Lapland
Most often people think of Finland when they hear the word Lapland.
However, Lapland is also the northernmost region of Sweden.
Lapland is located above the polar circle which means that during the winter, it gets very cold and the sun rarely sees the days.
During the summertime, you can experience the phenomenal called Midnight Sun where the sun basically never leaves the sky.
Lapland is also home to the Sami people, who prefer to call it by the name in their own language, Sápmi.
I went on a road trip during the autumn of 2020 and drove from Copenhagen towards the very north of Scandinavia. Scandinavia may not seem very big, but don’t underestimate that the drive from Copenhagen-Lapland is the same as driving from Copenhagen to Barcelona. Sweden is a huge country!
Along the way, I had several stops along the coast with lots of great destinations for hiking, city life, and getting closer to the Swedish lifestyle.
Check out the blogpost right below for more inspiration on a road trip in Sweden.
Some facts about Abisko National Park:
- For thousands of years, the Sami people have lived in this region.
- The national park was established in 1909 and is one of the first national parks in all of Sweden.
- At the. beginning of 1900 a railway was established from Kiruna to the ocean harbor in Narvik to transport Iron Ore from the mines in Kiruna.
- Abisko is one of the best places to spot the Northern Light in all of Europe
- You can find bears, wolfs and lynxes in the national Park
Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park is located in the very northern part of Sweden, only 30km to the Norwegian border.
The national park is huge and you can take lots of different hiking trails. During my stay at the national park, I saw all types of people of all ages enjoying their time in the wilderness.
One of the most remarkable places to visit was for me the Abiskoeatnu canyon, which is accessible directly from STF Abisko Turiststation, which I mention below as a recommended accommodations.
There are several shelters located at the national park, which is run by the Swedish Tourist organizations. The shelters make it possible to take longer walks for several days around the national park.
I found a small pack of reindeers during my hike around Abisko
There are plenty of different trails and all well marked and accessible
A reindeer hiding in the autumn colors
The colors during the autumn months, especially in September is incredible
Get your own poster now
We sell prints that include a frame made of solid natural oak in a thin and minimalist Scandinavian look with glass. We have chosen to use a local printing company in Copenhagen. The reason for choosing this company is that they live up to our expectations in relation to an environmentally friendly production. All packaging for the frames is 80% recycled and their tubes are 99% recycled and the paper is FSC certified. For the same reason, we have chosen a ‘print on demand’ solution, so as not to mass-produce the posters in an offset print.
Kungsleden
Kungsleden is one of the most famous hiking trails in Sweden, and it’s located at the national park of Abisko. It’s more than 400 km long and starts in Hemavan in the south and end up in Abisko in the very north of Sweden. Along the way, you enter, Stora Sjöfallet, Sarek, and Pieljekaise and Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, which is one of the largest protected areas in all of Europe.
Northern Light at Abisko
Northern Light is a mindblowing phenomenon that should be on everybody’s bucket list of must-see places during a lifetime.
From September to March it possible to spot the Northern Light in Abisko.
Apparently the location of the Abisko National Park is superb for watching the Northern Light. The unique climate around the mountains keeps the skies almost clear, and there is close to no light pollution at all at Abisko, which makes the conditions outstanding for watching the Northern Light.
There is an Aurora Sky Station located at Abisko which should be the perfect spot for watching the dancing light across the sky.
If you’re into Northern Light you should check out this blogpost
STF Abisko Turiststation
Located inside of the beautiful national park Abisko you’ll find STF Abisko Turiststation. This places has existed for more than 100 years!
There are several types of rooms at STF Abisko Turiststation.
The private bathroom at a double room
There is a great restaurant at STF that serves lovely food
All food is adapted to the season and you easily find vegetarian dishes as well at the restaurant.
If you are curious about the prices and availability, click on the link below.
Transportation to Abisko
There are several ways of reaching the northernmost national park in Sweden and Abisko.
There has been established an electric train to run on a daily basis from Stockholm to Narvik, and this train ride should be absolutely stunning!
Almost same route as the train track you’ll find the E4 highway that goes up through the west coast of Sweden and changes to the E10 highway, that connects Kiruna and Narvik.
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