Björkliden: Hiking Trails and Rallar History
Accommodation in Björkliden
In Björkliden, hiking trails, railway history, and natural attractions come together. Different points of reference can help you plan your trip: one marked circular trail is described by its length, while other trails are described by their difficulty. There are also cross-country ski trails with seasonal conditions, a railway station, and a range of leisure activities. You can tailor your stay to whether you mainly want to hike, learn about the history of the Malmbanan, or explore natural attractions.
File:Lapporten as seen over Torneträsk from Björkliden, Kiruna, Norrbottens län, Sweden, 2022 June.jpg
Photo: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) via Source, CC-BY-SA-4.0
Hiking and Trails
The round trip from Björkliden to Rallarkyrkogården is 8 km long. White and blue markings on tree trunks and signs mark the route. Nearby, the trail can be extended by 3 km round trip to the church in Tornehamn. Access to the nearby historic site may vary depending on conditions; check the situation before visiting.
Near Hotell Fjället, hiking trails range from peaceful forest walks to challenging summit climbs. Together with the circular trail to Rallarkyrkogården, this illustrates two different ways to plan: there, the focus is on a specific distance; here, on the range of hiking experiences. When planning, you can weigh the trail length against the kind of hike you want.
The Rallar cross-country ski trails start at the signpost for Rallarvägen, opposite the railway station in Björkliden. Conditions vary by season; check the current conditions before setting out.
Railway History Sites
Gammelgården is one of the engineers’ houses built in 1906 and still standing in the village of Björkliden. Until 1926, the house was a private residence. It was then acquired by SJ’s Vilohemsförening and made available to the association’s members.
Nearby is Tornehamns kyrkogård, also known as Rallarkyrkogården. The cemetery was established for those who died during construction of the Malmbanan ore railway. The two sites offer different historical perspectives: Gammelgården represents a preserved house with changing uses, while the cemetery commemorates the people who died during railway construction.
Natural Attractions and Activities
Silverfallet is near Björkliden. The waterfall is in a ravine and flows into Torneträsk. Above Björkliden lies Kåppasjokkgrottan, one of Sweden’s longest cave systems. The temperature in the cave stays at +8°C year-round. The two natural attractions differ in their basic form: a ravine with a waterfall, and a cave system with a constant temperature.
Björkliden is also home to Sweden’s northernmost golf course. A dog sled ride is offered for 2 to 8 people and lasts 2.5 hours. As activity details may change, check the specific offer before booking.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
SJ operates the train service between Stockholm and Björkliden. Check the current timetable before your trip. The railway station in Björkliden is about 1 km from Hotell Fjället. This distance gives a specific indication of the location of the hotel in relation to the station.
Discover more destinations: Karesuando, Lannavaara, Riksgränsen, Vittangi, Kiruna, Abisko
Back to the main travel overview: Kiruna.
