Kungsleden Ammarnäs–Hemavan
The southern end of the King’s Trail is Hemavan. From here, you hike through the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, a Lapland in miniature.
This is one of the King’s Trail’s most varied and spectacular sections. The landscape changes constantly, offering forests, vast wetlands, high mountain plateaus, and dramatic alpine peaks. The hike passes through the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, one of Europe’s largest protected areas, created to preserve the South Sámi mountain landscape – where virtually all mountain habitat types are represented.
The stretch between Ammarnäs and Hemavan is one of STF’s signature trails – an especially scenic and quality-assured multi-day hike. Along the way, you stay in STF’s mountain huts, most of which have small shops selling basic provisions.
Visit the Naturum visitor centre in Hemavan, go fishing in Lake Tärnasjön, or pick berries and mushrooms along the trail. You pass the highest peak in Vindelfjällen, the elegant Norra Sytertoppen, rising 1,768 metres above sea level. Add an extra day and make the ascent! Birdlife in Vindelfjällen is exceptionally rich – bring a lightweight bird guide unless you’re already an expert. At STF Tärnasjö Mountain Hut, there is a sauna by the lake. End your fishing or hiking day in unforgettable fashion by running straight from the hot sauna into the cold mountain water.
Reindeer herding is practiced in this area, thank you for showing consideration!
Learn more about how to avoid disturbing the reindeer.
Ammarnäs–Hemavan in short
Map of Kungsleden Hemavan-Ammarnäs
Navigate past map or other external content.This map is a planning tool and should not replace a physical map and compass. The service “Naturkartan” (opens in new tab) 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).
Stages Ammarnäs–Hemavan
Tip! Stay your first night at STF Ammarnäs Wärdshus
Stage 1: Ammarnäs – Aigert
8 km, 2–3 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Aigert Mountain Hut
The first stage is short, only eight kilometres. You start in the village of Ammarnäs at the bridge over the Vindel River and begin with a gentle ascent through mountain birch forest. Halfway up onto the open mountain plateau, the summer trail turns westwards, offering beautiful views over the Ammarnäs delta – considered by many to be one of the finest views along the entire King’s Trail.
The hike continues across the open mountain until you reach STF Aigert Mountain Hut, beautifully situated on a height beside a small lake. Drinking water is available along the trail. The mountain shop offers a Large assortment. If you wish to camp, there are good tent sites opposite the hut, on the other side of the lake.
Stage 2: Aigert – Serve
19 km, 5–7 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Serve Mountain Hut
From STF Aigert Mountain Hut, the trail follows the stream uphill towards Lill-Aigert, where you are rewarded with breathtaking views down towards Lake Tjulträsket. The trail continues across low mountain terrain to the highest point of the stage at Juovvatjåhkka, where there is a shelter. In good weather, you can make a side trip from here to the summit of Stor-Aigert.
The descent to the mountain plateau that follows is quite steep, before the trail climbs again towards the Vuomatjhkkas shelter. The stage ends with a long descent through birch forest. After a few kilometres, you cross the bridge over Servvejuhkka with its impressive waterfall, before reaching STF Serve Mountain Hut. Good camping spots can be found just west of Serve and near Servvejuhkka.
Stage 3: Serve – Tärnasjö
14 km, 4–5 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Tärnasjö Mountain Hut
The trail starts in sparse birch forest and then climbs onto open mountain terrain. About halfway along, you pass the highest point of the stage, around 900 metres above sea level. After a descent, the trail continues across gently rolling terrain, partly consisting of wetlands.
A winding valley between low mountains follows, with several small lakes along the way. After passing a couple of lower mountain passes, the trail gradually descends back into birch forest. The stage ends with a long downhill stretch before reaching STF Tärnasjö Mountain Hut.
Lake Tärnasjön lies close by and invites swimming and fishing. The slopes east of the hut are also well worth a visit for those interested in botany, with rare grasses and sedge species found in the area.
Stage 4: Tärnasjö – Syter
14 km, 4–5 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Syter Mountain Hut
From STF Tärnasjö Mountain Hut, the trail leads through birch forest along the eastern shore of Lake Tärnasjön and continues across boardwalked wetlands. The southern part of the lake forms an archipelago of hundreds of small islets, crossed via seven bridges. Lake Tärnasjön is also an important habitat for many water birds.
From the last bridge, it is four kilometres to STF Syter Mountain Hut. The King’s Trail climbs steeply through birch forest before finishing across flatter terrain. From here, you can see Norra Sytertoppen rising 1,768 metres above sea level.
Stage 5: Syter – Viterskalet
12 km, 3–4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Viterskalet Mountain Hut
You cross Svärfarbäcken via the bridge just west of STF Syter Mountain Hut. The hike begins with a steep ascent over Sjul-Olsaxeln, a spur of Norra Storfjället. The trail then descends to a trail junction – choose the route towards Syterskalet. For many, this lush valley, beautifully nestled between steep rock faces, is one of Vindelfjällen’s most powerful natural highlights. Reindeer herds often graze in the Syterskalet area, so great consideration is required.
When you reach the western opening of the valley, the trail follows Syterbäcken southwards to STF Viterskalet Mountain Hut. There is also an alternative trail from STF Syter Mountain Hut to Viterskalet via Norra Sytertoppen, at 1,768 metres above sea level. This route requires extensive hiking experience and very good weather conditions.
Stage 6: Viterskalet – Hemavan
10 km, 3–4 hours of hiking
Accommodation: STF Hemavan Fjällcenter and STF Hemavan Mountain Station
You leave the hut in Viterskalet and hike southwest between Västra Syterbäcken and the long spur of Södra Sytertoppens. The trail begins with flat walking across open mountain terrain alongside the babbling stream. Please note that reindeer herding takes place in this area and requires consideration.
After a few kilometres, the trail gradually climbs and partly traverses the slopes near Hemavan’s ski area. From here, several route options are available. Most hikers choose the longer route that ends at Hemavan Naturum – the southern gateway to the King’s Trail.
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.
Accomodations along the trail
Visitor calendar
Do you enjoy the tranquility of the mountains? With our visitor calendar, you can get an overview of the general occupancy in this mountain area, giving you the best possible conditions to plan your visit during less busy periods. During times with fewer visitors, we often offer better prices as well. Please note that the visitor calendar only provides an indication and does not account for deviations such as events or holidays.
Week | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hemavan | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | More visitors | More visitors | More visitors | More visitors | More visitors | More visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors |
Viterskalet | Closed | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | More visitors | More visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Closed |
Aigert | Closed | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | More visitors | More visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Closed |
Syter | Closed | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | More visitors | More visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Closed |
Syter | Closed | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | More visitors | More visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Closed |
Tärnasjö | Closed | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | More visitors | More visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Closed |
Serve | Closed | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | Most visitors | More visitors | More visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Few visitors | Closed |
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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