It passes through, near the southern end, the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Europe.

From the late nineteenth century, the association had the idea of creating a royal road through the mountains in Swedish Lapland.

For the section between Vakkotavare and Kvikkjokk, the initial project was to take the trail through the middle of Sarek National Park, with a cottage near the Rapa River, crossing which would require a boat.

There was still no proper path to speak of and the public sentiment for the trail was very limited at first, but it quickly grew in popularity.

Some hikers at the time included Kungsleden in all STF trail networks in the mountains, from the three-Country Cairn in the north to Grövelsjön in the south.

Rowing boats are usually in place at the end of June or beginning of July, but the weather can be very treacherous, including late or early snow.

Huts have been constructed along the trail, separated by a distance that a walker could expect to cover during the day, about 9–22 kilometres (5.6–13.7 mi).

The huts are primarily operated by STF and provide a mattress, pillow, blanket and simple cooking facilities.

Highlights along the way, sometimes a small detour is needed, are: Abisko: Hostel / mountain station, hiking during summer, back-country skiing during winter.

In recent years, a number of trail running athletes have been attempting to set the fastest known time.

[7] The Belgian adventurer Louis-Philippe Loncke achieved the distinction of being the first person to complete the entire trail on foot with packrafting and unsupported, climbing underway also Skierfe and the Kebnekaise North and South summits.