During every season of the year the mountains of Norrbotten have something to offer.
Spring
(March-May)
The Springtime in the mountains means sun and snow. Many consider it the best
season of the year. During the day the sun warms the snow. The cold temperatures at night
freeze a crust on the surface of the snow that makes it perfect for skiing and snowmobile
outings. This time suggests ice-fishing in mountain lakes and capercaillie mating calls.
In May the first flowers bloom – see the purple saxifrage in the canyon at Abisko.
Early summer (Midsummer-end of July)
The midnight sun is now visible, as are birds and the early flowers. The melting
snow fills the streams with water, making them hard to ford. The mosquitoes usually appear
about midsummer. Marking the reindeer calves takes place during the light and cool July
nights. Flowers bloom at their best in July, but late-blooming flowers blossom in August
as well.
Late summer (end of July- end of August)
In August the mosquitoes are not quite as thick, but the gnats come instead. It
gets darker in the evening. There are more hikers along the trails. Cloudberries are ready
to pick!
Autumn (September-October)
Nature explodes into colors: red, orange and yellow. It is colder and the air is
clear when the weather is good. Mountain tops turn white in September, and lots of snow
can fall in October.
Winter (November-February)
Everything slows down. The snow places a protecting cover over plants and makes the
dark days lighter. Some days snow storms create a seemingly impenetrable barrier. The
magic of the northern lights amaze the viewer as they dance across the sky. The short days
of midwinter consist of blue daylight with beautiful dawns and dusk. And it is cold,
sometimes below -40 degrees Centigrade.
Trails in the Mountains of Norrbotten
The mountains of Norrbotten offer extensive areas without roads through which to
hike or ski. There is a national system of trails which includes both summer and winter
trails, as well as snowmobile paths, bridges, foot-bridges, wind-shelters, outdoor
toilets, sheds for wood and the like, areas to place trash, row-boats and boat houses.
Along the larger trails there are mountain cabins within a day's walk of each other.
There are about fifty mountain cabins and lodges in the mountains of
Norrbotten belonging to the Swedish Touring Association (STF). It is also possible to find
lodging in cabins and rooms for rent that are owned by other enterprises and private
persons. Information about that type of lodging can be obtained from the tourist offices
of the respective district you are interested in visiting.
The trails in the mountains of Norrbotten offer diverse landscape from high
mountains with views that stretch dozens of miles, to compact birch forests with lush
vegetation. There are trails here for all kinds of hikers, from beginners to the very
experienced. For those who have never been to the mountains before, it is recommended that
they use the mountain cabins or tourist cottages. Day tours can then be taken on their own
or they can participate in a guided tour. There are also courses that STF or local tourist
enterprises organize.
Link to the Swedish Touring Association
with information in English and Deutsch.
