Kungsleden 14/07/26

Day 14. Jäkkvik to Adolfsström.

Another bright and beautiful day with a good breeze, perfect weather for walking again.

Leaving Jäkkvik 

I did meet someone on the way who said she was here at this time last year and the temperature was 35⁰, she had to go home and try again this year.

The trail through the woods 

It was a good day for me though, perfect temperature and a nice insect controlling breeze.

Perfect timber for new boardwalks 

There was a climb up through the trees to a short but beautiful section of open fell, it actually felt quite cold when fully exposed to the wind.

Beautiful open hillside 

A gentle descent into the trees and past various lakes and I arrived at a bridge crossing the outlet of another big lake.

Willow Warbler 

There was a set of parts there to build a new bridge some of which made a nice lunchtime seat.

Plenty of water

Timber for the boardwalks and parts for bridges like this are delivered to the sites by snowmobile during the winter for construction in the summer.

Open woodlands

I was amazed at the quality of the 6x2 timber that was left out in the sun, it was all absolutely straight without a twist to be seen. I wish we could get construction timber as good as this at home.

The bridge that is due for replacement 

It is becoming more obvious that I am south of the arctic circle now as the trees are noticeably bigger and the undergrowth thicker although I was still walking through nice open forest.

Plenty of different trails 

I soon reached a gravel road that took me to Adolfsström, a collection of houses and a little shop/cafe which at first sight appeared to have a lot for sale but after a quick look round I realised that the stock was actually very limited.

Nearly at Adolfsström 

They have some nice little cabins that aren't ridiculously priced so I decided to stay for the night.

Interior of the shop/cafe

My little cabin

22k walked

500m ascent

Kungsleden 13/07/26

Day 13. Saudal to Jäkkvik

Another bright day with a light breeze, perfect walking weather for the trip to Jäkkvik.

Path through the woods 

Through the woods all the way but there were some good views over the numerous lakes.

More woods

Lots of lakes

There was one river/lake crossing to make, this time with no alternative to the rowing boats.

An old fishing boat slowly composting 

Interesting gate in a reindeer fence

Rowing across the lake 

I was lucky to arrive just as another group coming from the south had left two boats on my side.

Arrived

A return trip

It was an easy row across in a nice light aluminium boat and I didn't even have to pull it ashore as there were two people waiting to take it back.

Gravel road 

Sluice

A short walk through the woods took me to a gravel road leading to a sluice which is part of the hydro scheme linking the lakes.

Approaching Jäkkvik

The trail then follows the edge of a lake to reach Jäkkvik.

A fine set of moose antlers on a shed outside Jäkkvik 

Jäkkvik is a proper little village with a supermarket and a campsite/lodge with very good facilities. 

Jäkkvik hostel

There was a interesting mix of people of various nationalities on the campsite and we had some interesting conversations in the camp kitchen.

The campsite 

Working my way down the trail

A short day but a good chance to charge up and communicate.

12k walked 

Kungsleden 12/07/26

Day 12. Gásakláhko to Saudal

It was a clear sunny morning with a light breeze when I woke and the wind increased during the day but there were only a few fluffy white clouds.

Coming down from the camp

There was no life abut the other two tents when I left for the continuation of the path over the hill.

Lakes everywhere 

I reached the trees fairly quickly and it became a rather rocky, rooty path threading a way through swamps and lakes.

Boardwalk between lakes

It's not surprising that there are so many insects with all the ideal breeding places and a supply of hikers to provide the necessary blood.

Big bridges

At some time this morning I crossed the Arctic Circle to return to more temperate climes although the temperatures have been in the late teens every day recently.

And smaller bridges. This one would have been swept away if it wasn't tied down at both sides. It was only moved.

A big river crossing on the longest bridge so far added some extra interest as I continued through the trees with the breeze keeping the insects at bay.

The dock and boat for the lake crossing 

I arrived at the Jäkkvik cabins where, surprisingly, there is a burger van that closes for lunch? I had arrived just in time to get fed and sit in the sun and wind waiting for the boat which doesn't go until 16.00.

Boat heading back

It was the longest and the last lake crossing by power boat which landed me on a rocky shore to face a climb over another ridge.

Looking back to the lake from above the treeline.

The gradient wasn't too bad and I was soon out of the trees, over the top and down into the trees on the other side.

I thought about camping by the small lake

There were loads of places to put the tent on top of the hill but it was a bit windy but more importantly no water.

Camp for the night

I found a nice little spot in light woodland and near a stream, not insect free but not a bad place.

17k walked 

450m ascent

Kungsleden 10/07/26

Day 10. Kvikkjokk to Goabddábákte 

It was a calm overcast morning and I walked down after an excellent breakfast at the Fjällstation to get a boat across the lake.

Morning reflections 

The boatman was a very interesting character who had lived in the area all his life and told us all about the changes he had seen in the rivers and lakes.

Bjorn the boatman

There has been a more growth recently and nearly all the sand banks are now green with interesting channels winding between them.

Path up through the trees 

Another fairly hot climb up through many kilometres of forest before it thinned out to allow a slight breeze through.

One of many little lakes

The walking became very pleasant through a scrubby area with stunted birch trees which allowed long views of the hills around.

Long bridge over the river

The open birch areas are much less humid than the pine forest with consequentially less insects, much better.

I wasn't the only one there

The path then descended to a bridge over the Tsielejkåhkå river where there is an emergency shelter and phone.

There were plenty of boardwalks

I thought I could have lunch in the shelter but like the surrounding area it was infested with mosquitoes so I carried on for a short distance up the other side and found a nice rock in a breezy place for my lunch.

And little bridges

I continued a gentle climb up by a stream into the hills before a steeper section took me out onto a fairly level section of hillside which I followed to reach a little river.

The plateau 

Just beyond the metal bridge there was an ideal camp spot. A nice breeze to keep the insects under control, water nearby and a flat piece of dry ground.

Perfect campsite 

I sat for a while looking a the views and the huge glacial moraine nearby deciding whether to stay or go on a bit further as it wasn't very late.

Wooly Willow 

I decided to go a bit further and chance finding somewhere decent but when I stood up and put my pack on I changed my mind and put the tent up instead.

A lovely spot and a tasty walnut pasta for dinner. Best camp so far by a long way.

17k walked

780m ascent