A fantastic area for mountain hiking, with the Kungsleden trail running between Hemavan and Ammarnäs. A hike of about 80 km with overnight stays in five mountain huts. If you just want to try staying in a mountain hut, you can hike 11 km to STF Viterskalstugan. With Hemavan as your starting point, you can vary your mountain hikes. There are great day hikes in valleys such as Kobåset and along Mothserejokha. On day hikes you can also take in many of the peaks, the closest being Storkittelhobben (1135 m). Several higher ones are also within reach. The area doesn’t have many marked trails but it’s easy to navigate.
In Ammarnäs there are a number of mountain hikes on marked trails, such as a circular hike starting on the Kungsleden trail over Näsberget and back down towards Tjulträsk. From Ammarnäs, the Kungsleden trail continues northwards.
We have devised a couple of day and multi-day hikes that we recommend for your first mountain hike.
Fjällfinakåtan and Kobåset day hike 9 km
A perfect day hike for families. Start the hike on the Kobåstigen trail at Naturum in Hemavan, following the blue marks, then heading for Fjällfinakåtan – a perfect place for a snack and a rest. There’s a stove in the goahti (a Sami hut) and a fireplace outside. The section to reach here is 2.2 km. If you like, you can continue along the path past the goahti, over Kåtahobben and further into Kobåset.
Hike length
9 km
Accommodation before and after the hike
STF Hemavan Mountain Station and STF Hemavan Mountain Centre Hotel
Hemavan – Ammarnäs 78 km
Here, the southernmost part of the Kungsleden trail runs through the Vindelfjällen nature reserve, which is one of Europe’s largest protected areas. The area is characterised by mountain heaths, tall peaks, lush birch forests, wetlands and extensive lake systems. Fantastic views are interspersed with valleys surrounded by steep slopes and high mountain peaks. In the dramatic Syter Pass, high peaks rise on both sides. Over Tärnasjön Lake, there are long walkways between the small islets. STF has five mountain huts along this part of the Kungsleden trail. Reindeer herding is carried out in the entire area, and hikers must show consideration.
Hike length
78 km – 6 days. Longest stage 19 km
- Stage 1: Hemavan-Viterskalet (10 km)
- Stage 2: Viterskalet-Syter (12 km)
- Stage 3: Syter-Tärnasjö (14 km)
- Stage 4: Tärnasjö-Serve (14 km)
- Stage 5: Serve-Aigert (20 km)
- Stage 6: Aigert-Ammarnäs (8 km)
Accommodation before and after the hike
STF Hemavan Mountain Station, STF Hemavan Mountain Centre Hotel, STF Ammarnäs Wärdshus and Ammarnäs Mountain Hotel & Hostel
Accommodation during the hike
STF Viterskalet, STF Syter, STF Tärnasjö, STF Serve and STF Aigert.
Shops during the hike
STF Viterskalet, STF Tärnasjö and STF Aigert
Map
Lantmäteriet for printing at home
Ammarnäs – Hemavan Calazo 1:50 000
Vindelfjällen Calazo 1:100 000
Ammarnäs Hemavan Lill- Björkvattnet Norstedts 1:75 000
Apps: Fjällkartan – Naturkartan – Min Karta
Getting there
You can get to Hemavan by bus from Umeå via Storuman, which you can reach on the Inland Line. You can also fly direct to Hemavan from Stockholm. Or you can take a bus from Ammarnäs to Vännäs, and then a train. The distance to Hemavan is around 850 km from Stockholm and 360 km from Umeå.
Hemavan – Viterskalstugan 22 km
You start your hike on the Kungsleden trail in Hemavan. It’s 11 km to Viterskalet, but you can also take the Hemavan gondola lift up into the alpine zone, making this section 8 km instead. If you choose to start at Naturum and hike instead of taking a gondola lift, you have a few kilometres in the birch forest before you reach the alpine zone. The trail heads towards the valley of Västra Syterbäcken where you then hike between the stream and the long fingers of Södra Sytertoppen. Once you get there, don’t miss out on hiking another 15 minutes north, where you get a fantastic view of Syterskalet valley. Reindeer herding is carried out in the area, and hikers must show consideration.
Hike length
22 km – 2 days (if you take a gondola lift, the hike will be 3 km shorter)
Accommodation before and after the hike
STF Hemavan Mountain Station and STF Hemavan Mountain Centre Hotel
Accommodation during the hike
STF Viterskalet Mountain Hut
Shops during the hike
STF Viterskalet Mountain Hut
Map
Lantmäteriet for printing at home
Ammarnäs – Hemavan Calazo 1:50 000
Vindelfjällen Calazo 1:100 000
Ammarnäs Hemavan Lill- Björkvattnet Norstedts 1:75 000
Apps: Fjällkartan – Naturkartan – Min Karta
Getting there
You can get to Hemavan by bus from Umeå via Storuman, which you can reach on the Inland Line. You can also fly direct to Hemavan from Stockholm. Or you can take a bus from Ammarnäs to Vännäs, and then a train. The distance to Hemavan is around 850 km from Stockholm and 360 km from Umeå.