Nature in the Swedish mountains: peaks, zones and wildlife
Above the tree line Sweden turns into open tundra with glaciers, lemmings and arctic foxes. This page explains the vegetation zones, the melting summit of Kebnekaise and the animals you may meet, with figures from Swedish research stations and authorities.
From birch forest to bare rock
Climb from a valley floor to a summit and you pass through four zones in a few hours. Each one has its own plants and animals.
Mountain birch forest
A belt of low, twisted birch just below the tree line. Moose, willow grouse and many small birds live here.
Low alpine zone
Willow thickets, dwarf birch and heath with crowberry and blueberry. This is the main summer grazing land for reindeer.
Mid alpine zone
Grass heaths and snowbed plants that survive a growing season of only a few weeks.
High alpine zone
Boulder fields, lichens and scattered mosses. Very few flowering plants grow this high.
Where the tree line runs depends on latitude, slope and local climate. It lies higher in the south and in sheltered valleys, while it drops towards the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Warmer summers are moving it uphill in many places. Willow and dwarf birch are also spreading into the open heath above.
Kebnekaise is shrinking
Kebnekaise has two summits. The north peak is bare rock and has a fixed height of 2 096.8 metres. The south peak is capped by a glacier whose height varies with winter snow and summer melt, according to Stockholm University.
For most of the 1900s the glacier top was the highest point in Sweden. In 2019 the north peak became the highest point for the first time, and it has kept that position every year since.
Measurements by Tarfala research station, Stockholm University. The north peak is fixed at 2 096.8 metres.
The 2025 measurement gave 2 088.4 metres, which is 8.4 metres below the north peak. According to TV4 the 2026 measurement gave 2 088.3 metres, a drop of only 10 centimetres after a cold summer. The research station reports that the south peak has lost about 30 metres since systematic measurements began in 1951.
Wildlife in the mountains
Most visitors see reindeer, ptarmigan and lemmings. Predators are rarer and keep their distance from people.
| Animal | Status | Where and when |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic fox | Endangered in Sweden | Den areas on the high fells. Numbers rise in lemming years |
| Wolverine | Above the national reference value | Across the whole mountain chain, mostly seen as tracks |
| Golden eagle | Protected | Hunts over open fells and valleys |
| Lemming | Common in peak years | Peaks every few years, when they run across trails |
| Ptarmigan | Common | White in winter and mottled in summer |
| Reindeer | Herded by Sami villages | Everywhere in the northern and central mountains |
The arctic fox is the clearest conservation success. Around 2000 only 40 to 60 adults remained in Sweden. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency estimated about 526 adult foxes in Sweden, Norway and Finland together in 2025, down from 582 the year before. It also recorded 56 litters on the Swedish side.
Wolverines have also recovered. According to the agency the Swedish population is stable above the national reference value of 600 animals.
Leave no trace
- Arctic fox densDo not approach a den or stay near it. A disturbed family may move its pups.
- BirdsKeep away from nests in spring and early summer. Ground nesting birds are easy to step on.
- PlantsThe growing season is short and tracks heal slowly. Stay on the trail where one exists.
- DogsKeep dogs leashed. They can frighten reindeer and birds even when they mean no harm.
The right of public access applies in the mountains, with extra care around reindeer and nesting birds. Read the agency guide on public access in the mountains and our page on reindeer herding before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Sweden?
The north peak of Kebnekaise at 2 096.8 metres. It has been higher than the glacier capped south peak since 2019.
How high is the south peak of Kebnekaise?
2 088.4 metres in September 2025 according to Stockholm University. TV4 reported 2 088.3 metres in 2026.
Can I see an arctic fox?
It is possible but rare. About 526 adults lived in Sweden, Norway and Finland in 2025, mostly on remote high fells.
Are there bears in the mountains?
Bears live mainly in the forest east of the mountains. Wolverines and lynx are the predators most linked to the fells.
What is the tree line?
The upper limit of forest, formed by mountain birch in Sweden. It varies with latitude, slope and climate.
What are the vegetation zones?
Mountain birch forest, low alpine, mid alpine and high alpine zones.
Sources
- www.su.se: Stockholm University: Kebnekaise south peak continues to melt, September 2025
- www.su.se: Stockholm University, Swedish version with the 2 088.4 m figure
- www.tv4.se: TV4: the south peak measured at 2 088.3 m in 2026
- www.naturvardsverket.se: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: arctic fox census 2025
- www.naturvardsverket.se: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: wolverine census results, January 2026
- www.naturvardsverket.se: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: public access in the mountains
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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