National parks in the Swedish mountains
Ten Swedish national parks lie in or near the mountain range. They range from Padjelanta, almost two thousand square kilometres of open high fells, to Vadvetjåkka, a roadless corner north of Lake Torneträsk. This page compares all ten, explains where the official figures disagree and summarises the rules on camping, fishing and dogs that differ from park to park.
All ten parks side by side
The figures come from the fact boxes on the official national parks portal run by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Sweden has no official category for mountain national parks, so the selection is based on the descriptions of the parks themselves.
| Park | County | Area | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padjelanta/Badjelánnda | Norrbotten | 198 400 ha | 1962 |
| Sarek | Norrbotten | 197 000 ha | 24 May 1909 |
| Stora Sjöfallet/Stuor Muorkke | Norrbotten | 127 800 ha | 24 May 1909 |
| Muddus/Muttos | Norrbotten | 49 340 ha | 1942 |
| Fulufjället | Dalarna | 38 483 ha | 1 August 2002 |
| Pieljekaise | Norrbotten | 15 340 ha | 24 May 1909 |
| Sonfjället | Jämtland | 10 440 ha | 24 May 1909, extended 1988 |
| Abisko | Norrbotten | 7 700 ha | 24 May 1909 |
| Vadvetjåkka | Norrbotten | 2 630 ha | 1 March 1920 |
| Töfsingdalen | Dalarna | About 1 600 ha | 29 March 1930 |
Töfsingdalen is listed as 1 615 hectares by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and 1 590 hectares by the Dalarna county administrative board. The Swedish fact page on the parks portal gives 11 590 hectares, of which 1 588 hectares land, which is almost certainly a typo.
The northern parks
Four of the northern parks, Sarek, Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet and Muddus, belong to the Laponia World Heritage Site. Together they form one of the largest continuous protected areas in Europe.
In Laponia the parks have both Swedish and Sami names. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has decided that the Swedish name comes first for the national parks themselves.
Sarek
No marked trails, no huts and few bridges. Sarektjåkkå Stortoppen reaches 2 089 metres.
Padjelanta
Open high fells crossed by the Padjelanta trail. The huts are run by the Sami villages.
Stora Sjöfallet
Divided by hydropower development. The Áhkká massif rises to 2 011 metres.
Abisko
Railway to the door and the northern end of Kungsleden. Camping only at designated sites.
Muddus is forest and mire rather than mountain, but it is still part of Laponia. Pieljekaise near Arjeplog has Kungsleden running through it. Vadvetjåkka is the northernmost park in Sweden and has no trail, no hut and no bridge inside its borders.
The southern parks
Fulufjället in Dalarna is the youngest mountain park, founded in 2002. Njupeskär is 93 metres high with a free fall of 70 metres, and the spruce known as Old Tjikko has a root system the parks portal dates to 9 550 years.
Sonfjället in Härjedalen is known as bear country and was one of the five parks founded on 24 May 1909. Töfsingdalen north of Idre is a roadless boulder field with ancient pine forest and almost no trails.
Rules that differ between parks
The right of public access applies in national parks but is limited by each park’s own regulations. A rule in one park says nothing about the next.
| Rule | Park | Source |
|---|---|---|
| No fishing | Abisko, Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet, Muddus | Park regulations, including NFS 2013:10 |
| Fishing with a licence near the trail | Padjelanta | NFS 2013:10 |
| Fishing in zone III with a licence | Fulufjället | NFS 2002:21 |
| Dog on a leash 1 January to 30 April, otherwise banned with a few exceptions | Padjelanta, Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet, Muddus | NFS 2013:10 |
| Dog on a leash all year on Kungsleden | Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet, Pieljekaise | NFS 2013:10 and park information |
| Camping only at designated sites | Abisko | Park regulations |
| No camping or fires within 600 m of certain waters | Töfsingdalen | NFS 2014:11 |
| No flying below 2 000 feet, drones included | Fulufjället | NFS 2002:21 |
Full regulations are published by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, for example NFS 2013:10 for the four Laponia parks. Reindeer herding takes place in every mountain park, so keep your distance from reindeer everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks are there in the Swedish mountains?
Ten of Sweden’s 31 national parks lie in or near the mountain range. Seven of them are in Norrbotten.
Which is the largest national park in Sweden?
Padjelanta/Badjelánnda with 198 400 hectares, just ahead of Sarek with 197 000 hectares.
Which parks are part of Laponia?
Sarek, Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet and Muddus, together with the nature reserves Sjávnja and Stubbá.
Can I camp in Swedish national parks?
Often yes, but the rules vary. Abisko only allows camping at designated sites and Töfsingdalen bans tents within 600 metres of certain waters.
Can I fish in the national parks?
Fishing is banned in Abisko, Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet and Muddus. It is allowed with a licence near the trail in Padjelanta and in zone III of Fulufjället.
Can I bring my dog?
In the Laponia parks on a leash from 1 January to 30 April, and all year on Kungsleden in Sarek and Stora Sjöfallet and on the Rallarstigen path in Muddus. Other parks have their own rules.
Which park is the northernmost?
Vadvetjåkka, north west of Lake Torneträsk near the Norwegian border.
Where is Old Tjikko?
On the plateau of Fulufjället National Park in Dalarna.
Sources
- www.sverigesnationalparker.se: Swedish national parks portal: fact boxes for each park
- www.naturvardsverket.se: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: list of national parks with areas
- www.naturvardsverket.se: NFS 2013:10, regulations for Muddus, Padjelanta, Sarek and Stora Sjöfallet
- www.naturvardsverket.se: NFS 2002:21, regulations for Fulufjället
- www.naturvardsverket.se: NFS 2014:11, camping and fire ban in Töfsingdalen
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: Dalarna county administrative board: Töfsingdalen, 1 590 hectares
Facts checked on 6 November 2026.
English pages. Guide to the Swedish mountains, national parks, Sápmi and reindeer herding, Laponia World Heritage, mountain nature and fishing licences.
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