Abiskojaure (Sweden)

Seeing that vast spread of absolutely calm water reflecting the snowy mountains and thick forest around it made arriving atLake Abiskojaure feel a bit like arriving at the end of the world. The most impressive thing is the complete absence of noise pollution. Not a sound, except the rustling of the wind in the trees and the birds singing. It was quite simply a dream. I could have stayed there for weeks, cut off from the real world and in the heart of nature.

Part of the Kungsleden trekking trail (or the Royal Path), which covers more than 400 km across Swedish Lapland, also passes by the lake. So in summary, Lake Abiskojaure is somewhere that is completely off the beaten path, and which definitely merits a visit by anyone who wants to get away from the chaos of urban life.

I am in Abisko National Park, Swedish Lapland, for a few days and my programme consists of hiking and more hiking! At the same time, in summer there is not much else to do around here and it is ideal as the daylight is permanent, so you do not have to worry about night falling and having to race back to the hotel before the sun sets.

So, I set off for Abiskojaure Lake, one of the park's biggest lakes . The road is not difficult: even if it is long, it is practically flat all the time! Impossible to get lost too, as the path follows the famous "King's Trail" ( Kungsleden ), a 279 ml hiking trail that starts at Abisko, winding its way down south along the Norwegian border and is very well signposted.

On the way, I encounter quite a few reindeer herds, grazing peacefully, some birds and also lots of small colourful field mice whose exact scientific name I am, of course, at a loss for and which the park is crawling with by the hundreds. Quite a lot of small lakes and rivers, nature is raging, although it is nearly the end of June, winter lasted very long this year and the snow is still melting away, which explains the severity of the torrents and rivers.

Finally I reach the lake where I enjoy a well-deserved break... Before turning around and going back to the village the way I came.

I am in Abisko National Park, Swedish Lapland, for a few days and my programme consists of hiking and more hiking! At the same time, in summer there is not much else to do around here and it is ideal as the daylight is permanent, so you do not have to worry about night falling and having to race back to the hotel before the sun sets.

So, I set off for Abiskojaure Lake, one of the park's biggest lakes . The road is not difficult: even if it is long, it is practically flat all the time! Impossible to get lost too, as the path follows the famous "King's Trail" ( Kungsleden ), a 279 ml hiking trail that starts at Abisko, winding its way down south along the Norwegian border and is very well signposted.

On the way, I encounter quite a few reindeer herds, grazing peacefully, some birds and also lots of small colourful field mice whose exact scientific name I am, of course, at a loss for and which the park is crawling with by the hundreds. Quite a lot of small lakes and rivers, nature is raging, although it is nearly the end of June, winter lasted very long this year and the snow is still melting away, which explains the severity of the torrents and rivers.

Finally I reach the lake where I enjoy a well-deserved break... Before turning around and going back to the village the way I came.