Kiruna: Snowshoe hike above the treeline with local guide

Summary

Snowshoeing in Kiruna’s Arctic light—animal tracks, laughter, and silence

You’ll follow animal tracks through snowy forests outside Kiruna with a local guide leading your small group up above the treeline. Along the way, you’ll taste hot local berry juice, hear stories about life in Swedish Lapland, and watch Arctic light shift across the sky—a quiet kind of magic you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

“You see those tracks? Maybe a fox, maybe something luckier,” our guide Jonas said, squinting at the snow like he could read it. I tried to see what he saw—just some lines and dots to me, but he grinned and pointed out how the paw prints curved off into the trees. We’d barely started our snowshoe hike up from Kiruna and already I was realizing how much I missed by rushing through forests back home.

The air felt sharp in my nose—like breathing in cold metal—and every step made that soft crunch you only get with fresh snow. Our group was small (eight of us, tops), so nobody got lost in the shuffle. Jonas kept stopping to show us little things: a patch of lichen, the way the light changed from blue to pink as we climbed higher above the treeline. At one point, someone’s headlamp flickered on even though it wasn’t quite dark yet—Arctic winter does weird things to time.

At the top, we all just stood there for a minute without saying much. The sky was streaked with colors I don’t even know names for—someone tried to take a photo but honestly it didn’t come close. Jonas poured us hot berry juice from a thermos (tasted sweet and tart at once; steam fogged my glasses) and told us about his grandmother picking berries nearby in summer. I tried saying “kiitos” like he did—he laughed and said my accent was “creative.”

The walk down felt easier somehow, maybe because we’d all loosened up or maybe just because gravity finally helped out. My legs were tired but in that good way where you know you’ll sleep well later. I still think about that view sometimes when city lights feel too bright—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snowshoe hike to mountain viewpoint

• Snowshoe hike above treeline
• Stop to observe animal tracks and forest features
• Enjoy hot local berry juice at the top
• Take photos of the landscape and sunset

Top questions

How long is the snowshoe hike near Kiruna?

The hike lasts about 2.5 hours and covers roughly 3–3.5 km.

Is pickup included for this snowshoe tour?

Yes, pickup is included from three spots in Kiruna: Camp Ripan, Tourist Information, and Hotel Scandic.

What’s included in the snowshoe hike?

The tour includes snowshoes, a headlamp if needed, hot local berry juice, and guidance from a local expert.

What’s the minimum age for this activity?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

Do I need special clothing for this tour?

No extra clothing is provided; dress warmly according to weather conditions.

How big are the groups on this Kiruna snowshoe tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No lunch is included; however, you’ll get hot berry juice during the break at the top.

What’s included

Your experience includes pickup from central Kiruna locations, use of snowshoes and headlamps if needed, guidance from a local expert throughout your hike above the treeline, plus a warming cup of hot local berry juice shared at the summit before heading back down together.