Dundret

Dundret rises to 823 metres directly above Gallivare, well north of the Arctic Circle, and from the top the sun does not set for about a month either side of midsummer - roughly early June to mid July - which is the reason a road runs up and a hotel sits near the summit. The view covers the town, the Aitik copper mine, forest and the mountains west towards Laponia. It is also a nature reserve with fell vegetation above the treeline and old forest below. In winter it works as a ski area with lit tracks and downhill slopes, and the aurora is regularly visible from the top in the dark months.

Background

In Lule Sami the fell is called Váhtjerduottar and in Meänkieli Vasaratunturi. It is an inselberg lying to the east of the Scandinavian Mountains' main chain. The name derives from the Finnish tunturi, fell, itself taken from the Sami tuoddar, low fell, and the Swedish sense, the thunder, is not the original meaning. The ski resort has nine pistes, a ski jump and cross-country trails. Its season usually runs from the beginning of November to late April, so many national teams open their training here. A downhill World Cup race took place in 1983. On clear days the western peak looks out over one eleventh of Sweden. The whole fell has been protected since 1970.

Source: Wikipedia, "Dundret"

What you'll find

• Midnight sun for about a month - from early June.
• A road to near the summit - at 823 metres.
• A long view west - forest, mine and the Laponia mountains.
• A ski area in winter - with aurora from the top.

When to go

June to July for the midnight sun; winter for skiing and aurora. Half a day.

Before you go

Cloud ruins the midnight sun on many nights. The summit is exposed and cold even in July. Mosquitoes are heavy lower down. Facilities are those of a small ski resort.

Nearby

Gallivare is below; Muddus and Laponia are west.

Key facts