Sarek National Park - The jewel of Laponia

The national park Sarek is strikingly alpine for Sweden with magnificent mountain ranges and narrow valleys, glaciers and wild rapids. It is a splendid piece of unspoiled wilderness.

Photo: Peter Rosén

 
The park is almost 2,000 square kilometres of majestic untouched wilderness and its remoteness is matched only by the breathtaking beauty of its alpine peaks, valleys and fast-running mountain rivers. Hiking and trekking in Sarek National Park is no Sunday stroll; there are no marked trails, cabins or amenities and you must possess a thorough knowledge of this type of terrain and have with you all the equipment you need for your entire stay, usually at least one week.

The King’s Trail (Kungsleden) skirts the park to the east and you can hike from Kvikkjokk in the south along the Tarra Valley, or from Saltoluokta, which is a mountain station with a highly recommended restaurant.

Some of the other national parks in Laponia have more varied flora and fauna than Sarek and you are more likely to spot wildlife in them, but Sarek is in a class of its own when it comes to pristine alpine wilderness.

Many of Sarek’s mountains are a difficult to ascend, but Laddepakte, Naite, Nammath, Skarjatjakka, and Skierfe are fairly accessible and offer great views.