Northern lights over Lake Torneträsk

Abisko National Park

Abisko nationalpark · Norrbotten, Sweden (Lake Torneträsk)

Foto: Pavel.shyshkouski · CC BY-SA 4.0

A lakeside national park 195 km north of the Arctic Circle, free of light pollution, at the start of the King's Trail.

Antes de ir · Know before you go

  • Don't light fires or pick plants in the national park
  • in winter don't leave the trails alone to head into the mountains

Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.

Culture

Cultura y costumbres

Contexto cultural

Abisko National Park was established in 1909, the same year Sweden passed its first nature conservation law. The park stretches about 15 km south-west from the shore of Torneträsk, one of Sweden's largest lakes, 195 km north of the Arctic Circle: in summer you can see the midnight sun, and in winter the absence of light pollution makes it ideal for watching the northern lights. The 440-km Kungsleden ('King's Trail') hiking route along the Scandinavian Mountains starts (or ends) at the Abisko tourist station. The park also has a research station carrying out long-term climate, ecology and geology research.

Costumbres locales

  • Sweden has the 'right of public access', letting you hike and camp in nature as long as you don't damage the environment or disturb others
  • national parks have stricter rules

Etiquette

Normas y tabúes

Normas que se aplican aquí

Línea rojaConducciónSweden

Sweden: winter tyres are compulsory in winter

  • From 1 December to 31 March, make sure your hire car has winter tyres
  • Driving on ordinary tyres in winter

It is a legal requirement.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Sweden travel advice

Línea rojaModales cotidianosSweden

Sweden: drugs, including cannabis, are strictly prohibited

  • Stay away from drugs of any kind
  • Possessing, using or carrying drugs, even in small amounts

Up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Sweden travel advice

No lo haga DON'T

  • Don't light fires or pick plants in the national park
  • in winter don't leave the trails alone to head into the mountains

Lo que aprecian los locales DO

Swedes appreciate visitors who follow national-park rules and take their rubbish away.

Plan your visit

Información práctica

Mejor épocaSeptember–March, at night
Tiempo recomendado2–3 days

Consejos de viaje

  • Abisko lies between Kiruna and Narvik in Norway, and trains stop at Abisko Turiststation
  • the Icehotel near Kiruna is also famous. Winters are extremely cold, so watch for avalanche and weather warnings. The aurora depends on solar activity and weather, so check the aurora forecast (Kp index) and cloud cover before you go
  • chances are usually best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Get away from city lights, bring a tripod and dress very warmly.
Fuentes y notas de verificación

Wikipedia: Abisko National Park

Wikipedia: Aurora