The Arctic Circle is a bucket-list destination for any adventure traveller with the desire the explore the wildest parts of our world – and that’s why the far north of Sweden, with its awe-inspiring snow coated mountains, dramatic frozen waterfalls, and world-famous Kungsleden, or King’s Trail, needs to be on your radar.
Covering a distance of 290 miles across four national parks in the north of Sweden. In summer, it’s a spectacular walk through blossoming meadows of wildflowers and across shimmering lakes, but in winter, it transforms into one of the world’s premier skiing trails.
You’ll need to be logistically organised and have the right equipment if you need to tackle it in winter, because it’s remote, demanding, but hugely rewarding.
Thankfully, KE Adventure has the perfect nine-day trip to help you explore this winter wonderland, which will see you spend seven days ski-touring along the King’s Trail, through picturesque valleys and across majestic mountain passes with the winter sun resting on the horizon.
Inside the Arctic Circle
Your adventure begins with two nights in Abisko – one of the best places on Earth to admire the technicolour marvel of the Northern Lights – with a day to hone your Nordic Skiing skills before heading out into the wilderness to follow the famous King’s Trail.
It’s a challenging trip, but with snowmobiles carrying most of your kit, you’ll only need a light pack each day as you spend the following six days cutting your way across Sweden’s icy north to a selection of remote mountain huts, some of which have wood-fired saunas for the perfect post-ski relaxation.
You’ll spend your final night at the Kebnekaise Mountain Station, just below the highest peak in Sweden, before climbing aboard snowmobiles for a thrilling journey that’ll see you winding your way across the frozen Ladtjo Lake to the road.
Your ticket to world-class ski-touring
With training providing and a day to hone your skills, there’s no need to have any experience of cross-country skiing to get the most out of this spectacular journey – though you will need a good level of fitness and a basic grasp of how to downhill ski.
If you’ve got those things covered, this trip is surely one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the landscapes and culture of the great, frozen North.
Find out more about skiing the King’s Trail
You can find out how you can ski the King’s Trail yourself with KE Adventure here, or by searching on their website with the trip code SKS.
Fast facts:
Price: £2,165 (without flights)
Duration: Nine days
Accommodation: Mountain huts and mountain stations
Difficulty: Challenging
Location: Sweden
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Sweden and transfer from Kiruna Airport to the first night’s accommodation in Abisko
Day 2: A day of ski touring and acclimatisation around Abisko, while hunting for the Northern Lights
Day 3: Ski into the wilderness along Sweden’s most famous trail to spend the night at the Abiskojaure Hut
Day 4: Follow the Kings Trail alongside the Kama River and through the Alis Valley to Alesjaure
Day 5: Continue along the Alesantno River to take refuge for the night at the cosy 1040m high Tjaktja Hut
Day 6: Cross the Tjaktja Pass at 1140m and head for the Salka Hut
Day 7: Descend into the Tjaktja Valley for a well-deserved rest at the Singi Hut
Day 8: Continue through the Ladtjo Valley to the Kebnekaise Mountain Station
Day 9: Enjoy a snowmobile transfer to Nikkaluokta ahead of your transfer to Kiruna Airport, and back to civilisation
5 more wild winter escapes with KE Adventure
1: Lake Khuvsgul Dog Sled Adventure
A wild winter journey across the ice of Lake Khuvsgul in Mongolia by dog sled. Part of the Pioneer Collection. (Challenging / 15 Days / Trip Code: PXMK)
2: Finland Wilderness Snowshoe Adventure
Snowshoe across the frozen lakes and forested ridges of the Hossa National Park in East Finland. (Moderate / 7 Days / Trip Code: WSF)
3: Queyras Snowshoe Winter Paradise
A one week snowshoeing holiday in the quiet Queyras area of the French Alps. (Moderate / 8 Days / Trip Code: QUY)
4: Bulgarian Snowshoe Adventure
Stay in the heart of Sofia before KE’s snowshoe adventure takes you through the Rila and Vitosha National Parks in Bulgaria. (Moderate / 8 Days / Trip Code: BSA)
5: High Level Pyrenees Snowshoe Holiday
Superb snowshoeing winter activity holiday in France and Spain. (Challenging / 8 Days / Trip Code: PSH)