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Svenska flaggan

Abisko

The village’s northern Sámi name Ábeskovvu means “the forest by the great water”, where “the great water” refers to Scandinavia’s largest mountain lake Torneträsk.

For millennia, the area has been home to the Sami who followed herds of wilds between the forest land and the mountains. They hunted and fished in the area. Remains of the pitfalls used for reindeer and moose are still visible today. You can also see traces of old hearths and tipi places.

Abisko National Park was founded in 1909 as one of the first in Sweden. A few years earlier, the railway was built from the mine in Kiruna until the ice-free harbor in Narvik where the iron ore could be shipped off. During the construction, the navvies created small communities along the emerging railway. The hiking trail “the navvy road” which was used to transport material is a memory from that time.

Here is also Abisko Natural Science Station located where researchers from all over the world study climate change and perform other nature research in the Arctic environment.

Abisko National Park has a rich animal life in all seasons and most mountain plants can be found here. Njullá is sometimes called the “flower mountain” because of its flower richness. The very rare orchid patch is one of the rarities.

Abisko town, where most homes and grocery stores and petrol stations are located, is usually called Abisko East. Here you will also find Abisko Mountain Lodge, where you will get a good nights sleep and enjoy delicious slow-food at Restaurant Brasseriet. STF Abisko Turiststation is 3km away, in Abisko West. In the KRAV2-certified Restaurant Kungsleden you eat good food with a magnificent view of Torneträsk on one side and the Abisko Alps on the other side.

Stay & Eat

Naturum Abisko

Here is a fixed exhibition about Abisko National Park, its geology, flora, fauna, climate and cultural history. The staff will be happy to help with tour tips and information about the area. In summer, they offer guided tours and other activities. Read something in the library or take part in lectures and slide shows. There is also a children’s corner where the children can play.

A summer experience

Aurora Sky Station

Can be visited both summer, autumn and winter. With cable car you go up to the Njullá mountain where Aurora Sky Station is located and offers a fantastic view of the National Park, Abisko, Torneträsk and famous Lapporten. During the winter you can see the Northern Lights dance over the sky while the midnight sun lights up the night in the summer.

A visit in Summer
Abisko National Park

Roaming around

In Abisko there is vast nature to take part of. You can easily adapt your hike to how much time you have and how demanding hike you want. There is everything between a half-hour excursion to a multi-day adventure along the King’s Trail. Abisko Canyon is easily accessible and should be visited by anyone staying in Abisko. Walk and discover the mountain on your own. Here are some tips from STF Abisko on shorter trips in the national park. You can download and save the document.

Hiking tips in Abisko
Jessica Nildén
Abisko Canyon i höstfärger
The blue hole

Northern lights

Abisko is considered one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights. This is because the area is in rain shadow from the Atlantic’s humid air and often has clear weather. There are many guided activities to attend to experience the Northern Lights. One tip is to join a photo tour with professional Northern Lights photographers and perpetuate the memory of the spectacular heavenly show.

Aurora activities in Abisko
Balkongen Aurora Sky Station i Abisko norrskensupplevelse
Skiing and snowshoe hiking

Nuolja Offpist

In February, Nuolja Offpist opens for downhill skiing with magical views. There are also nice excursions to do with tour skis or snowshoes. A short trip goes to the marble quarry or Nissunjåkkas canyon or a slightly longer trip that takes you to a cozy cottage spot inside the high mountain valley Kårsavagge. The area between Abisko and Narvik also offers countless peaks to climb.

Nuolja Offpist

Guided activities in Abisko

See all activities in Abisko

To Abisko from Kiruna

Getting here

It is 93km between Kiruna and Abisko and it takes about an hour to drive. Located along the E-10 north in direction of Narvik in Norway. There are two trains per day year round and bus operates during season. Visit Abisko also operates buses all the way between Kiruna and Riksgränsen.

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