Kiruna: Trails, Winter and Culture

In Kiruna, the Kungsleden passes through Abisko National Park. The long-distance trail follows the Abiskojåkka through Abisko Canyon and leads to its delta in Lake Torneträsk.

Nature

Kiruna Municipality has more than 530,000 hectares of protected areas, including national parks as well as nature and wildlife reserves. Within the municipal boundaries there are also around 6,000 lakes and six rivers. Long hiking trails lead to various scenic places.

Abisko National Park can be reached via the E10 and by railway. The Tourist Station and Naturum are within walking distance of bus and train stops as well as several hiking trails. In Abisko National Park, Naturum Abisko, located next to the Tourist Station, has nature guides, exhibitions, a film and lecture hall, and a shop. The exhibition addresses the effects of climate change on sensitive mountain ecosystems and showcases the national park’s distinctive geology, flora and fauna.

The summit of Kebnekaise is situated at around 2,100 metres above sea level and can be reached by ski in winter and hiking boots in summer. A guided cave excursion leads through narrow passages and water-created formations; afterwards, a walk along the Kåppasjåkka River leads to waterfalls and potholes.

Winter

Kiruna Municipality has around 1,500 kilometres of snowmobile trails. There are 63 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, including 28 kilometres of illuminated trails.

The Luossavaara ski slope is Kiruna’s central slope for skiing and snowboarding. It has three lifts, four runs, a park with jumps and rails, a slope length of 2,500 metres and a vertical drop of 156 metres. Kiruna also has a 7.6-kilometre roller-ski track that starts at the Matojärvi sports field, forms a loop around the area and returns to the sports field.

ICEHOTEL 365 allows visitors to see ice creations year-round in a solar-powered, refrigerated environment with a constant temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius. ICEHOTEL also offers a guided ice-carving course. Participants work with a block of clear ice sourced from the Torne River and are introduced to the use of tools and the basics of ice carving.

Culture

ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi combines a hotel with an art exhibition created from snow and ice. The Arctic Light Film Festival takes place every year in November. Venues include Kiruna Folkets Hus, outdoor areas, ICEHOTEL and the LKAB mine 540 metres underground. The main programme of Snöfestivalen is Kiruna’s international snow sculpture competition, which attracts artists from around the world every year.

Kirunafestivalen has been a permanent part of Kiruna’s cultural summer since it was founded in 2000. Kin Museum of Contemporary Art is Norrbotten County’s museum of contemporary art and offers exhibitions, guided tours, workshops and other activities.

The LKAB Visitor Centre offers guided bus tours to a demonstration mine 540 metres underground. The tour at the LKAB Visitor Centre includes a 20,000-square-metre visitor facility with exhibitions and mining machinery, as well as a mining museum with historical environments, work equipment and photographs from the early 20th century.

In Kiruna, there are guided tours and a QR city tour through which visitors can learn more about the history, architecture and ongoing relocation of the town. Kiruna Church was inaugurated in 1912 and built in the shape of a Sámi kåta.

Regional Context

The regional context of Kiruna includes the places Karesuando, Riksgränsen, Björkliden, Lannavaara, Kiruna, Vittangi and Abisko.

Regional buses connect Kiruna town with villages and mountain destinations in the municipality; many of these services operate seasonally. Due to the long distances and seasonal public transport in Kiruna, you should check timetables, book in advance and plan your journey carefully when travelling to mountains, villages and border areas.

Sámi Culture

Karesuando’s visitor heritage includes Laestadius pörte and Laestadiusträdgården. Both are connected with Lars Levi Laestadius’s stay in the village from 1826 to 1849.

Márkanbáiki in Jukkasjärvi is an easily accessible place for a day visit, with a Sámi museum exhibition, encounters with reindeer and a short nature and culture trail. The Márkanbáiki visitor experience includes traditional Sámi flavours with a modern interpretation at the Ovttas restaurant.

For the overarching travel overview: Norrbotten.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Luleå.