Facts
Sarek is a popular area for hikers and mountaineers. Beginners in these disciplines are advised to accompany a guide since there are no marked trails or accommodations and only two bridges aside from those in the vicinity of its borders. The area is among those that receives the heaviest rainfall in Sweden, making hiking dependent on weather conditions. It is also intersected by turbulent streams that are hazardous to cross without proper training.
"Sarek National Park is viewed by many Swedes as one of the most beautiful landscapes of their country. The enthusiasm for it was started by Axel Hamberg's book on the park, presenting Sarek as the joy of the Swedish Lapland."The Park
The most noted features of the national park are six of Sweden's thirteen peaks over 2,000 m (6,600 ft) located within the park's boundaries. The park has about 200 peaks over 1,800 m (5,900 ft). Due to the long trek, the mountains in the district are seldom climbed. There are approximately 100 glaciers in Sarek National Park.
Environmental
In 1996, Sarek Park was classed as a World Heritage Site including the adjoining areas of Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet, Sjaunja and Stubba nature reserves, Muddus National Park and three adjacent areas, making a total of 9,400 km2 (3,600 sq mi). The whole area was added to the World Heritage as a mixed site ("of cultural and natural value") called the Laponian area.
Wildlife
With regards to the flora and fauna, Sarek does not have a wide variety of species. This is mainly explained by the fact that most of the park, except the south and south-east part, is above the growth-limit of conifers, which is at an altitude of about 500 m (1,600 ft) in this region.
A total of approximately 380 species of vascular plants have been found in the park, as well as 182 species of vertebrates, 24 mammals, 142 birds, 2 reptiles, 2 amphibians and 12 fish.
Get here
Sarek is one of Sweden’s most inaccessible national parks for anyone who cannot hike or ski in on their own. There are no roads leading up to the national park.
The Kungsleden hiking trail passes through the eastern part of the park, from Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk. There are no cabins within the park, the Pårte, Aktse and Sitojaure cabins are just outside the park and they are accessible from both Saltoluokta and Kvikkjokk.
The Padjelanta Trail (Padjelantaleden), running from Kvikkjokk to Akkajaure, skirts the park along its western rim at Tarraluoppal, where the Tarraluoppal cabin is just on the border of the park.
Visitors can also visit the Laponia entrance in Huhttán/Kvikkjokk, which has information about the Sarek and Padjelanta/Badjelánnda national parks.
Sarek National Park is mainly a high-alpine area with almost no accommodation for tourists. Due to the lack of shelters combined with rapidly shifting weather and rough terrain, it is recommended that hikers are well prepared and experienced before setting out on the trails of the park.
Plan your trip
The park rules are relatively strict, to preserve the park in its near-pristine condition. Fishing, hunting, picking flowers and any other activity that could damage the wildlife are all forbidden, except for picking berries and edible mushrooms. Similarly, no motorised vehicles are allowed in the park.
What to bring
- Solid hiking equipment, including: hiking boots, tent and stove.
- Clothes for all types of weather.
- Other useful items: Mosquito repellent, binoculars, map and compass.
Weather
- Be prepared for harsh and changing weather all year round.
- An up to date weather prognosis can be found using this link
What to do
- Visit the old homestead "Aktse" (Kungsleden (the King’s Trail) passes by here).
- Visit one of the most interesting cultural legacies in the Laponia World Heritage Site: the old chapel and mining remains in Álggavárre.
- The view of Lájtávrre from Skierffe mountain has to be experienced.