Kiruna Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Road Trips
So, planning a trip up north to Kiruna and thinking about hitting the open road? It’s almost a fantastic idea! Kiruna, which is located way up in Swedish Lapland, is that kind of place where the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and a car tour? It’s the perfect way to see all that this region offers, too it’s a unique sort of place. From the amazing Northern Lights to vast, snowy landscapes, getting around by car means you can discover all these gems at your own speed. That means seeing so much at your own pace!
1. The Classic Kiruna-Abisko Route
The Kiruna-Abisko route? It is that drive that many folks who come to the region are keen to experience. Why? Is that because it mixes comfort with nature, too it’s really cool! Leaving Kiruna, you’ll very quickly find yourself heading into a wide open space that provides pretty awesome views. This route gives you a super front-row seat to Torneträsk Lake, that largest alpine lake in Sweden. Make a pit stop there to snag a few pics. Torneträsk Lake, it is that one stop you should probably consider.
And as you move closer to Abisko, the mountains seem to just grow, too it’s a surreal landscape! This makes the drive scenic but manageable, even if you’re not that experienced when it comes to driving in wintry conditions. Keep your eyes peeled for reindeer – you may see them crossing the road pretty much any time. Getting a look at those fuzzy locals? It’s always such a blast! The whole trip is quite short, a touch over 100 km, so you can take your time and soak in all that natural loveliness. Remember to carry snow chains, in the winter anyway.
Read our full review: Kiruna to Abisko Road Trip Full Review and Details
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2. Jukkasjärvi and the Icehotel
Up for a short and very sweet drive? Is that so the trip to Jukkasjärvi is definitely that short tour that’s still spectacular. Is that this town houses the famous Icehotel, which is that hotel that changes shape a little each year. And the ride? It’s only about 20 minutes from Kiruna! That provides that flexibility. Even so, what a ride it is. Picture driving a bit across a stark, snowy expanse as you head toward this temporary winter wonderland.
While you’re there, you really could stretch your legs a touch and check out the Icehotel’s winter art installations, even the Ice Church. They truly put on a unique showing. A car actually offers some flexibility for repeat visits, as the ice structure changes depending when in the season it might be. What about a stop at the Sami museum after seeing art? You can use the same car to go there, pretty much whenever!
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3. The Scenic Route to Nikkaluokta
Desire a somewhat longer trip that has gorgeous views? Then this route towards Nikkaluokta will most likely be a super place to start. Is that this trip serves as that starting spot if you’re up for hiking Kebnekaise, that Sweden’s tallest peak. So it acts like a really nice primer for that adventure!
As you drive towards Nikkaluokta, the scenery actually shifts into that of the true arctic: vast stretches with hardy vegetation, big sky, quite desolate. That road follows the river Kalixälven which, actually adds drama, and really, who doesn’t want more drama in their drive, actually? Seeing that body snaking through? So the natural views add that drama! Pack hiking boots in the vehicle to stretch your legs after you reach town; walking actually adds an excellent counterpoint to being seated so long, right? Even better, use this trip to get used to what Lapland really is, so you can appreciate Sweden that much more, that’s my plan anyway!
Read our full review: Nikkaluokta Road Trip Full Review and Details
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4. Exploration to Idivuoma
Ready to venture off the frequently traveled path? That the drive out to Idivuoma could really just offer you that chance to see Lapland a little more “raw”. So Idivuoma lies in that western part of the Kiruna Municipality. That journey that winds through that dense forest and it’s remote!
Going to Idivuoma offers you more of an insider’s peek into Lapland, and its culture as well. In Idivuoma, fishing, hunting and reindeer herding aren’t simply historical attractions, or anything, or whatever, that those lifestyles are kept quite alive. If you actually dig those glimpses into actual daily routines then this makes a very, very satisfying excursion, right?
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5. Trip to the Three-Country Cairn (Treriksröset)
Feel like putting in that full day’s driving effort to get somewhere spectacular? That drive all the way out to Treriksröset might be that road trip for the books then. Treriksröset? It marks the spot where those borders from Sweden, Norway, as well as Finland, happen to meet. That makes it that international meeting area that’s quite distinctive, if you agree that’s a positive point, actually.
Be aware that it won’t be the highway drive that it is to, let’s say Abisko, however what it lacks in polish, actually, is totally repaid when it comes to vistas, and, getting there basically symbolizes finishing something unique and memorable! Prepare to possibly drive on quite challenging surfaces because you have to give respect when conditions could, arguably, worsen rapidly. Plan carefully.
Read our full review: Treriksröset Border Point Full Review and Details
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