Södra Kungsleden is a hiking trail that runs through Sweden's southern mountain region, in Dalarna, Härjedalen and Jämtland, near the border to Norway. It officially extends for about 350 km between Sälen in the south and Storlien in the north, but the name is mainly used in Dalarna (180 km).
Understand
[edit]- See also: Hiking in the Nordic countries, Right to access
The trail is a southern extension to the older and more famous Kungsleden, and part of the E1 Long Distance Path. It was laid out in the 1990s.
Södra Kungsleden passes through scenic areas such as Transtrandsfjällen, Fulufjället National Park with Sweden's highest waterfall Njupeskär, and the ancient tree Old Tjikko. The trail also crosses Drevfjällen, Grövelsjön, and the Långfjället highlands. In Härjedalen, it traverses the lake-studded Rogen area, while in Jämtland it reaches the alpine landscapes of Sylarna.
This is a moderately challenging trail for hikers with multi-day experience and appropriate fitness, with generally moderate ascents and descents outside of specific challenging sections. Motor vehicles are not allowed, and snowmobiles must stay on marked routes. Reindeer are common along the trail; keep a respectful distance.
Prepare
[edit]Södra Kungsleden runs through remote mountain terrain, so thorough preparation is essential. Bring proper hiking gear suited for changing weather, including rain protection and warm layers, even in summer.
To avoid getting lost, it is essential to carry a detailed map, a compass, and a GPS device or an offline navigation app, as trail markings can be unreliable and fog is a frequent occurrence in higher elevations. Given that mobile reception is often unreliable in remote locations, solo hikers should carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) or an emergency beacon.
In forested and marshy regions, mosquitoes and gnats can be a significant nuisance, so carrying insect repellent and a head net is highly recommended.
Eat
[edit]Some huts have small shops where you can purchase basic provisions like pasta, crispbreads, dried milk, and tinned fish. This makes it possible to carry less food, but you should not rely on them completely. You will need to bring a camping stove and your own cooking facilities as the huts provide propane stoves, pots, pans, and utensils, but you must prepare your own meals. If you have strict dietary restrictions, it is best to carry all your food for the entire trip.
Drink
[edit]Potable water is generally abundant along the trail. The water in the mountain streams and lakes is usually clear, clean, and safe to drink without treatment. However, it's always wise to exercise caution. The recommended methods for purifying water are boiling, using a water filter, or chemical purification tablets.
Sleep
[edit]You can either stay in the mountain huts or wild camp along the trail. The huts provide a bed with a pillow and blanket, but you are required to bring your own sleeping bag, travel sheet, or duvet cover for hygiene. The huts are unheated and have no running water or electricity. In the summer, you will need a sleeping bag rated for cold nights, as temperatures can drop, even if it's not freezing. If you choose to wild camp, you must bring a tent, a sleeping mat, and a warm sleeping bag. Many areas along the trail offer excellent spots to pitch a tent.
Climate
[edit]The best time to hike Södra Kungsleden is during the short summer season, from late June to early September. Even in summer, the weather can change quickly. You can expect temperatures to range from 10−20 °C, but they can drop to near freezing. Heat waves are starting to become more common as well. Autumn, in September, is also a beautiful time to hike, with fewer people and vibrant fall colors.
You should be prepared for all types of weather, including rain and wind. Essential equipment includes waterproof clothing, a good layering system, and waterproof hiking boots. You should also be prepared for a high number of mosquitoes and other insects, particularly in July. A head net and insect repellent are highly recommended.
Get in
[edit]- The southern terminus of the trail is at Högfjällshotellet in Sälen, at the ski resort. The village 1 Sälen is down in the valley. It can be reached by Road 66. It comes in from Malung in the south, on E45, and continues to Norwegian road 25, in turn coming in from Elverum in the west. Scandinavian Mountains Airport (Sälen Trysil Airport SCR IATA), between Sälen and the border to Norway, 20 km from Högfjället, has domestic and international flights during winter and spring, and some domestic flights in summer. The nearest year-round international airport is in Oslo. Oslo is 220 km from Sälen, drive via Elverum.
- The northern terminus of the trail is at Storliens Fjällgård, which is to the southeast of the village of 2 Storlien. Storlien has night trains from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. It is 73 km from Trondheim, which has an international airport.
Walk
[edit]
Sälen - Närfjällsstugan
[edit]- Distance
- 20.3 km
- Duration
- 5½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 306 m
The trail begins at Sälen Högfjellshotel and climbs gently through forest before reaching open highlands. It continues across moorland and rocky terrain. Östfjällstugan, located by the lake Östfjällstjärnen, appears early on. The stage ends at Närfjällsstugan, a rest cabin in the Norra Transtrandsfjällen Nature Reserve.
Närfjällsstugan - Björnholmsstugan
[edit]- Distance
- 24.4 km
- Duration
- 7½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 696 m
From Närfjällsstugan, the trail descends into the scenic Görälven valley and crosses a suspension bridge. It then climbs through moorland and sparse birch forest, offering wide, open views. Rest stops are available at the cabins in Granfjällsätern and Lillbäckstugan. The stage finishes at Björnholmsstugan, beautifully located in Fulufjället National Park.
Björnholmsstugan - Tangsjöstugan
[edit]- Distance
- 22.1 km
- Duration
- 6 h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 261 m
Leaving Björnholmsstugan, the trail passes Tangådalsstugan and enters increasingly open terrain. It continues toward Tangsjöstugan, a remote cabin near the shores of Tangsjö Lake. Just before reaching the lake, hikers will find the smaller Lilla Tangsjöstugan, offering another place to rest in this quiet and scenic area.
Tangsjöstugan - Rösjöstugorna
[edit]- Distance
- 9.4 km
- Duration
- 2½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 195 m
The trail from Tangsjöstugan leads towards Rösjöstugorna. A notable highlight along this stage is 1 Njupeskär 
, Sweden's highest waterfall, located near the cabins. The area surrounding the waterfall features well-marked paths and is part of a protected nature reserve.
Beyond the waterfall, the trail follows the western edge of the Fulufjället plateau, passing near the protected site of 12 Old Tjikko . The exact tree is unmarked and off-trail to prevent damage.
- 13 Rösjöstugorna.
Rösjöstugorna - Gördalen
[edit]- Distance
- 11.8 km
- Duration
- 3½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 274 m
The trail descends from Fulufjället to the valley village of 14 Gördalen, transitioning from alpine terrain to dense forest. Departing Rösjöstugorna, the trail heads northwest and descends through birch forest. A reindeer fence marks the exit from Fulufjället National Park. Below the park, the route follows the Fulan River valley. Gördalen offers options for camping, cabin rentals, and a restaurant.
- 15 Harrsjöstugan.
Gördalen - Id-Persätern
[edit]- Distance
- 17.6 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 152 m
From Gördalen, the route heads north into Drevfjällen, a remote and rarely visited highland region. It starts along a short section of dirt road before turning onto a trail that climbs through pine and birch forest, passing Gröningshållan along the way. The stage ends at Id-Persätern.
Id-Persätern - Busjön
[edit]- Distance
- 16.9 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 185 m
You follow the western border route through Drevfjällen. The trail from Id-Persätern heads northwest, staying close to the Norwegian border, often just a few kilometers east of it. Early on, you'll pass sites with evocative names. One is Trollkäringsboden (“Witch's Hut”), a small cabin located about 8 km from the start. Around 13 km in, you reach Röskåsen. From here, the trail begins to rise gently over a low ridge.
Natural highlights include views toward Norway. On clear days, you may spot the rounded peaks of Femundsmarka National Park just across the border. The path then leads to Motståndskojan ("Resistance Hut"). This tiny log shelter, built in 1944, served as a hideout and contact point for Norwegian resistance fighters during World War II.
From Motståndskojan, it is a short walk of about 1.5 km to Busjön, a small lake and the location of your destination, Busjön raststuga.
Busjön - Flötningen
[edit]- Distance
- 13 km
- Duration
- 3½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 42 m
Continuing north, the trail first follows the shore of Busjön lake. At about 6 km, you reach Gårdsjödalen, where a wind shelter sits amid grass clearings. As you continue, the terrain rises over a low ridge and then descends towards 21 Flötningen, a tiny settlement at the Norwegian border.
The hamlet straddles the border, with Drevsjø on the Norwegian side. Despite its small size, it has a cross-border feel. Resupply here may be necessary, though prices are high and the next full store is several days away.
- 22 Gårdsjön.
Flötningen - Skärvagan
[edit]- Distance
- 8.1 km
- Duration
- 2 h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 31 m
This short stage is a gentle trek to Skärvagan wind shelter. The trail heads north from Flötningen, initially along a dirt track before narrowing to a path. Soon you cross into Härjedalen, which is part of Jämtland County, a milestone, as the Södra Kungsleden officially spans into a new region here. The landscape is rolling forest with occasional clearings.
- 23 Skärvagan wind shelter.
Skärvagan - Guttudalskojan
[edit]- Distance
- 10.2 km
- Duration
- 2½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 115 m
After Skärvagan wind shelter, you'll travel into the Guttudalen valley. One natural landmark is the crossing of Guttudalsån, which you'll encounter about mid-stage. The stage ends at Guttudalskojan.
- 24 Guttudalskojan.
Guttudalskojan - Grövelsjön
[edit]- Distance
- 20.6 km
- Duration
- 5½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 237 m
The trail starts on a forest track, climbing through dense woodland before emerging onto open moorland with wide views of the surrounding mountains. Emergency shelters along the way include Valdalsbygget, Olåns emergency cabin, and Olåns wind shelter, where overnight stays are generally allowed. The route ends with a descent into the valley, arriving at the Grövelsjön Mountain Station at 816 m (2,677 ft), a base for several hiking trails.
- 25 Valdalsbygget emergency cabin.
- 26 Olåns emergency cabin.
- 27 Olåns wind shelter.
- 28 Grövelsjön Mountain Station.
Grövelsjön - Storrödtjärn
[edit]- Distance
- 19.7 km
- Duration
- 5½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 386 m
The trail heads northeast across the Långfjället plateau. After a short distance, it passes an information board about Carl Linnaeus's 1734 visit and a nearby falcon trapping site. Around 5 km in, the path reaches its highest point just south of Jakobshöjden, with clear views of Storvätteshogna 1,204 m (3,950 ft). It then descends toward Hävlingen, passing Särsjöbäcken at about 8 km, where a viewpoint overlooks Töfsingdalen National Park and Lake Hävlingen.
Continuing, the trail follows a moraine ridge between Hävlingen and Särsjön, with shelter available at Särsjöbäcken. Further on, Kronstugan offers an additional rest stop. The route passes through forest before ascending to the wind shelter at Slagusjön. The final stretch to Storrödtjärn Mountain Cabin in Långfjällets Nature Reserve is rocky and uneven.
- 1 Särsjöbäcken (250m off trail eastward).
- 29 Kronstugan.
- 30 Slagusjön.
- 31 Storrödtjärn Mountain Cabin.
Storrödtjärn - Rogen
[edit]- Distance
- 15.5 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 251 m
The trail descends through open moraine terrain to a shelter near the southeastern tip of Lake Rogen. It continues across block fields and patches of birch and spruce forest, then follows the west side of Fisklöstjärnen and climbs along Tandsjövålen's southern slopes to the stage's high point. From there, it descends through sparse spruce forest to a bridge over the Tandån stream. At a junction north of Tandån, the trail turns onto a headland and ends at Rogen Mountain Cabin in Rogen Nature Reserve. This area is known for its unique glacial formations and sparse coniferous forests.
- 32 Rogen Mountain Cabin.
Rogen - Skedbro
[edit]- Distance
- 17.9 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 16 m
The route passes Broktjärnskojan, skirts the southern side of the 1,000 m (3,300 ft) Bustvålen summit before reaching a trail junction where it diverges southward toward Svukuriset in Norway and northward toward Skedbro. The final stretch to Skedbro Mountain Cabin includes boarded walkways over marshes and rough passages, but also heaths that make for easier walking.
Skedbro - Fjällnäs
[edit]- Distance
- 28.8 km
- Duration
- 8 h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 424 m
The trail passes into the rocky terrain of Rogen Nature Reserve and climbs toward Storvigeln 1,561 m (5,121 ft), the highest peak in the area. From the summit, there are expansive views of Jämtlandsfjällen and Femundsmarka. The route then descends through birch forest past Lake Bolagen, ending at the village of 35 Fjällnäs.
Fjällnäs - Fältjägare
[edit]- Distance
- 31.5 km
- Duration
- 9 h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 648 m
From Fjällnäs, the Southern Kungsleden Trail heads a road leading to 36 Ramundberget, a notable ski resort offering various amenities. Beyond the intersection, Fjällnäs Spårtorg is available off trail. The journey continues to Fältjägare Mountain Cabin, which provides a rustic shelter for rest. On the way, the trail crosses the Ljusnan river, which runs through Ramundberget as well. There are two wind shelters here. The trail continues to Fältjägare Mountain Cabin.
- 37 Fjällnäs Spårtorg (50m off trail).
- 38 Klinken wind shelter.
- 39 Klinken wind shelter.
- 40 Fältjägare Mountain Cabin.
Fältjägare - Helags
[edit]- Distance
- 12.2 km
- Duration
- 3½ h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 317 m
The trail begins with a short steep descent, then levels out across dry mountain heath. After a few kilometers, Helags Mountain Station becomes visible in the distance. A gentle 1-km ascent leads to a reindeer fence at the ridge crest, offering wide views over the Härjedalen mountains, including Predikstolen to the west.
- 41 Helags Mountain Station.
Helags - Sylarna
[edit]- Distance
- 19.6 km
- Duration
- 5 h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 63 m
The trail follows the Handölan River toward the Mieskentjakke shelter. From there, it splits into two routes. The more demanding option is the Ekorrpasset route, which climbs through a dramatic U-shaped pass with steep mountain walls and alpine terrain. The alternative is the shorter eastern route, which leads between Herrklumpen and Kläppen. Both paths eventually descend to the Sylälven River, where the trail concludes at Sylarnas Mountain Station. In certain areas, especially around Ekorrpasset, summer trail markings may be unclear, and hikers often follow winter trail indicators instead.
Sylarna - Blåhammaren
[edit]- Distance
- 18.1 km
- Duration
- 5 h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 248 m
There are two additional emergency cabins along this stretch: Gamla Sylen and Enkälen raststuga. From Sylarna, the trail descends for about 3 km before turning west through rolling terrain with occasional rocky areas. It crosses open alpine landscapes with mountain views. About 4 km south of Blåhammaren, a river may require wading in high water. The stage ends with a steady climb to Blåhammarens Mountain Station, one of STF's highest.
- 44 Gamla Sylen. Emergency cabin
- 45 Enkälen raststuga. Emergency cabin
- 1 Blåhammarens Mountain Station.
Blåhammaren - Storlien
[edit]- Distance
- 12.8 km
- Duration
- 4 h
- Cumulative elevation gain
- 573 m
From Blåhammarens Mountain Station, the trail descends steadily for 6 km across open highlands with wide mountain views. It then enters subalpine birch forest with more varied terrain. This historic route once connected Storlien to the southern mountains. The trail is well-marked and maintained, but weather can change quickly. It ends at Storliens Fjällgård.
- 46 Storliens Fjällgård (Storvallen).
Stay safe
[edit]Planning is crucial for a safe hiking trip, as conditions can change rapidly in the wilderness. Hikers should be prepared for sudden shifts in weather, including rain, strong winds, or even freezing temperatures, regardless of the season.
In the event of an emergency, contact ☏ 112, but be aware that rescue services may take a long time to reach you.
While many streams are suitable for drinking, it is best to avoid water sources located near cabins or grazing areas. Visitors might encounter wildlife such as reindeer or moose, and it is important to observe them from a distance and avoid any disturbance. In. Always inform someone of your planned route and expected return time before starting your journey.
Go next
[edit]From the northern end of Södra Kungsleden in Storlien, hikers can continue west into Norway via the border crossing near Blåhammaren to join the Nordlandsruta, or follow the Jämtland Triangle loop. Eastward, the Nidaros Path (St. Olavsleden) pilgrimage trail leads toward Trondheim. At the southern terminus in Sälen, southbound hikers can pick up the Vasaloppsleden summer trail, a historic trail heading toward Mora. For those seeking a longer wilderness journey, it is also possible to connect with the main Kungsleden route by traversing through the Ljungdalsfjällen region and continuing north via overlapping segments of the E1 European Long Distance Path. Or, continue north as part of the Green Ribbon adventure.