Padjelanta National Park

Padjelanta covers almost two thousand square kilometres, which makes it the largest Swedish national park, and its character is different from the peaks around it: this is high open country rather than alpine, wide rolling fell at eight hundred to a thousand metres with the great lakes Virihaure and Vastenjaure in the middle of it. The name means the higher country in Lule Sami. Calcareous bedrock gives an unusually rich mountain flora. Reindeer herding continues throughout and Sami settlements at Staloluokta and elsewhere are inhabited in summer. The Padjelantaleden runs about a hundred and forty kilometres through with huts, and helicopters serve the route.

History

Its name comes from the Lule Sami Badjelánnda, the higher land. Its meadows and fish-filled lakes have drawn people since the Stone Age, as trapping pits show, panels of rock art attest long Sami settlement, and the Sami villages of Duorbun, Jåhkågasska and Sirges still bring their reindeer to graze here in summer from the settlements of Stáloluokta, Árasluokta and Sállohávrre. Scientists have long studied its plants, animals and geology; the park was established in 1963 and in 1996 became part of the Laponia World Heritage Site (Wikipedia, Padjelanta National Park).

The landscape

• Wide open fell - rolling rather than alpine.
• Virihaure and Vastenjaure - the great lakes at the centre.
• A rich flora on lime bedrock - unusual for the latitude.
• Sami summer settlements - Staloluokta and others.

When to go

July to September. Five to ten days for the trail.

What to expect

This is a multi-day walk-in - there is no road access. Huts are simple and need planning. Weather at altitude turns fast. Reindeer herding is active and areas are worked, not empty.

Nearby

Sarek and Stora Sjofallet are east; Norway is west.

Key facts