The first part of the following morning led us back over the bridge that we had crossed the day before, back to the east side of the lake. A sign saying “Kungsleden” assured us that we were back on track. We hiked upwards and it was really tough.
These planks were laid and various spots al through Kungsleden in order to ease the walk on some places or to protect the ground and vegetation.
The climb was approximately 300m steep and led to a plateau, from which we could look back on the lake that we had left behind. We had left the National Park Abisko and the landscape had also changed. No trees anymore but a more tundra-like environment.
Two joggers passed us with ease on this stony section on their way to Alejaure. Jogging on Kungsleden mostly means that you do not carry a heavy backpack, so sleeping in the cabins is a must.
After a couple kilometres, a series of mountain-lakes appeared and we walked the rest of the day having these beautiful, crystal-blue waters on our left side. We also passed a Sami village, but no people were on sight (they would probably return next spring).
Until August 31, there are boats operating at the lake Alesjaure to the STF cabins Alesjaure and for a fee this could shorten the walk for 4 kilometres.
The southern lake shores are covered with fine sand, building up small, picturesque beaches. We decided to spend the night at one of the beaches, just 5 km before the Alesjaure huts, having it all for ourselves.
On the other side of our camping site a waterfall emerged from the mountain face and we could not stop ourselves from thinking if this was how it would be in paradise.
Our only concern were the more and more dense clouds building up above us. Would it perhaps rain tomorrow?
This post is a part of the following article: Hiking Kungsleden in Autumn