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By train to the Northern Lights - From Svolvær to Abisko in Sweden

Tshaj tawm: 22.10.2023

In order to travel to Abisko, Sweden, I had to make a stopover in Narvik. I actually wanted to travel from there to Kiruna, a place a little east of Abisko. From there we should go to Kolari in Finland and then on to Helsinki. However, there was no connection between Kiruna and Kolari and so I had to replan my trip a bit. There's actually not much to say about Narvik, I didn't particularly like the city. My hotel was also pretty bad for the price so I was glad I only booked one night there. However, the conditions for northern lights were very good that evening, so I wandered around the city to find a dark place where I could see the lights clearly. I landed at the harbor, where there was no one anywhere, but unfortunately there was still too much light. But I was still able to see them well and take a few photos. The night was okay, breakfast the next morning too. Although I expected something better for the price.

On the way to Narvik.
Narvik is already in sight on the left.
Narvik itself looked like a cold industrial city.
Next time I'll take a tripod and maybe another camera. I observed several times that people took better pictures with iPhones. Hm.

At around 3 p.m. my train left for Abisko. I discovered accommodation there on the edge of the national park, with some hiking trails in the area and beautiful surroundings. The Abisko Turiststation is a kind of youth hostel, with shared and single rooms, a small restaurant, a shop and 2 museums. It is also near a large lake and has its own train station. The town of Abisko itself is about 3 kilometers east of it. The train ride on the Arctic Train led past deep gorges, valleys and idyllic lakeside locations. But there was snow everywhere, which I hadn't quite realized. I didn't really travel further north, but I did travel away from the warmer coast. Afterwards I learned that there is usually no snow in Abisko at this time of year.

On the train ride to Abisko. Bjørnfjell is the last place before the Swedish border.
The landscape was beautiful. Unfortunately there are always reflections in the photos through the window pane.
It's definitely nice here in the summer, but I wouldn't want to live here in the winter.
I slowly realized that things wouldn't be any different in Abisko when it came to snow.

When I got out I met Maiti, a doctor from Cologne, who also had to go to the tourist station (there was no other accommodation far and wide). So we looked for the way there and to the reception together. We happened to get the same room in the tourist station hostel building. And she had the bed above me. We then went together to the restaurant in the main building and then went looking for the northern lights. Which meant we were constantly getting dressed to go out and undressed to go back in whenever the Northern Lights were visible on the live camera at the nearby Aurora Sky Station. Unfortunately they weren't very intense that evening.

The main building of the Abisko Turiststation.
Everything was lovingly furnished and there were cozy niches to sit in everywhere.

The next morning we decided to go on a short hike in the area together. I had already picked out the route down to the lake in advance because it runs along the river, there is a gorge there and I suspected birds. The hiking trail was beautiful, despite the snow. We saw tracks of deer, a dipper and Lapland tits. The area around the river delta was marked as a bird sanctuary and looked really idyllic. On the way back we walked a little faster because we had gotten a little cold by now. A very nice little hiking tour and in summer it is definitely even more magical here. At around 5 p.m. Maiti had to take the train to Stockholm and I accompanied her to the train station. It was very nice to have met her and I had a short but very pleasant and interesting time with her. Thanks for that 🙂

The entrance to the hiking trail.
This border defense museum felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. But it was closed.
The view into the gorge of the Abisko River.
This flow was artificially created over 100 years ago so that there was no need to build a bridge over the river.
The river was partially frozen over, but the water still made its way.
And the water was crystal clear.
Unfortunately the sun didn't really come out, but at least it didn't rain.
The view from the river to the tourist station.
Maiti very brave. I didn't dare get that close because it was quite slippery.
The hiking trail was really idyllic. However, the birch trees didn't look very healthy. No idea why. From here the bird sanctuary began.
The river delta is already in the background.
We were able to observe a dipper 😍
She bathed and swam very relaxed in the icy water.
A Lapland titmouse. Unfortunately a bit blurry, but I was really happy about the birds.
The river delta. I can well imagine that there will be more birds here from spring onwards.
Down by the lake.
The bank was slightly frozen over.
From here there was a good view of the Aurora Sky Station, which is located at the top of the mountain but is currently closed for maintenance.
The train to Stockholm arrives.

I had booked a Northern Lights tour for the evening as Abisko might be the last place I would be able to see the lights so well. Abisko is also one of the best places for northern lights because the conditions there are optimal. My group consisted of 6 people and our guide Zac. We didn't go far out because Zac said we could probably see the lights best at the lake near Abisko. There was also a small private cabin there and Zac built a fire in the stove for us. However, we stood outside most of the time and I was glad that I had booked a cold suit and snowshoes. After a short while the first northern lights appeared, although not yet very intense. After a warm-up lap at the hut, Zac called us outside as the lights were getting more intense. And they were really bright and traveled across the night sky. At times we were surrounded by northern lights and didn't know where to look first. Unfortunately, my camera isn't suitable for photographing the northern lights, but Zac took some pictures that I'll get in a few weeks. We even saw aurora borealis with a red component for a few minutes, which is comparatively rare. Zac said it was the best night for Northern Lights since he started the season 3 weeks ago. Mega. I fell into bed after midnight, pretty cold but happy.

In the pictures taken by others, especially those taken by our guide, the northern lights were a hundred times easier to see, sometimes even when you could barely see them with the naked eye.
When the lights with the red component appeared later, I preferred to enjoy them with the naked eye rather than through the camera. Zac took another picture of me with the northern lights in the background and when I saw it I had tears in my eyes. I hope I get the picture very soon.

The next day I was due to leave. Unfortunately. The Abisko Turiststation and the whole surrounding area really impressed and fascinated me and I would really like to come back again in warmer weather and explore the area. My train to Luleå left at 12:37 p.m.

Thank you very much for reading and best regards ❤



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