🧭 Historic walks
Towns being moved, ice turned into architecture, valleys opening Kungsleden and Sámi meeting places with roots back to 1605. Here are four routes through Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi, Abisko and Jokkmokk.
📍 Kiruna · ⏱ 2–3 hours · 🥾 Easy
The town moving east while the LKAB mine continues beneath the mountain
📍 Kiruna · ⏱ 2–4 hours · 🥾 Easy
Icehotel, a 17th-century church and the river that gives the ice its form
📍 Kiruna · ⏱ 3–5 hours · 🥾 Easy to moderate
The tourist station, Abiskojåkka canyon and the aurora mountain Nuolja
📍 Jokkmokk · ⏱ 3–4 hours · 🥾 Easy
Ájtte, the winter market from 1605 and the gateway toward Laponia
The town moving east while the LKAB mine continues beneath the mountain
Kiruna was built around the iron ore of Kirunavaara. When mining caused ground deformation, one of Europe’s most discussed town relocations began. Today you can read the story in the new centre, see LKAB’s role in the landscape and follow the trail of Kiruna Church, moved about five kilometres in August 2025.
The new centre replaces parts of old Kiruna affected by the mine. The Kristallen city hall, squares and new blocks show a town being moved as a living community, not as a museum.
The large wooden church from 1912 is one of Kiruna’s strongest symbols. It was moved in August 2025 as part of the urban transformation after mine expansion made the old site vulnerable.
LKAB’s underground iron ore mine is the reason for both Kiruna’s growth and today’s relocation. From town you see how mountain, industry and everyday life sit close together.
Icehotel, a 17th-century church and the river that gives the ice its form
Jukkasjärvi is a short trip from Kiruna and gathers three layers of history: Sámi and Tornedalian settlement, the old wooden church from the early 17th century and Icehotel, which since 1990 has turned snow and ice from the Torne River into art and architecture.
The world’s first ice hotel opened here in 1990. The winter hotel is built from snow and ice, while Icehotel 365 makes ice art available year-round.
The wooden church is considered the village’s oldest building, raised in the early 17th century. The altarpiece by Bror Hjorth is known for Sámi motifs and local roots.
The tourist station, Abiskojåkka canyon and the aurora mountain Nuolja
Abisko is the northern gateway to Kungsleden, with STF Abisko Turiststation as the classic starting point. Short trails lead to the Abiskojåkka canyon, while the chairlift up Nuolja leads toward Aurora Sky Station and one of Sweden’s best-known aurora areas.
The classic mountain station sits at the southern start of Kungsleden. From here you get maps, food, lodging and easy access to the national park.
Abiskojåkka has cut a clear canyon through the bedrock near the tourist station. It is one of the easiest ways to see the national park’s geology and water power in a short walk.
Ájtte, the winter market from 1605 and the gateway toward Laponia
Jokkmokk is a Sámi centre just north of the Arctic Circle, with Ájtte as the main museum for Sámi culture and the mountain world. Every winter Jokkmokk Market gathers trade, craft, food and meetings in a tradition dating back to 1605. To the west lies Laponia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and living Sámi cultural landscape.
Ájtte is the Swedish mountain and Sámi museum and a key place for understanding reindeer herding, duodji, language, land use and Sámi history.
The market has been held since 1605 and remains one of Sápmi’s most important winter gatherings, with trade, concerts, seminars, food and duodji.
The Torne River is one of the great rivers of the north and the source material for much of Icehotel’s snow and ice art. It ties Jukkasjärvi to nature, fishing and winter architecture.
Aurora Sky Station sits on Nuolja and is closely tied to Abisko’s reputation as an aurora destination. Weather decides the experience, but the view over Torneträsk and the mountains is powerful even without aurora.
The Laponia World Heritage Site lies west of Jokkmokk and includes large national parks and Sámi working landscapes. The town route helps you understand the landscape before travelling onward.