Day trips from Kiruna to Abisko and Narvik

6 min read Updated October 2026 Compare all tours

From Kiruna the E10 and the railway head west towards Norway, past the lake Torneträsk. A day trip along this line takes you to Abisko National Park, to the ski village of Björkliden and, if you cross the border, to Narvik at the end of the ore railway. Guided tours cover the full route in six to eight hours, with hotel pickup in Kiruna.

Abisko National Park

The park was founded on 24 May 1909, one of the first national parks in Sweden. It covers 7,700 hectares, of which 6,807 are land, and lies about 100 km west of Kiruna. The E10 and the railway pass straight through it, and the station inside the park is called Abisko Turist.

The best-known stop is the Abisko canyon. The tourist office calls it easily accessible, and the day tours by Explore Arctic and Kiruna Guidetur include it. Beyond the village lies Torneträsk, the sixth-largest lake in Sweden by area, about 331 km² and up to 168 metres deep. In winter its surface freezes, and one tour includes a walk out onto the ice.

From viewpoints along the way you see Lapporten, a U-shaped valley just outside the park. Its Northern Sámi name, Čuonjávággi, means goose valley.

Björkliden and the Silver Waterfall

Björkliden is a ski village about 15 minutes by car beyond Abisko, 104 km from Kiruna, looking out over Torneträsk. Its ski area has 23 pistes from green to black and more than 8,000 metres of lift system. On the day tours it is the lunch stop: the Abisko and Björkliden tour eats at a local hotel there, and the Kiruna Guidetur tour stops at the Silverfallet, the Silver Waterfall in Björkliden.

Choosing an Abisko tour

The Abisko tours cover much the same ground, so the details make the difference. The Explore Arctic trip combines the canyon cliffs, the Silver Waterfall, a seasonal walk on the frozen Torneträsk and lunch in Björkliden. The path down to the lake is short but quite steep, and reviewers mention icy sections, so wear boots with a good sole. Snowshoes and clothing are not included. Children can join from 5 years.

Kiruna Guidetur drives a van to the Abisko canyon, the Silverfallet and the Lapporten viewpoint, and serves a Swedish lunch that is often fish, with vegetarian options. It is the tour here that lends outdoor clothing, and it also runs in summer. The group meets at a fixed point in Kiruna rather than at your hotel.

Lights of Vikings plans short walks in Abisko, in Björkliden and on Torneträsk, the Silver Waterfall and a viewpoint facing Lapporten, with cookies and hot drinks. Snowshoes are provided if needed. Lunch appears in the title but not in the tour details, so read the inclusions before you book. Guests must be at least 14, and one reviewer expected more hiking than the tour offered.

Abisko after dark is a different trip. Evening tours to the national park and the Aurora Sky Station are on the northern lights page.

Over the border to Narvik

Narvik is 178 km from Kiruna, on a fjord on the Norwegian coast. The ore railway, Malmbanan, runs single-track for 500 km from Boden through Kiruna to Riksgränsen at the border, and continues as Ofotbanen for the last 42 km down to Narvik. Ofotbanen has no link to the rest of the Norwegian rail network, and the iron ore from Kiruna is loaded onto ships in Narvik.

The Narvik tour by Explore Arctic follows Torneträsk past Abisko, crosses the border and visits the town and viewpoints over the fjord. It takes eight hours with hotel pickup, and lunch is a break in town where you choose from the places there. Bring your passport or ID card. The tour suits guests from 6 years.

Train, bus or your own car

Going on your own is possible, but each option has limits in winter.

• The train between Kiruna and Narvik runs daily all year and stops at Abisko Turist. Tickets cannot be bought at the station or on board, only online in advance. Kiruna station is about 6 km from the centre, with free shuttle buses for every train.
• Bus 91 runs between Kiruna and Riksgränsen from June to September and from February to April. The ride from Kiruna bus station to Abisko Turist takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• By car, Abisko is just over an hour along the E10. There are fuel stations in Kiruna and in Abisko.

Swedish law requires winter tyres on cars from 1 December to 31 March whenever there is snow, ice, slush or frost on any part of the road. Studded tyres are allowed from 1 October to 15 April. Rental cars in Kiruna come with seasonal tyres, and locals usually switch to studs in mid-October. The tourist office warns that reindeer, moose or a fox can appear on the road at any time and that the weather changes quickly in winter, so check the road conditions with Trafikverket before you set off. For flights, the night train and the airport bus, see getting to Kiruna.

When to go

Light matters more on a day trip than on most activities. The sun does not rise in Kiruna from 11 December to 1 January, and on 21 December there is twilight from 08:56 to 14:18. By 1 February the sun is above the horizon from 08:56 to 14:50, and by 1 March from 06:59 to 16:45. In February and March a six-hour tour fits far better into the daylight. In midwinter, a shorter outing such as a visit to the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi fits the few bright hours more easily.