Kungsleden Etapp 2: Abiskojaure - Alesjaure

The Kungsleden Etapp 2: Abiskojaure–Alesjaure is a 21 km point-to-point trail in Swedish Lapland, Sweden, gaining roughly 360 m of elevation over one day. Rated moderate, it carries hikers from birch forest above the treeline onto open alpine tundra, ending at a vast green-tinted lake framed by the snow-streaked peaks of the Alesjaure valley.

About the Kungsleden Etapp 2: Abiskojaure–Alesjaure

Stage 2 of the Kungsleden — Sweden's celebrated 440 km "King's Trail" — links the STF hut at Abiskojaure with the STF hut at Alesjaure. It forms part of the National Walking Network (NWN), one of Sweden's major long-distance routes, and sits within the Abisko–Nikkaluokta signature section that draws thousands of trekkers each Arctic summer. The 21 km day covers a single sustained climb of around 360 m followed by gentle valley walking, with only about 60 m of descent overall.

This stage is a study in transition. You begin among low birch and willow scrub on the edge of the Abisko National Park boundary, then climb steadily for the first few hours into the broad Gárddenvággi valley. Once above the treeline the landscape opens dramatically: wide tundra plateaus, scattered ponds, glacial streams and the long silver thread of the Alisjávri lake system. Walkers regularly describe the silence of the high plateau as almost eerie, broken only by wind and running water. The trail surface alternates between gravel paths, boardwalk over bogs and softer muddy stretches where reindeer trails braid across the fells. Distances on the Kungsleden are sometimes still quoted in the old Swedish mil (10 km), so the 21 km of Etapp 2 reads as roughly 2 mil — useful context when comparing local signage and guidebooks.

Because it requires no technical skill and follows a well-marked, well-maintained path, Etapp 2 suits fit first-time fell walkers as well as seasoned thru-hikers chipping away at the full Kungsleden. The main demands are stamina for a 21 km day and self-sufficiency in a remote Arctic environment where the nearest road is many hours away. There is no mobile-phone coverage across most of the plateau, so carry a paper map, a compass and ideally a satellite messenger, and tell the hut warden your onward plans before leaving Abiskojaure. Planning your daily food load matters on a stage this long — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you pack enough fuel without overloading.

Route Overview & Stages

Although Etapp 2 is usually walked as a single day, it divides naturally into three sections defined by the climb out of Abiskojaure, the high plateau, and the lakeside approach to Alesjaure. The optional ferry across Alisjávri can shorten the final leg by around 6 km.

Total walking time runs to roughly 5.5–6 hours at a steady pace, excluding stops. The full Kungsleden gains its rhythm here, and many hikers find Etapp 2 the moment the trail's grand Arctic character truly opens up. Northbound walkers tackling the route in the opposite direction (Alesjaure to Abiskojaure) enjoy a net descent, making it a slightly easier half day, though the views of the valley unfold most dramatically when walking south as described here.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• STF Abiskojaure hut — the staffed starting hut beside lake Ábeskojávri, with a small shop for last-minute supplies before the climb.
• Prayer-flag bridge — a memorable river crossing in the lower birch forest, festooned with weathered Nepalese-style prayer flags left by passing trekkers.
• Gárddenvággi valley — the broad U-shaped glacial valley you climb into, flanked by fells rising on both sides.
• The high plateau — an open expanse of alpine tundra dotted with tarns, famed for its profound silence and 360-degree mountain views.
• Alisjávri lake — the large, distinctly green-tinted lake that mirrors the surrounding peaks; the trail hugs its eastern shore for the final stretch.
• The ferry jetty — a pontoon and shelter about 6 km before Alesjaure where a seasonal boat offers full or bag-only transport across the lake.
• Sami cultural landscape — the Alesjaure area lies within active reindeer-herding land; you may pass herds and traditional grazing grounds.
• STF Alesjaure hut — the stage's endpoint, one of the largest huts on the northern Kungsleden, with a sauna perched above the valley.

Best Time to Hike the Kungsleden Etapp 2: Abiskojaure–Alesjaure

The reliable hiking window runs from late June to mid-September, matching the STF summer hut season. Snow lingers on the higher tundra into mid-June, and bridges along the Kungsleden are typically removed for winter around 20 September, after which the route becomes a marked winter trail for skiers only.

Early summer (late June–early July) brings the midnight sun and lush green fells, but also peak mosquito season — swarms are notorious near the boat landing and the campground past Abiskojaure, so a head net is essential. July offers the warmest, most stable weather, with daytime highs around 12–18 °C, though it is the busiest period on the trail. The single best month is August: insect numbers drop sharply, daylight is still long, water crossings are at manageable levels, and from late August the first autumn colours (the Swedish höstfärger) begin to flush the tundra crimson and gold. As of 2026, STF continues to recommend booking popular August hut nights well in advance because the Abisko corridor remains the most-walked section of the entire trail. Expect rapidly changing Arctic weather year-round — cold rain, wind and sub-zero nights are possible even in midsummer, so pack for all four seasons regardless of the calendar.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Both ends of the stage are served by huts run by the Swedish Tourist Association (STF). A dorm bed in an STF mountain hut such as Abiskojaure or Alesjaure costs roughly €55–€75 per night for non-members, with discounts of around €25 for STF/Hostelling International members. Huts provide bunks, communal kitchens with gas, wood stoves and, at Alesjaure, a sauna; they are not catered, so you carry and cook your own food. Wild camping is permitted under Sweden's allemansrätten (right of public access) once you have left the national park, and pitching near a hut to use its service building typically costs about €15. There is a basic campground roughly 2.5 km past Abiskojaure for those starting late in the day.

Getting There & Back

The gateway is Abisko Turiststation, about a 1.5–2 day walk back down Etapp 1, or directly reachable by the Abisko Östra / Abisko Turiststation railway stations on the Malmbanan line. Direct overnight trains run from Stockholm and Narvik (Norway); the journey from Stockholm takes roughly 18 hours, while Narvik is only about 1.5 hours away by train. The nearest airport is Kiruna Airport (KRN), around 100 km south, with regional buses and trains onward to Abisko in roughly 1.5–2 hours. From Alesjaure, most hikers continue south on Etapp 3 toward Tjäktja, or in summer arrange the lake ferry and onward walking; there is no road access at Alesjaure itself.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike the Kungsleden, and access to the trail is free under Swedish right-of-roam law. You pay only for what you use: hut beds, camping service fees and the optional Alisjávri ferry, which costs in the region of €25–€35 per person for the full crossing. Drones and certain activities are restricted within Abisko National Park, and fires are limited to designated areas — always check current rules with the park authority before you set out.

Gear & Packing List

Etapp 2 is non-technical, but the Arctic setting demands disciplined, lightweight packing. A 40–55 litre pack comfortably carries multi-day hut-to-hut kit; the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 is purpose-built for exactly this Swedish fell terrain, while ultralight trekkers favour the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L or the durable Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider for shedding grams over a long day. If you are still choosing a pack, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares the leading options head to head.

Beyond the pack, prioritise: waterproof jacket and trousers, an insulating mid-layer and warm hat even in July, sturdy trail shoes or boots, a head net and repellent for mosquito season, trekking poles for the muddy plateau, and a sleeping bag rated to at least 0 °C for hut and camp nights. Water is plentiful and safe to drink straight from the mountain streams along the route, so a single bottle and minimal treatment suffice. Carry a power bank too: there is no mains electricity at the huts, and the long Arctic daylight tempts heavy camera and GPS use. A lightweight tarp or single-skin tent extends your options if you plan to wild camp on the plateau rather than push through to Alesjaure in a single stretch.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If Etapp 2 leaves you hungry for more of the King's Trail, the Kungsleden is divided into dozens of bite-sized stages stretching the length of Swedish Lapland, each with its own character of lakes, passes and fell-side huts. The following nearby stages make natural next steps for building a longer itinerary across the network:

• Kungsleden Etapp 13: Vakkotavare – Saltoluokta (Sweden), 30 km
• Kungsleden Etapp 16: Aktse – Pårte (Sweden), 22 km
• Kungsleden Etapp 23: Jäkkvik – Adolfström (Sweden), 22 km
• Kungsleden Etapp 24: Adolfström – Sjnultje (Sweden), 23 km
• Kungsleden Etapp 25: Sjnultje – Ammarnäs (Sweden), 46 km

For a contrasting alpine experience further afield, the dramatic Theth to Valbona trail in Albania offers high passes and mountain hospitality in the Accursed Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Kungsleden Etapp 2?
The hiking season runs from late June to mid-September, when STF huts are open and bridges are in place. August is the single best month: mosquito numbers fall, daylight stays long, river crossings are manageable and the tundra begins turning autumn colours. Snow can linger into mid-June, and the bridges are removed around 20 September for winter.

How difficult is the Abiskojaure to Alesjaure stage?
It is rated moderate and requires no technical skill or scrambling. The main challenges are the sustained 360 m climb in the first few hours, occasional muddy and boggy ground on the plateau, and the simple stamina needed for a 21 km Arctic day. A reasonably fit walker with proper gear can complete it comfortably in 5.5 to 6 hours.

How long does the stage take and how far is it per day?
Etapp 2 is 21 km and is normally walked in a single day of about 5.5 to 6 hours of moving time, excluding breaks. There is no halfway hut, so the whole distance is covered in one push. Taking the optional Alisjávri ferry for the final 6 km shortens the walking day to roughly 15 km on foot.

What accommodation is available along the route?
STF mountain huts sit at both ends — Abiskojaure at the start and Alesjaure at the finish — with dorm beds costing about €55–€75 per night for non-members and discounts for members. Both have kitchens and wood stoves; Alesjaure adds a sauna. Wild camping is free under Swedish right-of-roam law once you leave the national park, with small service fees near huts.

Do I need a permit or fees to hike this trail?
No permit is needed and trail access is free under Sweden's allemansrätten right of public access. You pay only for optional services: hut beds, camping service fees of around €15, and the seasonal lake ferry at roughly €25–€35 per person. Note that drone use and open fires are restricted within Abisko National Park, so check current park rules before departing.

Authoritative planning resources: the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) Kungsleden hub for hut bookings and trail status, and Abisko National Park (Sveriges Nationalparker) for park regulations and seasonal access.