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Travel Guide to Swedish National Parks
 Sarek National Park.
Introduction to Swedish National Parks
Sweden's national parks offer a stunning showcase of the country's diverse and pristine natural landscapes. Established to preserve Sweden's natural heritage for future generations, these parks span from the alpine peaks of the north to the deciduous forests of the south, encompassing a wide range of ecosystems.
Sweden established its first national park in 1909, making it the first European country to do so. As of 2023, there are 30 national parks across the country, each carefully selected to represent different types of landscapes characteristic of Sweden.
Key Features of Swedish National Parks:
- Protection of biodiversity and unique ecosystems
- Preservation of cultural heritage sites within park boundaries
- Provision of recreational opportunities for visitors
- Promotion of environmental education and research
The parks are managed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), which works to balance conservation with public access. Visitors to Swedish national parks can enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and in some cases, fishing or hunting under strict regulations.
Each park has its own set of rules and guidelines to ensure the protection of its natural environment. Visitors are encouraged to follow the principle of 'Leave No Trace' to help preserve these natural wonders for future generations.
From the vast wilderness of Sarek to the unique limestone formations of Gotland's Gotska Sandön, Swedish national parks offer a chance to experience some of Europe's most unspoiled natural environments.
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Far North
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Padjelanta National Park ※ |
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 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. |
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Pieljekaise National Park |
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 Pieljekaise National Park, established in 1909, is one of Sweden's oldest national parks, located in the Arjeplog mountains of Norrbotten County. Named after its highest peak, Pieljekaise (1,138 metres), the park spans 15,340 hectares of pristine wilderness characterised by low mountain terrain, small lakes, extensive mountain birch forests, and diverse flora. Part of the Semisjaur-Njarg sameby, the park is significant for Sami reindeer herding and hosts various wildlife, including moose, brown bears, and numerous bird species. The famous Kungsleden hiking trail traverses the park, offering visitors opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife observation. With its untouched mountain birch forests and low alpine landscapes, Pieljekaise National Park provides a unique glimpse into Sweden's natural mountain ecosystems. |
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Stora Sjöfallet National Park ※ |
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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. |
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Sarek National Park ※ |
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 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. |
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Vadvetjåkka National Park |
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Vadvetjåkka National Park, established in 1920, is Sweden's northernmost national park, located in Kiruna Municipality, Norrbotten County. Covering an area of 2,630 hectares, it's situated between Torneträsk lake and the Norwegian border. The park is named after its highest point, Mount Vadvetjåkka, which rises to 1,240 metres above sea level. Vadvetjåkka is known for its unique combination of alpine and arctic environments, featuring limestone bedrock that contributes to rich flora, including rare orchids and other calcareous plants. The park's landscape is characterised by steep mountain slopes, deep ravines, and numerous caves formed by water erosion of the limestone. Despite its remote location and challenging terrain, Vadvetjåkka offers opportunities for experienced hikers to explore its pristine wilderness, observe diverse plant life, and potentially spot wildlife such as Arctic foxes and golden eagles. |
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Abisko National Park |
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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. |
Central Sweden
| Fulufjället National Park |
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Fulufjället National Park, established in 2002, is a remarkable natural wonder straddling the Swedish-Norwegian border in Dalarna, Central Sweden. The park boasts Sweden's highest waterfall, Njupeskär, with a dramatic 93-metre drop, and is home to Old Tjikko, the world's oldest known individual clonal tree. The vast 385-square-kilometre park features an extensive network of 140 kilometres of hiking trails, where visitors can explore primeval forests, encounter diverse wildlife including brown bears and gyrfalcons, and traverse landscapes covered in unique flora such as the historically significant 'wolf death moss', which was traditionally used by locals as wolf bait. The park's Naturum visitor centre offers Swedish delicacies, including local specialities such as reindeer meatballs, and serves as a gateway to various activities including hiking, fishing, and in winter, ice climbing and snowmobile tours. |
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Skuleskogen National Park |
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Skuleskogen National Park, established in 1984 as Sweden's 19th national park, stands as a remarkable testament to natural geography where mountains dramatically meet the sea. The park features some of the Gulf of Bothnia's deepest waters and highest islands, characterised by beautiful red Nordingrå Granite and an uplifted coastline that showcases Sweden's emergence from the sea. One of its most striking features is the Slåttdalsskrevan, a 40-metre-high mountain crevice that recently received a new hiking trail allowing visitors to experience it from both above and below. The park harbours one of the coastland's few remaining old-growth forests and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed High Coast, which boasts the world's highest coastline at 286 metres above sea level and continues to rise by approximately 8 millimetres yearly. Visitors can explore the park through three different entrances, each leading to various hiking trails that wind through verdant spruce forests, beautiful lakes, and offer grandiose views of both forest and sea. |
| Tyresta National Park |
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Located just 20 kilometres from Stockholm, Tyresta National Park boasts one of Sweden's largest untouched ancient forests outside the alpine region. The park, established in 1993, spans 20 square kilometres and features eight pristine lakes, making it a remarkable wilderness retreat near the capital. Visitors can explore 55 kilometres of well-marked trails whilst encountering diverse wildlife, including roe deer, foxes, beavers, and over 112 species of breeding birds. The area has been inhabited since the Iron Age, and today features perfectly preserved 18th-century buildings in Tyresta village. A fascinating aspect of the park's history is that 10% of its area was mysteriously burned in August 1999, creating a unique landscape that has become part of the park's character. The park's Naturum Visitor Centre serves as an excellent starting point for adventures, offering maps and insights into the park's rich ecology. |
Southern Sweden
| Söderåsen National Park |
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Established in 2001, Söderåsen National Park is one of Northern Europe's largest unbroken areas of protected woodland, spanning 16 square kilometres in the Skåne region of Sweden. The park's dramatic landscape, formed 70-80 million years ago, features breathtaking beech forests, streaming watercourses, and impressive cliffs, with notable viewpoints at Kopparhatten, Hjortsprånget and Lierna along the Skäralidsdalen valley. Visitors can explore well-marked trails, spot rare species of mushrooms and bats, or paddle through the Rönne å river's calm streams and rapids. The almost circular Lake Odensjön, surrounded by 30-metre-high cliffs, serves as one of the park's most remarkable attractions. The area holds historical significance as well, as it was near here at Herrevadskloster that the renowned astronomer Tycho Brahe discovered the star Stella Nova in Cassiopeia's constellation in 1572. The park's Naturum Visitor Centre in Skäralid offers fascinating insights into the area's geology, flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. |
| Stenshuvud National Park |
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Stenshuvud National Park, established in 1986, is a stunning 400-hectare natural haven on Sweden's southeastern coast, featuring a distinctive 97-metre quartzite hill that resembles a giant's head emerging from the Baltic Sea. The park boasts remarkable biodiversity with 600 different plant species, including rare specimens like hart's-tongue fern and European wild ginger, spread across its mosaic landscape of sandy beaches, deciduous forests, wetlands, and heathlands. Ancient history permeates the grounds, with Stone Age graves and Iron Age castle walls telling tales of early settlements, whilst today visitors can explore well-marked trails, including the popular red trail to the summit, which offers breathtaking panoramic views stretching as far as the Danish island of Bornholm on clear days. The park's exotic white sandy beach, often compared to tropical paradises, provides a striking contrast to the lush hornbeam forests and ancient oak trees that dominate the landscape. |
| Gotska Sandön National Park |
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Gotska Sandön, Sweden's most isolated Baltic island and national park since 1909, is a pristine 36-square-kilometre paradise situated 38 km north of Fårö. This uninhabited sandy isle features spectacular dunes, with its highest point, Höga Åsen, rising 42 metres above sea level. The landscape is dominated by ancient pine forests, where some trees are nearly 500 years old, and pristine beaches that encircle the island. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot grey seals basking on the shores, whilst the island hosts numerous rare insects and unique flora, including special orchid species and the uncommon Kashubian vetch. The park's crown jewel, Fyrbyn and the historic Kyrkudden Lighthouse, stands sentinel on the northwestern tip, alongside the Gotska Sandön Chapel. Visitors can explore the 15-kilometre Höga Åsen hiking trail, which winds through the island's most dramatic landscapes. Access to this secluded gem is primarily by boat from Fårösund or Nynäshamn, adding to its mystique as one of Sweden's most unspoilt natural sanctuaries. |
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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.
Pieljekaise National Park, established in 1909, is one of Sweden's oldest national parks, located in the Arjeplog mountains of Norrbotten County. Named after its highest peak, Pieljekaise (1,138 metres), the park spans 15,340 hectares of pristine wilderness characterised by low mountain terrain, small lakes, extensive mountain birch forests, and diverse flora. Part of the Semisjaur-Njarg sameby, the park is significant for Sami reindeer herding and hosts various wildlife, including moose, brown bears, and numerous bird species. The famous Kungsleden hiking trail traverses the park, offering visitors opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife observation. With its untouched mountain birch forests and low alpine landscapes, Pieljekaise National Park provides a unique glimpse into Sweden's natural mountain ecosystems.
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.
: Local interest
: Moderately interesting
: Outstanding place
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