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Södra Kungsleden
Södra Kungsleden is a hiking trail that runs through Sweden's southern mountain region, in Dalarna, Härjedalen and Jämtland, near the border to Norway. It officially extends for about 360 km between Sälen in the south and Storlien in the north, but the name is mainly used in Dalarna (180 km).
Understand
[edit]The trail is a southern extension to the older and more famous Kungsleden, and part of the E1 Long Distance Path. It was laid out in the 1990s.
Södra Kungsleden passes, among other things, Transtrandsfjällen, Fulufjället National Park with Sweden's highest waterfall Njupeskär and the oldest tree in the Word!, Drevfjällen, Grövelsjön and Långfjället. In Härjedalen, for example, the Rogen area is crossed and in Jämtland, among other areas, the high mountains of Sylarna.
For a mountain trail, Södra Kungsleden is relatively easy to walk. Wheeled motor vehicles are prohibited. Snowmobiles should follow designated tracks. Keep distance to reindeer.
Prepare
[edit]Get in
[edit]The trail leads between the ski resorts Sälen in the south and Storlien in the north.
Road 66 leads by the village and through the ski resort of Sälen. It comes in from Malung in the south, on E45, and continues to Norwegian road 25, in turn coming in from Elverum in the west. Scandinavian Mountains Airport (Sälen Trysil Airport SCR IATA), between Sälen and the border to Norway, 20 km from Högfjället, has domestic and international flights during winter and spring, and some domestic flights in summer. The nearest year-round international airport is in Oslo. Oslo is 220 km from Sälen, drive via Elverum.
Storlien has night trains from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. It is 73 km from Trondheim, which has an international airport.
The trail starts at Högfjällshotellet in Sälen, at the ski resort. The village Sälen is down in the valley.
Walk
[edit]
Sälen - Närfjällsstugan
[edit]- Distance
- 20.3 km
- Duration
- 5½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 306 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 496 m
Starting the Southern Kungsleden Trail from Sälen Högfjellshotel, hikers traverse a mix of forests, wetlands, and open highlands to reach Närfjällsstugan, a basic shelter in a remote setting.
Närfjällsstugan - Björnholmsstugan
[edit]- Distance
- 24.4 km
- Duration
- 7½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 696 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 475 m
From Närfjällsstugan, the trail continues towards Björnholmsstugan, another simple cabin offering a place to rest. The route continues through mixed terrain of forests, wetlands, and open highlands.
- 3 Björnholmsstugan.
Björnholmsstugan - Tangsjöstugan
[edit]- Distance
- 22.1 km
- Duration
- 6 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 261 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 350 m
Leaving Björnholmsstugan, the landscape begins to open up as the trail approaches Tangsjöstugan. Hikers may experience more exposed terrain with views of surrounding peaks.
- 4 Tangsjöstugan.
Tangsjöstugan - Rösjöstugorna
[edit]- Distance
- 9.4 km
- Duration
- 2½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 195 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 211 m
The trail from Tangsjöstugan leads towards Rösjöstugorna. A notable highlight along this stage is 1 Njupeskär 
, Sweden's highest waterfall, located near Rösjöstugorna. The area surrounding the waterfall features well-marked paths and is part of a protected nature reserve, offering an impressive sight.
Rösjöstugorna - Gördalen
[edit]- Distance
- 11.8 km
- Duration
- 3½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 274 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 220 m
From Rösjöstugorna, after potentially visiting Njupeskär waterfall, the final stretch of this part of the trail leads to the village of 6 Gördalen, marking the end of this section.
Gördalen - Id-Persätern
[edit]- Distance
- 17.6 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 152 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 304 m
Departing from Gördalen, the Southern Kungsleden Trail leads towards Id-Persätern, a small resting cabin. This section of the trail passes through forests and open meadows, providing a mix of landscapes.
- 7 Id-Persätern.
Id-Persätern - Busjön
[edit]- Distance
- 16.9 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 185 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 151 m
From Id-Persätern, the trail continues to Busjön raststuga, a modest shelter near a quiet lake, offering a good place to rest before continuing.
- 8 Busjön raststuga.
Busjön raststuga - Flötningen
[edit]Busjön - Flötningen
[edit]- Distance
- 13 km
- Duration
- 3½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 42 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 130 m
Leaving Busjön raststuga, the path leads to 9 Flötningen, a small settlement near the Norwegian border where hikers can find access to essential supplies.
Flötningen - Skärvagan
[edit]- Distance
- 8.1 km
- Duration
- 2 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 31 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 83 m
From Flötningen, the trail continues to Skärvagan wind shelter, a simple wind shelter located in a remote area.
- 10 Skärvagan wind shelter.
Skärvagan - Guttudalskojan
[edit]- Distance
- 10.2 km
- Duration
- 2½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 115 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 40 m
After Skärvagan wind shelter, the trail leads to Guttudalskojan, a basic cabin situated in a forested setting.
- 11 Guttudalskojan.
Guttudalskojan - Grövelsjön
[edit]- Distance
- 20.6 km
- Duration
- 5½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 237 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 135 m
The trail from Guttudalskojan reaches Grövelsjön Mountain Station, a larger facility offering lodging, supplies, and access to nearby outdoor activities.
- 12 Grövelsjön Mountain Station.
Grövelsjön - Storrödtjärn
[edit]- Distance
- 19.7 km
- Duration
- 5½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 386 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 372 m
Moving on from Grövelsjön Mountain Station, hikers arrive at Storrödtjärn Mountain Cabin, a small shelter in a quiet, natural setting. Shortly after leaving the station, the trail crosses into Jämtland County, where the surroundings transition into a mix of birch forests and open highlands.
- 13 Storrödtjärn Mountain Cabin.
Storrödtjärn - Rogen
[edit]- Distance
- 15.5 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 251 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 229 m
After Storrödtjärn Mountain Cabin and crossing into Jämtland County with its birch forests and open highlands, the trail reaches Rogen Mountain Cabin. This cabin is situated in Rogen Nature Reserve, an area characterized by lakes and rocky terrain.
- 14 Rogen Mountain Cabin.
Rogen - Skedbro
[edit]- Distance
- 17.9 km
- Duration
- 4½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 16 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 65 m
From Rogen Mountain Cabin within the Rogen Nature Reserve, the trail continues through the area's distinct landscape of lakes and rocky terrain to Skedbro Mountain Cabin.
- 15 Skedbro Mountain Cabin.
Skedbro - Fjällnäs
[edit]- Distance
- 28.8 km
- Duration
- 8 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 424 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 253 m
The trail from Skedbro Mountain Cabin concludes this extensive section of the Southern Kungsleden at the village of 16 Fjällnäs.
Fjällnäs - Fältjägare
[edit]- Distance
- 31.5 km
- Duration
- 9 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 648 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 614 m
From Fjällnäs, the Southern Kungsleden Trail heads a road leading to 17 Ramundberget, a notable ski resort offering various amenities. Beyond the intersection he journey continues to Fältjägare Mountain Cabin, which provides a rustic shelter for rest. The terrain remains diverse, with hikers traversing alpine landscapes and valleys.
- 18 Fältjägare Mountain Cabin.
Fältjägare - Helags
[edit]- Distance
- 12.2 km
- Duration
- 3½ h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 317 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 173 m
From Fältjägare Mountain Cabin, adventurers reach Helags Mountain Station. This station is situated near Sweden's southernmost glacier and offers lodging and supplies.
- 19 Helags Mountain Station.
Helags - Sylarnas
[edit]- Distance
- 19.6 km
- Duration
- 5 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 63 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 224 m
The trail then leads from Helags Mountain Station to Sylarnas Mountain Station, a known hub for mountain enthusiasts. The path continues through varied alpine landscapes and valleys.
- 20 Sylarnas Mountain Station.
Sylarnas - Blåhammaren
[edit]- Distance
- 18.1 km
- Duration
- 5 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 248 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 514 m
Progressing further from Sylarnas Mountain Station, hikers arrive at Blåhammarens Mountain Station, which is known for its panoramic views and accommodations.
- 21 Blåhammarens Mountain Station.
Blåhammaren - Storlien
[edit]- Distance
- 12.8 km
- Duration
- 4 h
- Elevation gain
- ↥ 573 m
- Elevation loss
- ↧ 312 m
The Southern Kungsleden expedition concludes as the trail from Blåhammarens Mountain Station leads to Storliens Fjällgård (Storvallen), a welcoming retreat in the village of Storlien. Hikers should be prepared for varying weather conditions and ensure they carry appropriate gear and provisions, as some sections may have limited facilities.
- 22 Storliens Fjällgård (Storvallen).
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