 Welcome to the Kungslede, also known as the King's Trail, Sweden's longest hiking trail spanning an impressive 440 kilometers from Hemavan to Abisco. This scenic route is a beloved long-distance trail across Europe. In this vlogging series we invite you to join us on our journey of the section from Krikjok to Saltelukta. As we venture above the Arctic Circle for the first time we're stepping into a whole new world, one filled with vast landscapes, majestic reindeer and the mesmerizing northern lights. Let's discover the magic of the Kungslede together. Good morning from the Kungslede day one. Yeah we're right now in Sweden we are starting in Krikjok. It's early September and we can already see the fall colors and it's beautiful here so we're really excited we are very lucky with the weather we brought all our gear and we're gonna show you this beautiful trip. On this first day we are hiking from the STF station at Krikjok towards our first campsite in Porten which is a 16 kilometer stretch but first things first we are weighing our backpacks on the famous scale at the Krikjok station. 12. 12. Nice. Nice. 15. Not bad. Five days of food as well. Let's go. As we are moving through the lush green forest of Sweden we see the majestic beauty of the Kungslede trail stretching out before us. Towering trees, crystal clear lakes and sprawling meadows form the backdrop of this breathtaking landscape. As we venture further into the heart of the forest leaving the rugged train of Krikjok behind us we are greeted by a wealth of natural wonders at every turn along the trail. A gentle sound of running streams, the sub-rossell of leaves and the distant call of wildlife all serve as a constant reminder of the raw power and beauty of nature. This is truly a place where the human spirit is free to explore and discover the hidden wonders of the natural world. As the sun descended below the horizon, painting the sky with fiery use, we found ourselves in awe of the breathtaking spectacle before us. The shimmering lake below mirrored the heavens above as if the two were one and the same, a blaze in a dance of orange and red. We retreated to the fjallstugaavborten seeking refuge in its warm embrace. The rustic cabin with its crackling fireplace and snug atmosphere offered a glimpse into the heart of simple Swedish living. As we allow the dreamlike landscapes to seep into our consciousness we prepare the nourishing meal. The gentle hum of the stove and the soft flicker of the fire provide a soothing soundtrack. That was the first day. It was an amazing day. We started in Vikjok and now we're in Parten and well, no words needed for this camp site. It's absolutely amazing. If you open up our tent we have a view on like a lake and mountains and it's absolutely amazing. Finally, as we settled in for the night, we let the serene surroundings lull us into a deep slumber, content in the knowledge that we were in the midst of a truly magnificent adventure. As raindrops fell gently on our tent, we were slowly awakening, drawn by the soft melody of nature's lullaby. Stepping out from the safety of our tent, we were struck by the morning mist hanging above the calm lake. Eager to explore this fairytale-like world, we emerge from our shelter, thinning our lungs with the fresh air. We are ready for the second day of our journey on the Kungsleden. This day we are hiking from the campsite of Porten towards the nearest campsite to the boat crossing that gets us to Akta. And we arrived in Sarek National Park. The Kungsleden has a 16 kilometer stretch of the trail in Sarek National Park and Sarek is well known as the European Alaska, right? Yeah, it's run through the southern part as well, right? Yeah, the southern part of Sarek National Park and we can see a lot of moose and reindeer here and it's really a distinct area, like no people here, almost no huts, no cell from reception, so it's really into the wilderness. As the rain finally stops, we take a moment to breathe in the fresh damp air. The sound of rain dripping from the leaves above is replaced by the gentle burble of a nearby river. It's current running strong and steady. We set about making coffee, relishing the warmth of the mug in our hands and the rich aromas floating up to our noses. It's a simple pleasure, but out here in nature it feels like the ultimate luxury. As we sit by the river, we're struck by the profound sense of unity we feel with the natural world around us. We're not just observers, but active participants in this environment, sharing space and resources, each element dependent on the others to survive. As we rave through the treeline, we're greeted by the stunning views of Sweden's Lapland, misty landscapes stretching out as far as the eye can see. Above us, the clouds put on a spectacular show, while below the fall colors create a beautiful patchwork coiled of oranges, yellows and reds. It's a moment of pure awe and wonder and we feel incredibly fortunate to be here, experiencing this natural beauty firsthand. And the best thing if you ask me about the Kungslede is that there's literally no sign of civilization anywhere. You don't see any houses, cars, you don't hear anything except water running. How's your day been so far, Lett? Really good. I almost cried when I saw the heard of reindeer. That was really on my bucket list for this Sweden trip that I saw some reindeers and it's unbelievable that we already saw them on the second day. The sight of the majestic reindeer grazing in the distance took our breath away. For the first time, we were able to witness these magnificent creatures up close, marveling at their grace and beauty. As we continue on our journey, we're treated to the views of pristine lakes stretching out before us, with no sign of civilization inside. It's like we've stepped back in time to a world untouched by human hands. We are currently looking for a place to camp. The original plan was to go to a lake and cross the lake there but it's almost dinner time and we're not even close. So we're looking for a nice camp spot down the valley and we hope there's some water because we need water of course and camp there and then we'll see tomorrow. Good camp, what's the lead? Yeah, except for this big rock but it's a pretty good spot right here next to the stream and there's even a place for a fire so everything we need. Finally, we set foot at our campsite surrounded by trees and the gentle sound of a nearby river. It's a humbling experience to be so intimately connected with the natural world and we feel a deep sense of peace and contentment settling over us. As we settle into our tent for the night we're grateful for the opportunity to disconnect from everyday life and immerse ourselves in the quiet beauty of Sweden. Good morning. Good morning. It was a pretty cold morning and really damp and rainy morning as you can see still in the tent. Right now it's six o'clock and it was freezing but our cumulus sleeping bags kept us really really warm and cozy this night. Completely frozen. Yeah it was a pretty cold night but as you can see behind me the sun is coming up at the moment and it's already heating up our faces. From here it's one to one and a half hour to the boat which is at the lake and on the other side of the lake we're probably staying tonight. There's supposed to be a really nice campsite and hut on the other side of the lake and while we're there and the weather is this great we might show our pack list to you so make sure to check that one out as well. We're going to show what we packed, what we brought, our food basically everything that we brought during this trip. We're going to record it there because the weather is beautiful, we can dry our tent, we can dry our sleeping bags because they got a little bit damp last night and chill a little bit. Despite the chilly morning we savoured our time-breaking camp soaking in the tranquility of the wilderness. Just in time we reached the boat crossing at Lajtauve which is a point where you will meet fellow hikers. As we saw the other hikers arriving we couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and excitement towards those who had already hiked to Kuntlede in the opposite direction wondering what adventures they had encountered on their way. As we crossed the calm waters of Lajtauve we couldn't help but feel a sense of calmness getting over us. The mist still clung to the surroundings like a thick blanket. Slowly the mist began to lift revealing a glimpse of the rugged landscapes that lay beyond. We held our breath waiting for the moment when the last of the mist would clear away and reveal the full extent of the view and when it did we were left speechless. Are you happy with the camp spot Alet? I'm really really happy, this is like if you see this view it's insane, it's steady, everything we well I'm speechless as you can hear. Since we arrived early at our campsite we took the time to dry our tent and sleep in bags from the night before. With everything ready we started preparing dinner. What are we having for dinner? I'm having a Kibela. Kim is having an Indian curry with rice. While enjoying dinner we took the time to reflect on our day and we are really grateful for this magnificent campsite at STF Aktsen. STF Aktsen is a popular stop for hikers on the Kuntlede. It offers both sleeping accommodations in the hut or camping at an additional fee. As a guest you'll have access to a fully equipped kitchen, showers and even a sauna. STF Aktsen also features a small shop where you can purchase snacks, basic supplies and souvenirs. And it is also the perfect place to rest and recharge. How was your day? My day was really good. It was a super sunny day so we decided after the boat to stay at the campsite here at Aktsen and we even recorded a packing mist video. So if you're curious about that definitely check it out. As the sun began to set we couldn't resist the urge to explore our surroundings. With the perfect weather on our side we took our time wandering around and immersing ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the area. As the day drew to a close we stood around a warm and crackling campfire under the stars. With the silhouetted mountains serving as a breathtaking backdrop. It was already a day that we would never forget. From the beautiful lake crossings to the stunning campsite and spectacular sunset views. But just when we thought it couldn't get any better we experienced this. We just left our camp and it was a really really really cold night. The temperature dropped way below freezing and we had a very rough night. But in that rough night just before we saw the northern lights where we were very happy maybe that was the reason why we couldn't keep warm in the night because we stayed up very late. Very chilly but the northern lights were amazing. Today we're going to Sito Jouda from here is 10 kilometers so it shouldn't take that long and there we're gonna catch a boat at five and the special thing about that boat the guy who owns the place the boat he is a fisherman and he sells his fish as well where we can eat. Really looking forward to that. Leaving the special campsite of Aksu was tough. Its charm held us tight making it hard to say goodbye. But as we climbed to higher ground the scenery changed dramatically. The trees vanished replaced by a landscape resembling the unique and rugged terrain of Mars. It felt like stepping into a whole new world waiting to be explored. It's ringing. Hey Lars this is Dan and Alette. We would like to cross the lake at 17.15 today so this afternoon for two people. I will call you back later but then you then you know bye bye. He said something in Swedish. Apparently we have to call a guy here because he lives on the other side of the lake and if we're in this is the only place where we have signal so we have to call here and then he comes with the boat to this side of the lake at the quarter past five but I've got his voicemail so I think the smart option is to wait here and call in 10 minutes or something. It's a beautiful day so it's not a bad place to wait 10 minutes. Lars confirmed so we can continue our hike to the lake and catch the boat tonight and hopefully have some warm fish in our belly this evening. The lake crossing was a side of beauty yet an unexpected challenge arose when the boat motor hit the lake floor. Despite the mishap the boat operator repaired the boat and after two hours we were able to continue our journey. Unfortunately the fish we mentioned before wasn't there there was no one selling it on the other side of the lake and due to the really cold last night we decided to treat ourselves by staying in a cozy hut next to this beautiful lake. What we didn't expect was the incredible quietness unlike anything we had ever experienced before. In his peaceful and calm place there was complete silence no distant sounds no echoes of civilization just a serene and undisturbed tranquility that wept around us like a comforting hug. To make the most of the cozy huts warmth we seized the opportunity to dry our tent and to add the touch of perfection we kindled a fire in the fireplace. We found ourselves alone in the hut savoring the solitude and serenity that surrounded us. As the sun started its descent casting a warm glow across the landscape we prepared a delicious dinner. Positioned by the window we enjoyed a table with a spectacular view overlooking the lake as the vibrant colors of the sunset painted the sky. It was a breathtaking spectacle an ever-changing masterpiece that unfolded before our very eyes adding a touch of magic to our meal. We awakened to a world decorated with glistening morning dew softly dripping from the ceiling of our cabin. The tranquility enveloped the quiet lake granting us a profound stillness that surpassed any silence we had ever experienced. With a fresh cup of coffee in hand we savor the mornings embrace while overlooking the calming lake. Now it was time to embark on the final day of the kungslede. With a heart full of anticipation we prepared ourselves to take the last steps on this extraordinary drill. Good morning! After the boat ride we arrived at this side of the lake at Siti Jaure and we thought we could buy some bread and fish but unfortunately the shop well I think it was a shop was closed yeah there was nothing actually no there was nothing there was just one home of a Sami family who took us across the lake and that was about it yeah so we ended up going to an stf hut instead first plan was to go camping but all our gear was still wet from the freezing night before so we decided to treat ourselves in the hut and we made a fire over there and at a hot meal and it was really nice and cozy and we are very relaxed now up for another day today there won't be any more lake crossings as we are making our way to the stf station of salt aluakta which is a 19 kilometer stretch right now we're waiting for a herd of reindeers because they're right on the track and we don't want to scare them so we're waiting for them to just go somewhere else I'll let the forgot her trekking pole oh you forgot your trekking pole no I forgot the trekking pole but I have it now our day has been perfect so far we're walking on like a field it's like an all barren landscape with beautiful fall colors we saw a lot of rain there and we had a really really chill lunch as well so it's a happy day our final night in the tent along this incredible trail we relished the tranquility that enveloped us it was a chance to recap the multitude of breathtaking moments we had encountered on the kungslede from encountering the majestic reindeer grazing in a natural habitat to witnessing the mesmerizing dance of the northern lights painting the night sky sweden had unfolded its wonders before us yet it was the profound silence that resonated deeply within our souls a unique and immersive experience that only sweden could offer as we bid farewell to this extraordinary trail we carry the memories of the kungslede close to our hearts but our first for adventure remains we are catching the bus to embark on a journey to the picturesque Höga kustelede on the east coast of sweden stay tuned for our journey continues revealing more of sweden's marvels and the boundless beauty that awaits us this was the kungslede