close-up of the rocky beach at Torneträsk with sparkling water in the background

Nature & Environment

Swimming spots in Björkliden.

Björkliden is full of great swimming spots. The water can be a bit on the cool side, but if you're brave enough, a swim here is wonderful and refreshing!

Mountain stream water is also very good to drink. It’s fascinating to think that much of the water we see here in the summer arrived during the winter as snow that has since melted.

Just keep in mind that early in the summer, water levels can be high due to meltwater, so you should avoid swimming in fast-flowing waters! Did you know that common suffixes for lake names in Norrbotten include –jaure, –järvi, –lompolo, –luoppal, and –saivo, where jaure and saivo, among others, come from the Sami language and mean “lake” and “sacred pond,” respectively? And “-jokk,” as you may have guessed, means a river or stream.

Map showing swimming areas marked on an illustrated map of Björkliden

Swimming Spots

The swimming lake on a sunny summer day, with distant snow-capped peaks in the background
Suitable for children

20. The swimming lake—the warmest option

Read more
close-up of the rocky beach at Torneträsk with sparkling water in the background

21. Torneträsk – the world’s best ”throw-a-sandwich” beach

Read more
Rákkasjohka Pond on a cloudy summer day

22. Rákkasjohka Pond – the pool between the waterfalls

Read more
Rákkasjohka Beach, seen from above on a sunny summer day

23. Rákkasjohka Beach – the oasis by the road

Read more
Crater Lake photographed along the shoreline

24. Kratersjön – Swimming and a Walk

Read more
the swimming lake high up in the mountains, with dramatic rain clouds in the distance The swimming lake is marked on an illustrated map of Björkliden

Suitable for children

20. The swimming lake—the warmest option

This mountain lake gets its name because it’s small and warms up quickly in the summer. It’s also conveniently located near the hotel, just a short walk of about 1 km up to the lake in the mountains. The swimming lake is shallow with a rocky bottom. If you swim right behind the little house, the shore is shallow and the water warms up quickly—well, warm compared to the other lakes in the area, at least!

Three friends run into Lake Torneträsk one summer day Torneträask Beach, viewed from above Torneträsk marked on an illustrated map of Björkliden

21. Torneträsk – the world’s best ”throw-a-sandwich” beach

Did you know that Torneträsk has a surface area of 330 km² and a depth of 168 m, making it Sweden’s second-deepest lake after Hornavan, which is 221 m deep?.

The world's best spot for a picnic, right next to Abisko National Park!

The best place to swim in Torneträsk is at the beach by Silverfallet. The beach is full of perfect stones for skipping. You’d almost think all the stones had been placed there for that very purpose. It’s the movement of the water that has shaped all these flat stones. The water depth changes throughout the season as meltwater flows in, and it often gets deep—a couple of meters out—very quickly. The beach is generally suitable for families and children, but because it can get deep so quickly, children should always swim under adult supervision.

Important: On windy days, the waves can be high, so swimming should be avoided.

Rákkasjohka Pond on a cloudy summer day Rákkasjohka Pond marked on an illustrated map of Björkliden

22. Rákkasjohka Pond – the pool between the waterfalls

A bath with a sense of adventure.

One of Björkliden's hidden gems can be found near the hotel. It's a small pond on the south side of Rákkasjohka.

From the hotel, walk along the stream downstream until you reach the second bridge further down. The pond lies right between two waterfalls. Cross the bridge to the south side and turn immediately upstream toward the waterfall. Right at the base of the waterfall, there’s a small pool deep enough to take a dip, but with a dam that keeps the current from getting too strong.

Early in the summer, however, water levels can be high due to snowmelt, so you should limit yourself to just dipping your feet in the water.

Rákkasjohka Beach, seen from above on a sunny summer day Rákkasjohka Beach marked on an illustrated map of Björkliden

23. Rákkasjohka Beach – the oasis by the road

A small, rocky island in the middle of Rákkasjohka, a short distance downstream from the pond that usually becomes visible later in the summer when the water level has dropped.

This is a great spot to sit and soak up the sun, enjoy the sound of the water lapping, take a quick dip, and maybe toss a sandwich into the water.

You’ll find your way here if you follow the path along the stream downstream almost all the way until you reach the railroad tracks. About 100 meters before you turn onto the paved road with a house on the other side, the stream bends, and this is where the island comes into view later in the summer.

Rákkasjohka begins on the Rákkasláhku mountain plateau and stretches 7 km down to Torneträsk. Along the way, there are several magnificent waterfalls, including the famous Silverfallet at the end.

Crater Lake photographed along the shoreline Lake Kratersjön and people in the distance by the windbreak on an overcast day The crater lake marked on an illustrated map of Björkliden

24. Kratersjön – Swimming and a Walk

For those who want to warm up a bit before swimming, a trip to Kratersjön might be just the thing. After a hike of about 2.5 km, you’ll reach Kratersjön, where a refreshing dip and a little snack might be exactly what you’re looking for.

There's also a small shelter right on the beach where you can change clothes and take a coffee break.

If you'd like to extend the hike into a loop, you can head down to the Rallar Cemetery and follow the Rallar Trail back to Björkliden.