Hiking near Abisko National Park

Above the clouds

Offerplatz/Paddus, 9 am. I left Kiruna yesterday. I wanted to hike, to go to the wild. I got up earlier than the sun and left my hostel more than an hour ago. The mist misguided my steps but I finally found my path above the clouds. I’m alone. Facing the white and fluffy sea. The mountains are magnificent. So are the birds…

The sun burns my face so hard that I can barely feel the cold. I’m desperately looking for the signs: I tend to unintentionally lose myself as soon as I get the chance. In fact, I already did it at least 3 times! Now I’m walking on large lowland and I try to keep approximately the direction using the shapes of the peaks. I was scared only once: I crossed some water and I wasn’t sure if it was the river or not. It wasn’t. The river is huge! In fact, it’s in a canyon: unmissable! And gorgeous…

I feel slipping in the fog as the path is going own. The lovely trees and clear water become mysterious and bleak. The colors fade away and the river is so dark that you can see your face in it. The narrow path zigzags in the forest. My feet stick in the mud and the cold grows stronger. I put my sweatshirt and my jacket back. I add gloves, beanie and scarf.

I feel slipping in the fog as the path is going own. The lovely trees and clear water become mysterious and bleak. The colors fade away and the river is so dark that you can see your face in it. The narrow path zigzags in the forest. My feet stick to the mud and the cold grows stronger. I put my sweatshirt and my jacket back. I add gloves, bonnet and scarf.

After 9 hours losing myself in a wonderful hike, I find the kitchen and my room with a smiley face.

This is where I leave you. Hot tea, good book, chit-chat with newly made friends. Still thinking about the beauty of the day. Heaven is not far away…

Breathe the warm air of the North.

Enjoy.

... Practical Corner

The hike I describe is not in the Abisko National Park in itself but just next to it. I took me about 8 hours but I stopped to eat/chill/lose myself and I'm not fast... I also walked along the lake from Absiko Turiststation to Abisko Östra: it's flat, short and nice!

The tourist center in Abisko Turiststation is probably full of information but as it was low season it wasn't often opened... Just in front of it there are some boards where you can have a hint of the fauna & flora and the paths around.

The hostel "abisko.net" is absolutely wonderful, I recommend it! Nice people, happy to help and giving advices about hikes and others. But as everywhere in Sweden: take your bed linen with you or you'll have to pay an extra...

Be aware that there isn't a lot to do in Abisko besides outdoor activities. No shops, no dance floor, just nature. It's a place where you live simply and enjoy what the landscape gives you. Note that when it's not high season almost everything is closed: there was only one supermarket opened (very small!) in Östra and that's it! So if you don't have a car choose wisely where and when you go ;)