Sarek national park
Sarek national park is a dramatic mountain area with deep valleys and high mountain peaks. Magnificent river deltas wind through the valleys, and the snow-covered mountains contain over 100 glaciers. Sarek is one of Sweden's most inaccessible national parks, with no marked trails or overnight cabins.
Experience Sarek
Sarek national park is one of Sweden’s oldest national parks and one of our largest high-alpine areas. Of Sweden’s 13 peaks over 2,000 meters, six are located in Sarek national park. The area is home to over 100 glaciers, and in the valleys, you can follow magnificent river deltas. The valleys are popular grazing grounds for moose and reindeer, while the steep cliffs are home to rough-legged buzzards and other large birds of prey. Here, you can experience dramatic nature in its wildest form.
The Skierfe cliff, a dramatic rock face rising nearly 700 meters from the valley, is the most famous destination in Sarek. It is located at the mouth of the Rapadalen valley and offers an incredible view of the winding delta landscape. The easiest way to reach the Skierfe cliff is via STF Aktse Mountain cabin.
Sarek is part of the Laponia world heritage site, along with the national parks Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet, and Muddus, as well as the nature reserves Sjávnja/Sjaunja and Stubbá/Stubba, and the areas Sulidälbmá, Tjuoldavuobme, and Ráhpaäno suorgudahka.
Hiking in Sarek
Sarek is known as one of Sweden’s most inaccessible national parks. There are no marked trails or overnight accommodations, which means you must have strong navigation skills using a map and compass and experience with extended camping trips. Additionally, hiking here involves many challenging river crossings that require caution. Trekking through Sarek is demanding but offers an incredibly thrilling experience in a truly unique mountain landscape.
To hike through Sarek, you should be used to carrying a heavy pack in unmarked terrain, as you will need to bring a tent, sleeping gear, and provisions for your entire stay. You can restock supplies at the mountain cabins in Ritsem and Aktse or at STF Saltoluokta Mountain Station, which are also potential start and end points outside the national park.
Reindeer herding is practiced in this area, thank you for showing consideration!
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Reindeer herding is practiced in this area, thank you for showing consideration!
Learn more about how to avoid disturbing the reindeer.
Accommodation in Sarek
There are no accommodations within Sarek national park, so you must carry your own tent and gear for overnight stays. However, Kungsleden runs just outside the park, offering several options for overnight stays in mountain cabins and stations. You can choose to make day trips into the national park and use the accommodations as a base or use them as start/end points for a camping tour.
There are many ways to plan a trip to Sarek, but the park’s valleys are the natural starting and ending points for most hikes.
Accommodations near Sarek
The following accommodations are excellent starting points for accessing Sarek. They can be used as a base for day trips or as the first/last overnight stay before a camping tour.
Different starting points for Sarek
From the north, STF Saltoluokta Mountain Station is one of the more popular starting points for visiting Sarek. From here, after 1-2 days of hiking or skiing, you can reach the well-known valleys of Pastavagge and Pielaslätten, also known as “the heart of Sarek.”
Another popular starting point for a Sarek adventure from the north is Suorva. There is a bus stop here, and you can cross Akkajaure on foot, eventually reaching the central parts of Sarek after a hike of similar length to that from Saltoluokta.
Another option for starting your tour from the north is to set out from STF Ritsem. You can either drive your own car and park near the accommodation or take a bus to get there.
The first step toward Sarek after arriving at Ritsem is a boat ride across lake Akkajaure, which drops you off near the STF Akka Mountain Cabin. From there, it’s a 1-2 day hike to reach Sarek.
A tip is to book a night at Ritsem and enjoy the stunning view over lake Akkajaure and the Akka Massif, which has Sweden’s greatest elevation drop
From the east, STF Aktse Mountain Cabin is the best starting point. This cabin is the closest to the national park boundary and also nearest to some of the most famous spots, Skierfe cliff and the Rapadalen valley.
From the south, STF Kvikkjokk Mountain Station is the obvious choice. Here, you begin your journey toward Sarek by following the Kungsleden north to STF Pårte Mountain Cabin and finally to STF Aktse Mountain Cabin. The last stretch requires a boat ride across the lake.
Sarek in winter
arek is incredibly beautiful in the winter. The area resembles a labyrinth of narrow, wide, and deep valleys surrounded by steep mountain massifs with glaciers. However, venturing into Sarek is not entirely without risk even in the summer, so visiting in winter comes with even greater challenges. It adds extra difficulties such as cold, snow, and darkness. Being in Sarek requires thorough preparation, the right equipment, and substantial experience with winter camping.
You must also be prepared for rapid weather changes and shorter days. When planning a winter trip in Sarek, be sure to allocate days for potential storms. A sled is necessary to carry all your gear, including provisions for your entire stay.
There are no accommodations or marked trails in Sarek, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency does not issue avalanche forecasts for the area, adding further demands on those who ski here.
For those brave enough to venture into Sarek in winter, a sense of total solitude and freedom awaits. On crisp winter nights, there is also a high chance of witnessing the northern lights.
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