Day 1 - Arrival at Abisko Mountain Station  

Your cross-country ski adventure along Sweden's King’s Trail begins at Abisko Mountain Station. It’s a 100-year-old building in a beautiful, lakeside spot that’s been renovated to include a cosy bar. Cloud 9 will organise one single-timed group transfer from Kiruna Airport. Those traveling independently should arrive in time for an evening trip briefing with your Cloud 9 guide, followed by dinner. Allow time to hire kit and equipment if required.

 

Accommodation: mountain station

Luggage access

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Day 2 - Day tour at Abisko

Let the skiing commence! We start with a day tour in the Abisko area which will give everyone the opportunity to make sure they're happy with all their kit before heading off to the more remote parts of the route, and give you time to re-pack your bags.

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Day 3 - Ski from Abisko to Abiskojaure Hut

Let the skiing commence! Signs for ‘Kungsleden’, as it’s known locally, point to the beginning of the trail. The route has regular waymarkers, useful in low visibility. We’ll travel light with just a daypack, with our main luggage transported by mushers with dog sleds. The trail begins with easy stretches through forests and across frozen rivers. Breaks for hot drinks will be frequent as we get used to the terrain. As our day draws to a close we’ll cross Abisko Lake to reach tonight’s stop, the Abiskojaure Hut. We’ll all help with group tasks, the hut’s sauna is our reward. This is Sweden, after all...

 

Accommodation: mountain hut

Luggage access

Distance: 15km

Skiing: approx 6.5 hrs

Ascent gain / loss: +185m / -75m

 

Day 4 - Ski via the Kama river to Alesjaure Hut

Now we’re warmed up, today’s challenge builds on yesterday’s easy opener. We’ll trace the Kama river and go through the snowy, peak-lined Alis Valley. We might need to put our skins on, depending on the conditions. There’s a wild, high and remote feel to today’s journey which, after a stunning 23km, delivers us to the Alesjaure Mountain Hut. The promise of its warm and rejuvenating sauna will help us power through the afternoon.

 

Accommodation: mountain hut

Luggage access

Distance: 23km

Skiing: approx 8 hrs

Ascent gain / loss: +470m / -150m

 

Day 5 - Ski via the Ales valley to Tjaktja Hut

After yesterday’s champion effort, we’ve got just 13km of snowy ground to cover today. We’ll dive into the gently rolling terrain of the Ales valley, whose slopes gradually get deceptively steeper and require more effort. There are options to take scenic diversions along frozen rivers. Tonight’s stopping point is the highest of all our huts, the Tjaktja Hut at 1040m, with an impressive peak behind it. It’s not uncommon for this region to have a couple of metres of snow - the Swedish wintry wonderland we all came to see.

 

Accommodation: mountain hut

Luggage access

Distance: 13km

Skiing: approx 5.5 hrs

Ascent gain / loss: +290m / -100m

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Day 6 - Ski via the Tjaktja Pass to Salka Hut

Although we hit the highest point of the King’s Trail today, it’s actually after a slow-burner of an ascent. Over our first two hours, we’ll cover 4km yet just 100m to reach the Tjaktja Pass at 1140m. We’ll rest at the summit shelter, enjoying the panoramic views from the col across to the valley ahead. Next, the section you’ve all been waiting for - our first real downhill. Cruising down broad paths, this will take us all the way to Salka Hut for the night. Enjoy the best sauna yet as you reminisce over the day’s tremendous views and dramatic mountains.

 

Accommodation: mountain hut

Luggage access

Distance: 16km

Skiing: approx 6.5 hrs

Ascent gain / loss: +370m / -580m

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Day 7 - Ski via the Tjaktja valley to Singi Hut

Our adventure continues further into the Tjaktja valley, will its rolling hills and undiluted Swedish wilderness. Our goal is the two huts at Singi, located by a scenic lake with a Sami village nearby. The Sami are an indigenous Finno-Ugric people who live in the Sápmi region, located in modern-day northern Norway and Sweden, parts of northern Finland, and Russia’s Kola peninsula. It’s a relatively short day so spend some time reading up on them, exploring the area once we hit the huts, or getting to know the huskies and their handlers.

 

Accommodation: mountain hut

Luggage access

Distance: 12km

Skiing: approx 4.5 hrs

Ascent gain / loss: +80m / -190m

 

Day 8 - Ski via Ladtjo to Kebnekaise Mountain Station

Today we leave the King’s Trail, heading west to strategically exit the wilderness via the Ladtjo Valley en route to the Kebnekaise Mountain Station. Some great news is, it’s mainly downhill, leaving plenty of energy and concentration to spend on the incredible wintry surroundings. At 2117m, Kebnekaise is Sweden’s highest peak. Once we reach the mountain station, the hard work is done and an adrenalin-fuelled treat awaits: a one-hour snowmobile transfer across frozen lake Ladtjo to reunite with our baggage at Nikkaluokta cabin. The communal cooking is now over, let us indulge you with a final celebratory team meal in a local restaurant.

 

Accommodation: mountain station

Luggage access

Distance: 15km

Skiing: approx 5.5 hrs

Ascent gain / loss: +365m / -450m

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Day 9 - Departure day

Your Cloud 9 cross-country ski tour of Sweden’s King’s Trail officially ends after breakfast. We include one group transfer for the hour-long trip back to Kiruna Airport.