Lapplandsleden Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

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 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 – with about 60% of the trail above the tree line, providing breathtaking panoramic views.

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.

Map of Lapplandsleden

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 64.94111115.2666671 Satsfjället.

The main trail begins at 64.83583315.0833331 Borgafjäll, a small mountain village known for its scenic surroundings. The journey leads through varied terrain, including forested sections and open landscapes.

The first stage concludes at 64.92722214.8522221 Geartoe rastskydd, a basic shelter for overnight stays.

Departing from Geartoe rastskydd, the trail continues toward 65.062514.8041672 Klimpfjäll , a good point to resupply. 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.

Departing from Klimpfjäll, the trail ascends above the tree line, offering alpine landscapes. There is another cabin available on this stretch: 64.98388914.7177782 Slipsikstugan.

The route eventually reaches 65.216714.58333 Tjåkkelestugan, a remote mountain cabin.

Embarking from Tjåkkelestugan, the trail features varied terrain, including challenging undulations, bouldery sections, and several river crossings. You’ll also encounter double-wooden planks over boggy areas and some small boggy patches to traverse.

Approximately halfway, consider a brief detour onto Stekenjokkvägen, a scenic route that temporarily diverges from the main trail before rejoining it later. This detour offers a unique perspective of the surrounding wilderness.

As you approach 65.305914.60714 Åtnikstugan, you might opt for an additional excursion toward the Norwegian border, approximately 5 km off the main route.

The initial segment of the trail ascends gently, offering panoramic views of the surrounding birch forest. As you progress, the terrain transitions into more varied landscapes, including sections of open fjäll and denser birch forests.

Another cabin is available on this stretch: 65.118414.72115 Durrenskalet rastskydd. The route then continues toward 65.42166714.8327786 Gränssjö, a remote settlement along the trail.

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 a relatively short distance (8km) from the Gränssjö campsite.

A key stop here is 65.51666714.5527787 Arevattnet stuga, an option for overnight stays.

Another cabin is available here, off the trail: 65.58333314.6058 Deavna rastskydd. The journey continues toward 65.6814.5930569 Atostugan Atoklimpen, situated near the culturally significant Atoklimpen.

Atoklimpen (1006 m) is a sacred site for the Sami people. The area around Atoklimpen is part of a cultural reserve, reflecting its historical importance. The trail proceeds towards 65.78055614.80416710 Goeblejaevrie, a remote waypoint before the final stretch.

The final leg leads through the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, one of Europe’s largest protected areas. The trail showcases a diverse range of ecosystems, from dense forests to open fells. As hikers approach 65.81407615.101513 Hemavan, the landscape transitions to gentler terrains. Hemavan itself is a small village that serves as the southern terminus of the Kungsleden trail.

Hemavan has an airport with connection to Stockholm. Reaching Stockholm with bus and train is also possible.

Borgafjäll is reachable through a combination of bus and train, either through Dorotea or Strömsund.

• 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.