Kiirunavaara

Kiirunavaara is a mountain in northern Kiruna Municipality that rises about 749 meters and holds one of the world's largest iron ore deposits. Intensive mining operations take place beneath this fell and have shaped the region for over a century.

Mining at Kiirunavaara started in the late 1800s and led to the founding of the city of Kiruna and industrial growth in the region. Since then, this site has remained the economic heart of the northern area.

The fell is deeply connected to mining work that shapes how local people live and organize their city today. The operations beneath the surface influence where residents build homes and how they experience daily life.

Visitors can join guided tours of the mining operations and walk hiking trails around the fell during the summer months. The best time to explore is when daylight is long and paths are most accessible.

Mining beneath Kiirunavaara has caused significant ground subsidence, making it necessary to gradually move the city of Kiruna away from the danger zone. This unprecedented urban relocation is among the largest in modern Scandinavia.

Location: Kiruna Municipality

Elevation above the sea: 749 m

GPS coordinates: 67.82694,20.18472

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:00