Stora Sjöfallet National Park

About Stora Sjöfallet

Stora Sjöfallet National Park is the third largest National Park in Sweden, measuring 1,278 km2 (~493 mi2). It is located in Jokkmokk and Gällivare municipalities, Norrbotten County, Sweden. It is part of the Laponian area, a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Flora and Fauna

The park was in part established to protect the flora in the area. Over half of the 400 known alpine species grow within it, including rare alpine flora such as Potentilla hyperarctica and Arenaria humifusa. Cloudberries, or “Lapland’s Gold”, proliferate in summer, from mid-July until the end of August.

Visitors may also see some of the 125 species of birds that have been identified here, including golden plover, whimbrel, meadowlark and wheatear, long-tailed jaeger, rough legged hawk and eagle. Rarer sights are the great grey owl, lesser white-fronted goose, or gerfalcon.

Activities

Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the area, with its varied terrain from virgin pine forests to scrubland. Snowmobile and walking trails run from the mountain centre at Stora Sjofallet and skiing is best between February and May. The area is also one of the best in the country for ice climbing, with climbs for all levels of experience. Fishing for char, salmon trout and grayling is available by permit, either in low-lying streams and lakes or up in the mountains. Kungsleden, Sweden’s most popular skiing and trekking route, runs through the northern part of the park, though in the southern part, there are no marked trails or shelters.