There are plenty of activities for tourists here: skiing and snowmobiling, ice climbing and night tours, dog sledging and reindeer farms. But if you go a few kilometres away and find yourself alone with nature, you feel it much more vividly. A small town with about 100 locals and endless space all around. It’s easier to breathe and think here than in crowded cities.
Some of the free joys of northern Sweden are the northern lights, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The 450 km King’s Trail is carefully marked within the national park. You can take a 5 km circular route for a half-day walk or venture deeper into the park. Every 20 km along the trail, hikers find shelters. Cozy overnight stays and complete darkness make for perfect conditions to admire the night sky. The stars here shine bright and feel close to the observer.
Day routes
Around the Abisko tourist station, there are several routes suitable for day walks.
No. 3 – A circular route to Lake Njakajaure with a panoramic view of the mountains in winter. The trail is well-trodden and easy to walk without snowshoes. We saw skiers travelling longer routes with sleds for their gear.
No. 2 – A short trail above the Abiskojåkka river canyon with a frozen waterfall. It is accessible for visitors with disabilities. Beyond that, narrow paths descend along the canyon all the way to the beach.
No. 8 – A short path to the open-air museum. Old Sámi houses stand among birch trees on a hill, each with detailed explanations.
No. 6 – The trail to the shore of Torneträsk, the largest lake in Sweden.
Tourist centre
A warm and cosy haven inside the national park is the tourist centre. It’s not just a booth with free maps, but a full facility with a restaurant and hotel. The lounge rooms invite you to relax in cosy armchairs by the fireplace, while the café offers tea and sweet treats. There’s even a chess table and a library! Warming up here after walks in the refreshing –20°C is a real pleasure. In the evening, I spent about four hours sitting in a flower-embroidered armchair with a huge National Geographic book. It seemed the local staff thought I lived there, as they even offered me tea for free. The only thing missing was a chess partner.
Popular paid activities
At every hotel in Abisko, you’ll be offered snowmobiling or dog sledding. Dress warmly and be careful when photographing: northern huskies aren’t as cute and fluffy as their Ukrainian cousins. They bark loudly, howl like wolves at night, and constantly try to bite anyone who gets too close. Maybe they’re cold, or maybe they’re just tired of tourists.
The ultimate adrenaline rush comes from ice climbing. Using crampons and an ice axe on a frozen waterfall looks impressive even from afar. I got my dose of excitement descending the rocks to the lower part of the frozen waterfall.
How to get there
Travelling beyond the Arctic Circle in Sweden turned out to be easier than I expected. A cheap flight to Stockholm, then 1000 km by comfortable train heading north. Of course, flying directly is faster, but from the train you get to see the country and talk with locals. Tickets on sj.se are cheaper if you buy them one or two months in advance.
