🇬🇧 Rihtonjira (6km) - Summer

21 ECHOES

Location: Abisko, Norrbotten, Sweden

Guided by Nature

Follow red trail markers to hike through forest and apline scrub, cross a waterfall and snowfields, and summit Mount Nuolja. This audio experience is 6 kilometres from the top to the bottom and is only available in the summer. Learn about the history and geology of the village, find out more about the scientific research taking place here in the arctic, and search for some of Abisko's beautiful flora and fauna. You can start this audio experience at the top of the mountain and then hike down whilst listening, or you can start at the bottom near the chairlift. If you are starting the experience at the summit, you could take the chairlift halfway up the mountain and continue to the summit on foot.

Start this trail

Follow red trail markers to hike through forest and apline scrub, cross a waterfall and snowfields, and summit Mount Nuolja. You can listen to this guide either climbing up from the start of the trail near the chairlift, or hiking down from the summit. Take a moment now to listen before you set off.

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You've reached the summit!

You've reached the summit of Nuolja! You are 1164 m above sea level and over a thousand kilometers from Stockholm. Take some time to have a look around you, what can you see? What can you hear?

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This is a human landscape

It is easy to think of this Arctic landscape as a wilderness, and that it is untouched by humans. But, this isn’t true. There may not be a busy city, but people have lived in these mountains for over 6,000 years. Image: Elisa Ferrari

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Search for Lapland Lousewort (Pedicularis lapponica)

This is a great area to look for a beautiful yellow and red flower. This plant’s strong rose scent attracts pollinators like bumblebees.

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Abisko National Park

You’re now standing at around 1,000 meters above sea level, and should have a good view over Abisko National Park. The national park is one of the oldest in Europe and was established in 1909.

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Lapporten

From here on a clear day, you should have a great view of one of Lapland’s most famous geological features; Lapporten.

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Abisko's geology

This is a landscape shaped by natural processes, carved slowly over millennia. Here, mica schist, slate, limestone, amphibolite and granite are the building blocks for our mountains, valleys and canyons.

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The Sky Station

In the summer, the Aurora Skystation run by STF is a great place to enjoy the view, and experience the midnight sun.

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Snowfields

Even in the middle of summer, large patches of snow persist on the mountains, particularly on the east-facing slopes. Snow is an essential part of this landscape and these areas are important for many species.

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The railway

If the weather is clear from here you should have a good view of the road and the railway through Abisko. Creating a route for the railway was a challenge, in this landscape dominated by mountains and lakes.

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11. Trolluis Eurpaeus

In June and July, this area is a great place to see one of the most famous plants found in Abisko National Park, the yellow globeflower, or Trollius europaeus. Trollius europaeus is also called the butterball. It's a beautiful yellow forb, meaning it's a tall flowering plant, and instead of the yellow flowers being outstretched, they form a ball. Here’s researcher Keith Larson from the Abisko Scientific Research Station, to tell you more about this plant. While you listen, see if you can find one.

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12. Bees

You might have noticed bumblebees buzzing around as you walk. Plenty will be enjoying the flowers in here, and some can even be seen foraging on flowers right at the summit of Nuolja on a sunny, windless day.

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13. Snow Buttercup

Can you see any small yellow flowers nearby? Snow buttercup, or glacier buttercup, or Ranunculus nivalis, is a high alpine plant that lives in the upper elevations of the mountains.

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14. Stop by the Waterfall

Whether you’re on your way up or down the mountain, the rocks by this waterfall crossing are a great place to stop, enjoy a drink or snack, look at the scenery and listen to the sounds of the mountain. As well as the rushing water, what else can you hear? Image: Elisa Ferrari

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15. Treeline

From here, you can see the tree line. This is the highest point where the habitat is suitable for the trees to grow. You can see from the two photos, taken in 1925 and in 2017, that the treeline has moved up the mountain. This is partly because of increased temperatures.

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16. Citizen Science

Abisko is famous for its diverse plant life, and here you have a great opportunity to botanize, or to look for interesting plants. Now, see what you can find. While you look, here’s researcher Keith Larson from the Abisko scientific research station, to chat about how easy it is for you to help scientists learn more about these species. Image: Elisa Ferrari

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17. Alpine Bearberry

Growing very low, you might spot patches of alpine bearberry, or Arctostaphylos alpinus. It has white or light pink flowers, or leathery leaves with a veiny texture that turn red in the autumn. The berries are also easy to spot, starting green before turning red and then black. Image: Christine Riel

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