Swedish Lapland: Kiruna to Narvik on the E10
The Icehotel, the clear skies of Abisko and the road across the mountains to a Norwegian fjord, under the midnight sun or the northern lights.
- Distance
- 192 km (120 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 39 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Sweden, Norway
- Updated
- July 11, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 192 km (120 mi) with 6 stops, from Icehotel to Narvik. About 2 h 39 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Sweden, Norway
Route description
Begin at Jukkasjärvi on the Torne river, where the Icehotel is rebuilt every winter and a permanent ice building can be visited all year. Kiruna, a mining town being moved piece by piece away from the spreading iron ore mine, is close by.
The E10 runs north-west along the railway and the long lake of Torneträsk to Abisko. The national park is famous for clear skies: walk to the canyon, take the chairlift up Nuolja to the Aurora Sky Station, or look for Lapporten, a U-shaped valley that frames the mountains.
Beyond Björkliden the road climbs to Riksgränsen on the Norwegian border, a ski resort where people ski into June. From there it drops steeply past lakes and old railway stations down to the Ofotfjord and Narvik, whose port ships Swedish iron ore.
The E10 is open all year, but winter driving in the dark requires proper tyres and caution in high winds on the border section. The midnight sun lasts from late May to mid-July; for northern lights come between September and March.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Icehotel
StaysJukkasjärvi, SwedenA hotel rebuilt from river ice every winter, with art suites kept at about −5 °C.
- 219 km
Kiruna
Sweden - 3100 km
Abisko
Sweden - 43 km
Abisko Canyon
NatureAbisko, SwedenA short gorge where the Abiskojåkka river cuts through layered rock before reaching Torneträsk. A walk of a few minutes from the national park centre, and the start of the Kungsleden trail.
- 535 km
Riksgränsen
Sweden - 636 km
Narvik
Norway
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Icehotel → Kiruna · 19 km · 0 h 16 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camp Alta (14 km); Camp Ripan (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Kiruna → Abisko Canyon · 102 km · 1 h 25 minOn the way: Abisko.Overnight nearby, for example: Björklidens Camping (7 km); Abisko turiststation (< 1 km).
- Day 3: Abisko Canyon → Narvik · 71 km · 0 h 59 minOn the way: Riksgränsen.Overnight nearby, for example: Hærsletta Camping (10 km); Bjerkvik Camping (13 km).
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July. Cold, short days in October–April. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Sweden: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg; Øresund Bridge toll. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- Norway: Electronic tolls by number plate. Automatic toll roads and toll rings; many routes include car ferries. Motorway limit for cars: 110 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Swedish Lapland: Kiruna to Narvik on the E10?
3-day road trip of about 192 km (120 mi) with 6 stops, from Icehotel to Narvik. About 2 h 39 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Swedish Lapland: Kiruna to Narvik on the E10?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 39 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Swedish Lapland: Kiruna to Narvik on the E10 start and end?
It starts in Icehotel and ends in Narvik.
Which countries does Swedish Lapland: Kiruna to Narvik on the E10 pass through?
Sweden and Norway.
Where can you camp along Swedish Lapland: Kiruna to Narvik on the E10?
OpenStreetMap lists 17 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camp Alta, Camp Ripan and Björklidens Camping.
When is the best time for Swedish Lapland: Kiruna to Narvik on the E10?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July. Cold, short days in October–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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