space for ~10 to sleep on the floor. A locked room is reserved for staff.
Åtnikstugan - Klimpfjäll
[edit]- Distance
- 38.4 km
- Duration
- 10½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 598 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 712 m
The trail begins at Åtnikstugan and initially features varied terrain, including challenging undulations, bouldery sections, and several river crossings. Hikers will also encounter double-wooden planks over boggy areas and some small boggy patches to traverse. Halfway to the next cabin, a brief detour onto Stekenjokkvägen is possible. It temporarily diverges from the main trail before rejoining it later, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding wilderness.
Continuing onward, the trail passes Tjåkkelestugan before reaching Slipsikstugan, located in an alpine landscape above the tree line. The stage descends gradually and ends in 6 Klimpfjäll .
Klimpfjäll is one of the few places where it's possible to get a good resupply at the Handlar'n grocery store. Be sure to stock up before you set off!
- 7 Tjåkkelestugan. Six beds in the main cabin, two in a smaller one. Loft sleeping possible in summer.
- 4 Slipsikstugan. Unlocked cabin with bunk beds for 4-6. No reservations.
Klimpfjäll - Borgafjäll
[edit]- Distance
- 38 km
- Duration
- 10½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 647 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 666 m
The terrain in this section is mixed, with potential for rocky and marshy areas. It's advisable to be prepared for wet conditions, as some areas may be flooded.
From here, the trail continues to Geartoe rastskydd before progressing through varied terrain, including forested sections and open landscapes. The stage ends in 8 Borgafjäll, a small mountain village known for its scenic surroundings.
An optional “Art Route” (Konstvägen) detour is available, featuring artworks like Per Enoksson's “A Good Night's Sleep” and Tomas Colbengtson's “Signpost.” This detour can be started either at the bus garage in Saxnäs or from the parking area at 3 Satsfjället.
- 9 Geartoe rastskydd. Emergency cabin
Stay safe
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Kungsleden - Continues north to Abisko and Björkliden.
- Green Ribbon - Lapplandsleden can be traveled as a section of the Green Ribbon, which extends south to Grövelsjön.