National park in 🇸🇪Sweden

Abisko National Park

Northern Lights, midnight sun, and wilderness unspoiled.

Located 195km north of the Arctic Circle, this Swedish national park has clear skies ideal for viewing the northern lights and summer nights when the sun never sets.

4.8
out of 5

Abisko National Park spans 77 square kilometers in Swedish Lapland, where the Abiskodalen valley cuts through snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows. From the Sky Station's panoramic windows, you can watch green and purple northern lights sweep across winter skies. In summer, wildflowers carpet the ground while hikers trek under the midnight sun. Located 195 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, the park sits at the starting point of the famous Kungsleden hiking trail.

Getting to Abisko National Park

You can reach Abisko by electric train from Stockholm, with daily connections stopping at both Abisko Östra station (in the village) and Abisko Turiststation (at the park entrance). If you're driving, follow the E10 highway from Kiruna (100 km) or Narvik (75 km). In winter, local operators run dog sledding tours from both Abisko village and the tourist station.

Seasons and Natural Phenomena

The sun never sets from early June to mid-July, giving you endless daylight for hiking and photography. From December to January, the polar night brings darkness ideal for aurora viewing. The clear skies and distance from urban areas create exceptional conditions for seeing the northern lights, with visibility possible from September to March.

Hiking Trails in the Park

Start your Kungsleden journey at Abisko Turiststation - this 440-kilometer trail begins here and continues south through Swedish Lapland. The 5.3-kilometer Lake Loop takes you along riverbanks and lakeshores through birch forests. For mountain views, climb the Mountain Vista Trail, a 12-kilometer loop ascending 230 meters above the valley floor.

Winter Activities

You'll find marked trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the park. Mount Nuolja and the nearby Björkliden area welcome skiers with varying skill levels. Take the chair lift to Mount Nuolja's summit to reach the Sky Station, where you can warm up with a meal while watching for northern lights. The park maintains separate trails for beginners and advanced winter sports participants.

Wildlife and Nature

Look for martens, stoats, squirrels, and fell lemmings year-round in the park. Moose and reindeer regularly pass through the valleys, while wolverines, Arctic foxes, lynx, and bears inhabit more remote areas. The landscape transforms seasonally from snow-covered terrain to meadows filled with purple saxifrage, mountain avens, and arctic bell-heather.

Scientific Research

Scientists at the Abisko Scientific Research Station track changes in the local ecosystem and climate. Their monitoring shows that permafrost is retreating from lower elevations as temperatures rise and snowfall increases. The station's work contributes to understanding how Arctic environments respond to climate change.

Average temperatures during the day in Abisko National Park.
December
-2°
Jan
-3°
Feb
-3°
Mar
0°
Apr
4°
May
10°
Jun
15°
Jul
18°
Aug
16°
Sep
11°
Oct
6°
Nov
1°

What people say about Abisko National Park

4.8

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