Northern Sweden (Norrland) Travel Guide

Established in 1909 as one of Sweden's first national parks, Abisko National Park spans 77 square kilometres in Swedish Lapland and boasts a rich cultural heritage of the indigenous Sami people, who have inhabited the region for thousands of years as reindeer herders. The park is renowned as one of Earth's premier locations for viewing the Northern Lights, with its unique positioning in the Atlantic rain shadow creating optimal viewing conditions. Visitors can explore the historic Kungsleden (King's Trail), enjoy the rare flora of Mount Njulla (including blunt-leaved orchids and Lapland rosebay), spot diverse wildlife such as wolverines, bears, and golden eagles, or visit the Abisko Sky Station for gourmet dining beneath the starlit sky. The park also houses the prestigious Abisko Scientific Research Station, where scientists worldwide conduct vital climate change research. Adventure seekers can partake in activities ranging from dog sledding and skiing to hiking and visiting the dramatic Abiskoeatnu Canyon, whilst history enthusiasts can discover ancient Sami pitfalls, huts, and hearths that dot the landscape.

Stora Sjöfallet National Park, Sweden's third-largest national park, is a majestic wilderness area north of the Arctic Circle that forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Laponian region. The park derives its name, meaning 'great waterfall' in Swedish, from five historic cascading waterfalls that once thundered into Lake Láŋas, though these were largely diminished by hydroelectric development shortly after the park's establishment in 1909. The landscape is dominated by the impressive Áhkká massif, known as the 'Queen of Lapland', which boasts thirteen peaks and ten glaciers that are unfortunately retreating by 10 metres annually due to global warming. The park serves as traditional grazing land for the Sami villages of Sirges and Unna Tjerusj, whilst its diverse terrain encompasses alpine mountains, glacial heaths, mountain birch slopes and primeval pine forests. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot rare birds such as the gyrfalcon and great grey owl, whilst the area boasts approximately 400 mountain flora species, including the celebrated 'gold of Lapland' - cloudberries.

Padjelanta, Sweden's largest national park, derives its name from the Lule Sami word 'Badjelánnda' meaning 'the higher land'. This spectacular 1,984 square kilometre expanse features rolling mountains, vast lakes, and some of Sweden's most luxuriant flowering meadows, boasting unique alpine flora that has attracted botanists since the 17th century. The park is traversed by the 160-kilometre Padjelanta trail, which offers relatively easy hiking with convenient mountain cabin accommodations. The area has one of the highest concentrations of ancient remains in the alpine world, with traces of settlements dating back to the Stone Age. Three Sami villages—Duorbun, Jåhkågasska and Sirges—continue their traditional reindeer herding practices in the park, using modern methods like helicopters whilst maintaining their cultural heritage. The park's rich wildlife includes wolverines, Arctic foxes, brown bears, and golden eagles, whilst its lakes teem with Arctic char and whitefish that local Sami often sell to visitors.

Established in 1909, Sarek National Park stands as one of Europe's oldest national parks and represents Sweden's most mountainous region, featuring six of the nation's thirteen highest peaks above 2,000 metres. This vast wilderness, spanning 1,970 square kilometres, harbours nearly 100 glaciers and offers a truly untamed experience with no marked trails or facilities. The park's dramatic landscape showcases the spectacular Rapa River delta, considered one of Europe's most remarkable views, whilst its rich wildlife includes brown bears, wolverines, golden eagles, and impressive moose with enormous antlers. The area holds profound cultural significance as the ancestral home of the Sami people, who have practised reindeer husbandry here for thousands of years through three distinct communities: the Sirges, Jåhkågaska Tjiellde, and Tuorpon.