Nikkaluokta to Abisko – 7-Day Guided Trek

DAILY ITINERARY

01. Where the Trail Begins – The First Leg of the Hike

Our official start is at the large red wooden house in Nikkaluokta. Nikka is a place where my guiding business began, and the area means a lot to me. Over the years, I have hiked here with family members, people from Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, and others. I hope that also we will meet here and hike out into the mountains together. On the first day, we will hike below the tree line. It will be an easy hike to Enoks by the lake Laddju. If they are open, we’ll enjoy a coffee break before continuing. After Enoks, the trail becomes narrower, gradually rockier, and a little undulating. Above and between the birches, we’ll catch glimpses of waterfalls and beautiful mountains in many different formations. Perhaps a helicopter transport will fly by on its way to Kebnekaise. At the end of our day’s hike, we’ll cross the bridge over Tarfalajokken and then begin looking for a good camping spot before the mountain station.

02. Kebnekaise and Beyond

We start the day by hiking to Kebnekaise Mountain Station, where we will stop for a while to check out the old part of the station and enjoy a good cup of coffee before we head out above the tree line and onto the kalfjäll (mountain plateau). We cross the wooden bridge, the suspension bridge, pass the dance floor, and enter between the mountains. Somewhere here, the mobile signal disappears. We take small breaks at regular intervals, refuel with energy, and enjoy the views as we do so. The goal for the day is to pass the small lakes south of our trail, and as the water begins its journey down towards Singi, we’ll also descend a bit to find a campsite with a fantastic view. If the evening is nice, we’ll set up a tarp and gather under it to talk and eat together before it’s time to crawl into our tents and sleep.

03. North on Kungsleden – Towards Sälka and Sauna Warmth

We hope for good weather as we pack our backpacks once again and head down towards Singi. When we reach the Singi cabins, we’ll also be on Kungsleden, the classic and world-famous hiking trail from Hemavan to Abisko. In Singi, we change direction and now head north towards the Sälka cabins, where we will stay for the night. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a wood-fired sauna and, as usual, wash ourselves in the nearby stream. We will sleep in tents but can enjoy a chair for a while and perhaps find something in the kiosk if we feel like it.

04. Up, Down, and Onward – A Day on Kungsleden

After Sälka, we continue north towards the pass, Kungsleden’s highest point and ours as well. We make our way up at our own pace and gather at the meditation site for a group photo with a magical view in the background. A little later, we stand at the summit hut and have the chance to see in both directions. Some years, there may be a small snowfield here, and if so, we can throw a few snowballs if we feel like. From the summit hut, it’s all downhill. We pass through the moon-like landscape with many stones and then emerge onto the grassy fields that remind us of scenes from The Sound of Music. We cross a wider but easy stream and then hike the final kilometer down across the large, flat grass field where we’ll set up camp for the night. If the weather allows, we’ll also have the chance to take a stroll in the evening. There’s an old turf hut, a beautiful waterfall, and good hunting grounds for finding reindeer antlers on the ground.

05. From Boardwalk to Beach – Hike to Alesjaure

Today, we’ll encounter a mix of boardwalks, stones, and a few suspension bridges. We’ve already hiked more than halfway, and it’s now closer to Abisko than it is to return to Nikka. We’ll see the Alesjaure cabins in the distance, perched on a small hill by the lake, but we still have quite a distance to go before we reach them. Once there, there’s a kiosk and the chance to enjoy a coffee indoors with windows facing south. You might recognize the view from the many pictures taken in the area, and perhaps you’ve even seen this view on the box of certain Primus stoves when you buy them. If you ask the staff, they might show you the photo album or tell you the story of the taxi driver who started coming here after seeing the black-and-white film about Kungsleden. There’s also a waterfall a bit past the Sámi settlement, called “Phantom’s Fall.” Can you guess why? When we’re ready, we’ll walk the final stretch to the small peninsula that juts out, where we’ll camp on the beach. We hope for a beautiful evening with a chance for a quick swim, but if it’s windy, we’ll take shelter in the dense brush, which is plentiful in the area.

06. From the Mountains to the Forest – Our Final Night Outdoors

Today, there will be some smaller ups and downs on the hills. We’ll pass the boat dock, and hopefully, there will be water at the small last stream before the reindeer fence. We’ll stop to eat there and enjoy being above the tree line still. Take the opportunity to soak in the mountains, glaciers, and the views around us. Today, we’ll hike down Kieronbacken and below the tree line. We’ll cross a smaller suspension bridge and set up camp shortly afterward. If it’s not raining and there’s plenty of firewood, we’ll light a fire to gather around. It’s the last night out in the field. We’re close to the border of Abisko National Park.

07. From the Canyon’s Roar to the Mountain Station’s Warm Embrace

We may start the day with a good cup of coffee before packing up our gear for the last time and heading into Abisko National Park. A short way into the park, on our left, we pass a military fortification memorial, which we can visit if interested, and the Abiskojaure huts are also available for a stop as we pass them. There will be quite a bit of boardwalk, eventually transitioning into simpler gravel roads. We’ll pass a lake on our left, crossing it completely. We’ll also pass a traditional turf hut, and then the water will become wilder as it leaves the lake. At a small campsite between the suspension bridges, we’ll take a break. We’ll check the firewood supply, and if there’s wood, we’ll cook our meal here while enjoying the warmth and flames of the fire. At the canyon, we stop again for a group photo and take 10 minutes to reflect on the days we’ve shared. It’s often quite loud with the powerful flow of water, but it’s also incredibly beautiful here. We walk under the railway and the main road, look at the murals, pass the railway museum, and take the final hills up to the mountain station. We’ve reached our destination! Here, a hot shower, delicious food, sauna if you wish, and, last but not least, a bed await us.

The following morning, breakfast is included before the program ends. I’ll take a short walk for my usual dip in the canyon, where the current is a bit gentler, before heading home. Maybe you’d like to join me?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – NIKKALUOKTA TO ABISKO

The hike at a glance

• 7 days
• Approximately 110 km
• Hiking from Nikkaluokta to Abisko
• Mostly along the Kungsleden and Dag Hammarskjöldsleden
• A mix of mountain terrain, birch forest and open alpine landscapes
• Overnight stays in tents during the hike
• Final night at STF Abisko Turiststation

Training for the hike

To prepare properly, I recommend training by hiking regularly in varied and challenging terrain while carrying a backpack. Include longer days in your training and become comfortable hiking with the equipment you will use during the trip.

Travel to and from the starting point

You are responsible for booking your own travel to and from the starting point. We strongly recommend that you do not book any train or flight tickets until your accommodation and the trip as a whole have been confirmed by us.

You can easily reach the starting point in Nikkaluokta by bus from Kiruna. The bus departs from Kiruna and takes you directly to Nikkaluokta, making it easy to connect from the train. For current timetables, prices and bookings, visit Nikkaluoktaexpressen.

After the hike, the easiest option is to continue by train from STF Abisko Turiststation, where we also stay. You can book your train journey through SJ.

We recommend allowing some extra time before and after the hike. Mountain weather, delays and changes to transport services can affect your journey, so it is always wise to avoid tight connections.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Mountain weather can change quickly. Safety always comes first, and the itinerary may need to be adjusted depending on weather, water levels and trail conditions. The aim is to complete the tour according to plan whenever conditions allow.

How large is the group?

We keep the groups small to create a more personal and comfortable experience. Small group – maximum 8 participants.