The blue hole above TornetrÀsk
Abisko is a small mountain village by the lake TornetrĂ€sk, just over an hour's drive northwest of Kiruna. The mountain range towards Norway catches precipitation from the Atlantic, resulting in the famous 'blue hole' â a patch of sky above TornetrĂ€sk that is remarkably often cloud-free. Combined with minimal light pollution, it makes Abisko one of the world's most renowned northern lights destinations.
From Abisko tourist station, the chairlift takes you up the mountain Nuolja to Aurora Sky Station, which guests reach in the winter darkness to see the northern lights from 900 metres altitude. The station is open in the evenings during the northern lights season â booking is strongly recommended in high season.
You don't need the lift to see the northern lights: the path along TornetrÀsk, the old road towards Björkliden and the area around the tourist station are all dark and open to the north.
Abisko National Park, established in 1909, is among Sweden's oldest. From here starts Kungsleden â Sweden's most famous mountain trail â and in summer the area offers easy day hikes, midnight sun and the characteristic canyon where AbiskojĂ„kka cuts through the rock.
In winter, the area is an eldorado for mountain expeditions, ice fishing on TornetrÀsk and dog sledding, with Björkliden and RiksgrÀnsen as alpine neighbours.
Take the train
Abisko has its own train station on the Ore Railway â the night train from Stockholm and local trains from Kiruna and Narvik stop here. This makes Abisko one of few world-renowned northern lights destinations you can reach without a car.
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