Kebnekaise - a round trip
Impressive peaks, cliffs, and large glaciers line your path across the heaths around Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise. You hike in a high alpine area, and STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station is a natural start and endpoint. The tour is highly varied and may offer the most awe-inspiring experience the Swedish mountains have to offer. Along the way, you will sleep comfortably in our mountain cabins.
Kebnekaise circuit, in short
Map of Kebnekaise circuit
Several sections are off the marked trail. This map is a planning tool and should not replace a physical map and compass. The service “Naturkartan” is operated by a company called “Outdoor map”. Please note that trail information is owned and updated by the respective trail administrator (e.g. municipality or county administrative board).
Discover Kebnekaise
The Kebnekaise massif is Sweden’s most high-alpine environment, challenged only by Sarek. You can hike around the entire mountain massif and experience everything from Sámi settlements to glaciers. STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station is the natural start and endpoint, but you can also begin your journey in Nikkaluokta and hike to STF Vistas Mountain Cabin via Vistas Valley.
The hike is one of the most varied in the Swedish mountains. You’ll walk through different types of landscapes almost every day—from flat valleys flanked by dark cliffs to expansive mountain valleys with towering peaks right beside you.
In some cultures, walking around a high mountain is considered a sacred act. The journey around Kebnekaise can therefore be both a physical and spiritual experience.
Reindeer herding takes place in the area, and it is important to show respect. Read more about the reindeer’s territory.
See and do along the trail
End your stay with a climb of the mountain you’ve just hiked around. You can easily book guided tours at the mountain station.
Don’t miss
When hiking the stretch between Nallo and Sälka, you’ll pass the mountain Tjäktjatjåkka. Near the summit is one of Sweden’s highest lakes, located 1,506 meters above sea level. The area is definitely worth a detour (no marked trail is available).
Transport to the trail
The trail is described from STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station, which you reach by hiking from Nikkaluokta. Boat transport is available for part of the way (read more about boat transport along the route).
There are train connections to Kiruna, from where you take a bus to Nikkaluokta with Hörwalls Buss. The trip takes about 1.5 hours, and you can find timetable information at Nikkaluoktaexpressen.
Book your train journey via SJ. Search for your trip all the way from your departure point to your final destination, in this case, Nikkaluokta. This way, you will see departures that match different modes of transport: both train and bus. You also have a travel guarantee, ensuring that any delays won’t affect your ability to reach your destination.
Book multiple accommodations at the same time
If you want to book multiple accommodations in one booking, the easiest way to do it is by opening each accommodation in separate tabs in your web browser. Then, choose the dates for each accommodation, the number of people, and proceed until you see that your accommodation has been added to the cart. All your selections are saved in the same cart, even if you are working in different tabs. When you are ready to pay, proceed to payment in any of the tabs, and all your selections will be included. Your selections are saved for a total of 30 minutes.
Sections of Kebnekaise Circuit
Below are descriptions of different accommodations, stages with distances, and other relevant hiking information.
Of course, it is perfectly fine to hike in the opposite direction from how the stages are presented.
Section 1: STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station–STF Tarfala Mountain Cabin
8 kilometers, 4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Tarfala Mountain Cabin
The first two kilometers of this stage are easy to walk. After crossing the bridge over Darfáljohka, the trail turns into Tafala Valley and becomes steeper for a few kilometers. First, you hike through mountain birch forest, followed by a vast stone field. Areas with loose stones are common. The Tarfala cabin is surrounded by towering mountain walls next to Lake Darfáljávri.
Section 2: STF Tarfala Mountain Cabin–STF Vistas Mountain Cabin
20 kilometers, 8-10 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Vistas Mountain Cabin
Note that this stage includes a steep uphill climb at the start, the terrain can be very rocky in places, and there are unmarked routes. Therefore, you should be an experienced hiker.
At STF Tarfala Mountain Cabin, the marked trail ends. You continue hiking north from Tarfala Research Station, located a kilometer back along the trail. From there, a recommended route takes you up between two mountain peaks. During the first half of the stage, to the Kaskasavagge rest cabin, you climb up to 1,600 meters above sea level. You are in a high alpine environment, where the weather can change quickly, requiring extra caution. From the highest point, a long descent leads to the rest cabin. From here, you round Mount Palkastak, and a little later, you enter the Vistas Valley with its mountain birch forests and heaths.
Section 3: STF Vistas Mountain Cabin–STF Nallo Mountain Cabin
10 kilometers, 4–5 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Nallo Mountain Cabin
Today’s trail is also not a marked mountain trail, either on the map or in the mountains. However, it is well-trodden, and many have placed stones on cairns, making the path easy to follow. You hike out of the mountain birch forest and into the mighty mountain walls of the Stuor Reaiddavaggi Valley. Your view ahead is the sharp peak of Mount Nállu. You will have to wade across Nallojohka, but it is usually easy. Just at the foot of the pointed Mount Nállu, the trail runs closely along the stream. Stay on the northern side all the way to STF Nallo Mountain Cabin. Cairns and other markers show where to wade one last time before you reach the cabin.
Section 4: STF Nallo Mountain Cabin–STF Sälka Mountain Cabin
10 kilometers, 4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Sälka Mountain Cabin
This is the last day of hiking on an unmarked mountain trail (neither on the map nor in the mountains). However, this section is well-trodden and easy to follow. You are surrounded by steep mountains, with peaks around 1,900 meters above sea level. A couple of kilometers after Nallo, the grassy heath gives way to rocks, and the trail becomes more difficult to walk. On the way to Sälka, you will need to wade several times, the longest crossing being 300 meters. Before reaching the destination, you will cross a large grassy heath.
Section 5: STF Sälka Mountain Cabin–STF Singi Mountain Cabin
12 kilometers, 3–4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Singi Mountain Cabin
The hike takes you through the Tjäktjavagge Valley, which becomes quite broad here. Many people walk off the trail and choose their own paths across the mountain heaths. This section is easy to hike, and the views are captivating, especially of Kebnekaise’s northern peak and the impressive Drakryggen.
There are plenty of natural rest spots along the way. A reliable option in harsher weather is the shelter at Kuoperjåkka. You will cross many streams on wooden bridges, and before reaching STF Singi Mountain Cabin, the trail becomes twistier and rockier. Near Singi lies the summer settlement of Kårtjevuolle, with Sámi tents and reindeer enclosures.
Section 6: STF Singi Mountain Cabin–STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station
15 kilometers, 4–6 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station
Here you leave the Kungsleden trail. The hike between STF Singi Mountain Cabin and STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station takes you through the narrow and at times dramatic Laddjuvagge Valley. Between Singi and Kebnekaise, you will find several of the country’s most classic climbing routes, such as Siluetten on Toulpagorni. The first kilometers gradually ascend before you reach Lake Lassajaure and the valley itself. The views here are grand in both directions.
The journey continues eastward toward the imposing passage between the steep walls of Singitjåkka and Skárttoaivi. Once you pass through the narrow part of the Laddjuvagge Valley, the landscape opens up. The last few kilometers toward STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station traverse sloping and partly rocky terrain.
Trail markers
In the mountains, you need to be aware of which trail markers apply. There are various markers to consider, depending on the area and season.
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