Abisko Off-Trail Expedition

Seven Days through the Pathless Fells of Swedish Lapland

Experience the wild side of Swedish Lapland: a genuine Wild Hikes Finland adventure.

Max group: 8 persons | Minimum age: 18

Overview

Leave the established trails behind and join us on a demanding seven-day wilderness expedition through the remote mountain landscapes surrounding Abisko.

Instead of following the popular Kungsleden trail, we travel mainly through pathless terrain, crossing open fells, rocky mountain slopes and isolated Arctic valleys. We carry everything we need, establish our camps in the wilderness and continuously adapt our route to the conditions around us.

The expedition starts and ends at Abisko Turiststation railway station, making it a true circular journey into the wild.

This is a genuine Wild Hikes Finland experience, designed for experienced hikers seeking solitude, challenge and the powerful feeling of travelling deep in the Scandinavian mountains.

Tour Facts

• Duration: 7 days (Saturday–Friday)

• Group size: Up to 8 participants

• Season: August

• Starting and finishing point: Abisko Turiststation railway station

• Accommodation: Wilderness camping

• Languages: English (other languages on request)

• Minimum age: 18 years

• Fitness level: Highly demanding – suitable for experienced and physically fit adult hikers

• Planned distance: Approximately 115 km

• Planned ascent: Approximately 3,750 m

Tour Highlights

• Beyond the Established Trails: Travel mainly outside marked trails and popular hiking routes.

• Remote Nordic Wilderness: Experience quiet valleys and open fells far from crowds and everyday life.

• A True Mountain Challenge: Cross demanding rocky terrain, high mountain areas and long pathless sections.

• Six Wilderness Camps: Spend every night surrounded by the landscapes of Swedish Lapland.

• A Circular Expedition: Begin and finish your journey at Abisko Turiststation.

• Small Guided Group: Travel with a maximum of eight participants and an experienced wilderness guide.

• A Living Itinerary: Experience a genuine expedition shaped by the mountains, weather and condition of the group.

• Sustainable by Nature: Travel with respect for the fragile Arctic environment and follow Leave No Traceprinciples throughout.

Planned Itinerary

The following itinerary describes our intended route. This is a genuine wilderness expedition, and daily distances, campsites and the route itself may change according to weather, water levels, terrain conditions, visibility and the wellbeing of the group.

Day 1 – Into the Mountains towards Lapporten

Approx. 10–11 km | Ascent: approx. 550 m

We meet at Abisko Turiststation railway station, distribute the expedition equipment and make our final preparations together.

We then begin our journey towards Lapporten, one of Swedish Lapland’s most recognisable mountain landscapes. The route gradually takes us away from Abisko and higher into the fells. At the end of the day, we establish our first wilderness camp surrounded by the mountains.

Day 2 – South towards Rautasjaure

Approx. 15–16 km | Ascent: approx. 350 m

We continue south towards Lake Rautasjaure before turning west and following the valley deeper into the mountains.

The day takes us farther from the established trails and into the open, pathless landscape that defines this expedition. We finish the day by establishing our next wilderness camp in the valley.

Day 3 – West through Alisvággi

Approx. 20 km | Ascent: approx. 350 m

Today we continue west through the remote Alisvággi valley.

This is a long and demanding day across varied terrain, combining completely unmarked sections with an old marked trail that has partly become overgrown and difficult to follow. After approximately 20 kilometres in this rugged landscape, we establish our wilderness camp in the valley.

Day 4 – From Alisjaure towards Unna Allakas

Approx. 18 km | Ascent: approx. 800 m

We briefly join the Kungsleden trail and follow it towards Alisjaure. From there, we leave the main route behind and begin a sustained climb towards the remote Unna Allakas area.

After approximately 18 kilometres and 800 metres of ascent, we establish our wilderness camp near Snarapoaivi, surrounded by an open and rugged mountain landscape.

Day 5 – Across the High Fells towards Hoiganvággi

Approx. 18 km | Ascent: approx. 1,000 m

We cross a magnificent high-fell landscape on our way towards Hoiganvággi.

This is one of the expedition’s most demanding days, with extensive rocky terrain, approximately 1,000 metres of ascent and a powerful sense of being deep in the Scandinavian mountains. We finish the day by descending towards the valley and establishing our wilderness camp.

Day 6 – Towards Lake Gorsajávri

Approx. 20 km | Ascent: approx. 700 m

We continue through remote mountain terrain towards Lake Gorsajávri.

Another substantial day takes us approximately 20 kilometres across the fells, with around 700 metres of ascent along the way. We establish our final wilderness camp on the southern side of the lake.

Day 7 – Return to Abisko

Approx. 12 km | Mainly descent

On our final day, we follow the slopes of Njunes and descend towards Abisko.

After approximately 12 kilometres, we return to Abisko Turiststation railway station, where our expedition ends.

Included in the Tour Price (€1,250 per person, VAT included)

• Guiding: Professional wilderness guiding and round-the-clock support throughout the expedition.

• Safety Equipment: The guide’s navigation, communication and expedition safety equipment.

• Group Gear: Tents, stoves, cooking equipment and other necessary shared expedition gear.

• Sleeping Bag: A suitable sleeping bag for the expedition.

• Meals: Breakfast, trail lunch and dinner during the trek.

• Planning and Logistics: Route planning, group organisation and expedition preparations.

Participants bring their own snacks, energy bars and other personal trail treats.

Not Included

• Travel to and from Abisko.

• Accommodation before or after the expedition.

• Personal clothing, footwear and other items listed in the packing list.

• Snacks, energy bars, personal trail treats and personal drinks.

• Purchases or services at mountain huts.

• Possible hut or indoor accommodation fees during the expedition.

• Personal travel and accident insurance.

Difficulty

• Solitude: ★★★★★ Remote valleys, pathless fells and very few other hikers outside the main routes.

• Challenge: ★★★★★ Long days, substantial ascents, a loaded backpack and highly demanding off-trail terrain.

This is a highly demanding wilderness expedition.

During the week, we plan to cover approximately 115 kilometres and climb around 3,750 vertical metres. Several days are between 18 and 20 kilometres long. The terrain includes pathless ground, loose rock, steep slopes, overgrown trails and potentially wet, slippery or uneven sections.

Every participant carries a backpack containing their personal equipment, food and a share of the group equipment. The weight of the backpack and the difficult terrain make the expedition considerably more demanding than the distances alone might suggest.

Participants must have:

• Good physical fitness and endurance

• Previous experience of multi-day hiking

• Experience carrying a loaded backpack

• Suitable clothing and footwear for changing Arctic conditions

• The ability to remain positive and work as part of a group during long and difficult days

A detailed packing list and preparation guidance will be provided before the expedition.

A Flexible Wilderness Itinerary

The published itinerary is a planned route, not a fixed schedule.

Weather, water levels, terrain, visibility, the condition of the group and other circumstances may require the guide to change the route, daily distances, campsites or overall plan during the expedition.

The route is continuously assessed and adjusted when necessary. All decisions are made with the safety and wellbeing of the group as the highest priority.

Participants must be prepared for changes and understand that flexibility is an essential part of a genuine wilderness expedition.

Departure Dates

Departure dates and availability are listed in the booking calendar. The schedule is updated seasonally based on conditions and demand.

Departures are planned to offer a good balance of daylight, seasonal conditions and quiet mountain landscapes. Private group departures may also be available upon request.

Sustainability Commitment

All Wild Hikes Finland expeditions are guided by Leave No Trace principles and respect for the fragile Arctic environment.

Routes, campsites and meals are planned to minimise environmental impact while preserving an authentic wilderness experience. A small group allows us to travel responsibly, respond effectively to changing conditions and maintain the sense of solitude at the heart of the expedition.

We treat the land, wildlife and local communities with respect throughout the journey.

Practical Information

This is a wilderness camping expedition, and we do not normally plan to stay in mountain huts.

We may occasionally visit a hut to use its shop or other available services. Shops are limited, and not every hut along or near the route has one. Participants should bring a payment card and some money for personal purchases. Cards usually work at staffed huts, but payment availability cannot be guaranteed in every situation.

Weather, safety considerations or other unexpected circumstances may sometimes make it necessary to camp near a hut or stay indoors. Personal purchases and possible hut or accommodation fees are not included in the tour price and must be paid by the participant.

Getting There

The expedition starts and ends at Abisko Turiststation railway station, which is easy to reach by train.

The departure is planned around the scheduled train arriving at approximately midday. We wait for this arrival before meeting the group, distributing the expedition equipment and making our final preparations.

Participants are welcome to arrive in Abisko earlier and arrange their own accommodation before the expedition.

Detailed meeting times and up-to-date travel information will be provided before departure. For help with travel planning, please feel free to contact us.

Are You Ready to Leave the Trail Behind?

Abisko Off-Trail Expedition is not simply a route from one place to another. It is a demanding journey into an open mountain landscape where weather, terrain and the group determine the rhythm of each day.

If you are an experienced hiker looking for a serious wilderness challenge beyond the established routes, this may be the expedition for you.

For questions about your experience, fitness or suitability for the expedition, please contact us before booking.