2. Kungsleden, Sweden

Kungsleden, meaning King’s Trail, is the longest and most popular hiking trail in Sweden. It stretches for 440 kilometers (273 miles) from the village of Abisko to the village of Hemavan in the Arctic wilderness. Along the way, the route passes through four national parks, vast expanses of wilderness (including Kebnekaise, the highest mountain in Sweden), and culminates in the northernmost province of Lapland.

The trail features remote and rugged terrain, with snowy mountains, dense birch forests, moorland, glaciers, lakes, and offers exhilarating views of Sweden’s wildest landscapes. Low altitudes and flat terrain coupled with well-maintained trails make Kungsleden suitable for all hikers, even kids. Every 10-20 kilometers you’ll find a mountain hut offering simple accommodation and respite for the night.

There’s plenty of flexibility here; the trail can be hiked both ways, all at once or in sections. If you’re looking for the classic approach, the northernmost section of the trek is the most popular, as it takes hikers through Abisko National Park—famous for its mountain scenery and the Aurora Sky Station, a prime location for viewing the Northern Lights.

About the author

Marko Bucic

57hours Writer and Bouldering Enthusiast

For Marko, literature came first and the outdoors followed. Lermontov took him galloping across the Caucasus, Wordsworth brought him along for a tour of the Lake District, and Conrad sent him sailing down the Congo—but for better or worse, it was 57hours that got him to climb his first route outside. When he’s not penning articles, you can find him in the bouldering gym, taking photos on the streets of Zagreb, or at home brushing up on his Japanese skills.