Signature Trail Kungsleden Hemavan is one of STF’s signature trails.
The County Administrative Board of Västerbotten will replace the bridges on Kungsleden between the Syter Mountain Hut and the Tärnasjö Mountain Hut during the summer of 2021. The bridges will be temporarily replaced with rowing boats and the work is expected to last throughout the summer. More information in Swedish can be found at the County Administrative Board.
The entire hike is in Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve. The purpose of the reserve is to preserve a South Sami mountain area where almost all types of nature that are characteristic of the Swedish mountains are represented. The hike takes you through all of the different alpine hardiness zones, from low to high alpine. The trail starts with an ascent to Viterskalet. It continues through the Syterskalet valley, where the contrast between the lush valley and the steep, majestic, mountainous slopes either side has to be experienced. Both bird-watchers and anglers stop off by the lake Tärnasjön. The next to last day is the longest and passes the second highest point along Kungsleden. The final stretch to Ammarnäs slopes gently downhill. The majority of the stages are a reasonable length, giving you time to take a nap, go fishing and pick berries along the way. All mountain cabins have shops where you can buy supplies, allowing you to keep your backpack light.
See and do along the trail
Visit naturum in Hemavan. Go fishing in Tärnasjön or pick berries and mushrooms along the trail. You pass Vindelfjällen’s highest peak, the elegant Norra Sytertoppen, 1 768 metres above sea level. Add an extra day and climb it!
Don’t miss
There is very rich bird-life in Vindelfjällen, bring a bird book that is easy to carry, unless you are already an expert!
Sleep here the first night: STF Hemavan Mountain Station and STF Hemavan Mountain Centre
Day 1: Hemavan-Viterskalet: 11 kilometres, 3–4 hours of hiking.
Stay here: STF Viterskalet Mountain Cabin
The trail starts in Hemavan’s ski area at the south entrance of Kungsleden. After an uphill section, you walk into the Syterskalet valley which is lined with steep mountains. The section finishes with a hike on flat ground above the tree-line along the rippling stream Syterbäcken.
STF Mountain Cabin Viterskalet has a magnificent location in the middle of the U-shaped valley that divides the Storfjället mountain range. Water can be taken from streams along the trail. The cabin has a mountain shop.
Day 2: Viterskalet-Syter, 12 kilometres, 3–4 hours of hiking.
Stay here: STF Syter Mountain Cabin
The bulk of this stage takes you through the spectacular U-shaped valley Syterskalet. You hike through a lush landscape framed by steep rocky walls. The last kilometres are downhill. STF Syter Mountain Cabin is situated in beautiful surroundings by the stream Svärfarsbäcken at the northern end of Storfjället. Water can be taken from streams along the trail. The cabin has a mountain shop.
Day 3: Syter-Tärnasjö, 14 kilometres, 4–5 hours of hiking.
Stay here: STF Tärnasjö Mountain Cabin
The stage starts flat and then continues downhill through a mountain birch forest. Four kilometres from the start, you reach the unique archipelago in the lake Tärnasjön. The lake and the hundreds of islets in it, which were formed by a Rogen moraine, are crossed via seven bridges. The stage is ends in a mountain birch forest by the eastern shore of Tärnasjön. The entire stage is easy hiking.
Water can be taken from streams along the trail. The cabin has a mountain shop.
Day 4: Tärnasjö-Serve, 14 kilometres, 4–5 hours of hiking.
Stay here: STF Serve Mountain Cabin
The stage starts with a long uphill walk. You walk out of the birch forest and into a winding valley where you pass a number of small lakes. After some flat, boggy terrain, there is another ascent. The section is rolling and goes through easily hiked high points and lakes full of fish. Water can be taken from streams along the trail. STF Mountain Cabin Serve has a mountain shop.
Day 5: Serve-Aigert, 19 kilometres, 5–7 hours of hiking.
Stay here: STF Aigert Mountain Cabin
Another day where the landscape is rolling, with the trail heading uphill and downhill interchangeably. The stage starts with an uphill walk to the foot of the mountain Vuomatjåhkkas, which is also the highest point of the stage. There is a picnic cabin here where you can take a break if the weather is bad. The trail continues towards the mountain Lill-Aigert, from where there is a lovely view down towards Tjulträsket. The last stretch to the cabin follows a rippling stream. Water can be taken from streams along the trail. STF Mountain Cabin Aigert has a mountain shop.
Day 6: Aigert-Ammarnäs, 8 kilometres, 2–3 hours of hiking.
Stay here: Ammarnäs Wärdshus
The last day is a short, easy hike, mostly downhill. You descend through the tree-line and walk through a mountain birch forest to the village of Ammarnäs. At the halfway point, there is a beautiful view of the Ammarnäs delta. The last stretch goes along a gravel road. Ammarnäs is served by regional buses. There is also a shop and a restaurant.
Both Hemavan and Ammarnäs are on the rail network (SJ and in summer also Inlandsbanan) to Vännäs followed by regional buses. Direct buses from Stockholm to Hemavan are also available. Transport back from Ammarnäs to Hemavan at the end of the hike is by regional bus.
"Passing the Tärnasjö delta via the seven bridges, with a view out over hundreds of islets, that was a memorable experience."
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