Abisko lies in northern Sweden on Lake Torneträsk, a mountain lake 71km/44mi long, up to 9km/6mi wide and 164m/538ft deep. It is reached on the Lapland Railroad, which runs from Kiruna to Narvik, or on a road running parallel to the railroad. Abisko, situated on the northern edge of the Abisko National Park, is the starting-point of the Kungsleden (Royal Trail). The midnight sun is visible here from June 13 to July 4.
Abisko is known for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and other winter activities.
Abisko depends almost entirely on the tourist trade. From the tourist hotel, situated on a 15m/50ft deep canyon-like gorge on the Abiskojokk, there are wide views of Lake Torneträsk and the mountains. There are motorboat trips on the lake.
A trip on the Lapland Railway (known beyond the Norwegian frontier as the Ofot Line) to Narvik is an experience not to be missed: for the best views, sit on the right. The line runs under Mt Njula in the longest tunnel in Sweden (1,100m/1,200yd) and crosses the Rakkasjokk on a high viaduct.
The train from Abisko to Nravik comes to the little town of Björkliden (alt. 420m/1,378ft), in a beautiful setting. 20minutes' walk to the southeast is the picturesque Rakkaskårtje waterfall, formed by the Rakkasjokk at its entry into Lake Torneträsk. The line follows the shores of the lake for another 5km/3mi and then turns west.
After passing through the Tornehamn Tunnel (536m/580yd long) the Abisko-Narvik train comes to Kopparåsen station, beyond which the landscape shows the typical scouring effect of glaciers. It then continues to Vassijaure and the frontier station, Riksgränsen (alt. 520m/1,706ft), in a popular skiing area. The mountains here are almost completely treeless. 2km/1.25mi beyond the Riksgränsen station is the Norwegian frontier, beyond which the line continues to Narvik.
A cableway 1,958m/2,140yd long and a marked footpath run up Mt Njula or Nuolja (1,199m/3,934ft). From the summit of the hill the midnight sun can be seen from May 31 to July 18.
15km/9mi south of Abisko are two mountains, Pallemtjåkko (1,740m/5,709ft) and Nissontjårre (1,745m/5,725ft), which offer rewarding climbs. Between Nissontjårre and (1,582m/5,191ft), to the east, is the saddle known as the Lapporten ("Lapps' Gate").
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