In this area you can hike between mountain huts and we recommend the route Abisko – Nikkaluokta, which is a hike of about 110 km that takes 6-8 days. You will spend the nights at six different places, all in wilderness without roads. On this classic stretch, which mostly follows the Kungsleden trail, you can stay for a few extra days at Kebnekaise mountain station for some day hiking. For example, you can hike towards Tarfala, Silverfallen or take the opportunity to climb Sweden’s highest mountain – the southern peak of Kebnekaise. It takes all day to do the latter and we recommend you go with a guide.
Abisko is a great place for day hikes. You can hike on Njulla mountain or toward Lapporten. Here you can also take a cable car high up the mountain. Immediately adjacent to STF Abisko Tourist Station are the wild rapids of Abiskojåkka, where you can hike in the canyon – an easy hike that also offers disabled access. You can also do day hikes on the Kungsleden trail towards the mountain huts at Abiskojaure and in Kårsadalen. Another popular day hike is to start from Låkkta railway station and walk through the Kärkevagge valley towards Trollsjön Lake. You can also do a variety of day hikes from Björkliden.
Kårsafallen day hike – 9 km
You start from STF Abisko Tourist Station and follow the purple-marked trail towards Kårsavagge. With Njulla mountain on your right, you walk for about 500 metres to where the path splits. Then follow the eastern (left) path, parallel to the Abiskojåkka. The hike runs through birch forest and marshland with log bridges. As you progress, you begin to see pine trees in the birch forest and soon you arrive at the little bridge over the Kårsajåkken. From here you can then explore upstream where there are several pretty small waterfalls. A perfect place for a rest and a snack.
Hike length
9 km
Accommodation in Abisko
STF Abisko Tourist Station
Canyon day hike, 2 km
Just by STF Abisko Tourist Station is the Canyon, which is part of Abisko National Park. On the southern side of the E10 there is a disabled-accessible path taking you along one of Sweden’s very few canyons. A canyon is like a ravine, but in rock instead of soil. From the wooden log bridge with its railing, you get a good view of the steep rock walls and the clear water that flows far down in the bottom of the canyon. And if you raise your eyes, you’ll also see Torneträsk and the mountain, where there are patches of snow even in the summer.
Hike length
1-2 km
Accommodation in Abisko
STF Abisko Tourist Station
Abisko – Nikkaluokta – 107 km
One of Sweden’s most famous hiking trails, which largely runs along the Kungsleden trail. You start at STF Abisko Tourist Station and the first day’s hike runs through the birch forest in Abisko National Park. Above the tree line, the landscape is varied with broad plains, many lakes, fast-flowing streams and high mountain peaks. Lush mountain slopes and open heaths relieve barren, grey-black mountains where the peaks are often covered in snow. The landscape is magnificent as you reach the highest point in the Tjäktja Pass. The marked trail primarily runs through the alpine zone, but the first and last day of the hike are mostly in birch forest. Along the route are five of STF’s mountain huts and STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station. You leave the Kungsleden trail at Singistugorna. Reindeer herding is carried out in the area, and hikers must show consideration.
Hike length
107 km – 7 days
- Stage 1: Abisko-Abiskojaure (14 km)
- Stage 2: Abiskojaure-Alesjaure (21 km)
- Stage 3: Alesjaure-Tjäktja (13 km)
- Stage 4: Tjäktja-Sälka (12 km)
- Stage 5: Sälka-Singi (12 km)
- Stage 6: Singi-Kebnekaise (14 km)
- Stage 7: Kebnekaise-Nikkaluokta (19 km)
Accommodation in Abisko
STF Abisko Tourist Station, Abisko Mountain Lodge and Abisko Guesthouse
Accommodation during the hike
STF Abiskojaure – STF Alesjaure – STF Tjäktja – STF Sälka – STF Singi and STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station (pre-book)
Shops during the hike
STF Abisko Tourist Station, STF Abiskojaure, STF Alesjaure, STF Sälka, STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station and Nikkaluokta
Map
Lantmäteriet for printing at home
Kungsleden Kebnekaise, Abisko & Riksgränsen Calazo 1:50 000
Kungsleden 1 Outdoor Norstedts 1:75 000
Apps: Fjällkartan, Naturkartan – Min karta
Getting there
You can get to Abisko by train from southern Sweden. Many people fly to Kiruna then cover the final 100 km by bus or train. You can also get the bus from Nikkaluokta to Kiruna (80 km).
Abisko – Kårsavagge – 26 km
You start from STF Abisko Mountain Station, and take the opportunity to go through “Skapelsen” which is a starting portal for the Kungsleden trail. Walk through the tunnel under the E10 and continue over the bridge across the Abiskojåkka. Immediately after the bridge, the path turns into the birch forest and follows the Abiskojåkka. After a few kilometres, you start to climb the mountain called Slåttatjåkkas, before the path flattens out at the mouth of the Kårsavagge valley. Now you leave the birch forest behind and continue across heathland. Kårsavagge mountain hut is located on a small hillock close to the turquoise-green waters of the Gaskamus Gorsajávri. Immediately before the hut is the only difficult bit of wading on the whole hike.
NOTE: It’s easy to go wrong and follow the cross-marked winter trail instead of the summer one. This may mean you end up in wetland and difficult terrain. It’s particularly important to pay attention at the Kårsavagge hut on the way to Abisko and where the winter trail turns off towards the Abiskojåkka. Follow the summer trail marker, not the red trail crosses.
Accommodation in Abisko
STF Abisko Tourist Station, Abisko Mountain Lodge and Abisko Guesthouse
Accommodation during the hike
STF Kårsavagge Mountain Hut
Shops during the hike
STF Abisko Tourist Station
Map
Lantmäteriet for printing at home
Kungsleden Kebnekaise, Abisko & Riksgränsen Calazo 1:50 000
Kungsleden 1 Outdoor Norstedts 1:75 000
Apps: Fjällkartan, Naturkartan – Min karta
Getting there
You can get to Abisko by train from southern Sweden. Many people fly to Kiruna then cover the final 100 km by bus or train. You can also get the bus from Nikkaluokta to Kiruna (80 km).