"Padjelanta National Park" Padjelanta Nationalpark by sim1

Padjelanta Nationalpark Travel Guide: 36 reviews and 90 photos

View over lake Virihaure - Padjelanta Nationalpark

This page is going to be about my hike through Padjelanta National Park. This is a part of my hiking trip in July/August 2006 in the Swedish Fjällen. The hiking trip along the Padjelantaleden (Padjalanta Hiking Trail) started in Kvikkjokk, went a tiny bit through Sarek National Park and ended in Stora Sjöfället National Park. In total we hiked about 160 kilometres. There are no roads in the area, just hiking trails, and of course beautiful nature! In the tips on this page you can read more about my experience in Padjelanta and the beauty this national park offers. But maybe it is a good idea to give you a short intro to the park first:

Padjelanta, or in the Sami language called Bádjelándda, means the "higher land" which is an appropriate name, as almost the whole national park is located above the tree line. It is Sweden’s largest National Park with an amazing 1,984 km2 in size. But the park is not on its own, it is surrounded by nature reserves. It is also connected to two other amazing national parks called Sarek and Stora Sjöfallet. Padjelanta is also part of an even larger area called Laponia, which is sometimes referred to as the "last wilderness of Europe".

There are no roads that lead to Padjelanta, only this hiking trail. No cars in sight, not even close. If you want to see this, you need to walk. The only way to get here is by foot, or, if you like, helicopter in to the Sami village of Staloluokta. But from there you have to make your way again on foot. The landscape is wonderful, large lakes, open mountain landscape and exceptionally varied flora and fauna. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of an arctic fox, wolverine or moose. But without a doubt you will meet some reindeer, as Padjelanta is a valuable grazing land for reindeers. And with the reindeer come three tiny Sami villages, which are all located very isolated in this beautiful highland area. Padjelanta is a special place, but at the same time not demanding. The only way to get here is on foot, but everyone that is in a reasonable condition can make that walk. In short: Padjelanta is a place to fall in love with..... just as I did.

This page is going to be an overview of my hiking trip.
The other chapters about this trip are:
Kvikkjokk - Njunjes
Njunjes - Tarrekaise
Tarrekaise - Såmmarlappa
Såmmarlappa - Tarraluoppalstugorna
Tarraluoppalstugorna - Tuottar (Under construction)
Staloluokta (Under construction)
Staloluokta - Arasluokta (Under construction)
Arasluokta - Låddejåkkå (Under construction)
Låddejåkka towards Kisuris (Under construction)
Kisuris - Akka (Under construction)

Smörboll / Globeflower

I've devided up my page in several chapters:

■ Things to do: An overview of the places I visited during my hike through the park.

■ Accommodations: A description of places I stayed at, describing the place and the feeling I had about it. Fun to read for those who want to get the feeling of this area and also for ones to plan a future trip here.

■ Transportation: The easiest way to get to Padjelanta.

■ Packing List: What to bring during a long hike in the Fjällen.

■ General tips: More information about the hiking trail "Padjelantaleden" and a some tips about planning hiking distances. Also tips about: "The Right of Public Access", " The Fjällen" area, and the Swedish National Parks.

Hiking the Padjelantaleden

I hope you will enjoy reading this page! Please leave me a comment what you think about it! :-))
Please read this page in 'authors order' as I mostly write my pages not only as separate tips, but with a story-line in it.

All the pictures on this travelpage are taken by me or by Åke (former VT-member Akeke), unless otherwise stated. Please do not use any of them without permission.

Last visit to Padjelanta Nationalpark: Aug 2006
Intro Updated Mar 11, 2007
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Reviews (34)

What to do after a long day of hiking? - Padjelanta Nationalpark

What to do after a long day of hiking? Things to Do (10)

So what do you do after a long day of hiking to relax when you are camping in the middle of nowhere far far away from... more travel advice

Through the woods: Dwarf Cornel, bunchberry - Padjelanta Nationalpark

Not really out of the woods yet Things to Do (10)

Although the landscape opened dramatically in front of us when entering Padjelanta, we are not really 'out of the... more travel advice

Padjelanta National Park - Padjelanta Nationalpark

A shocking change in landscape Things to Do (10)

Once again the trail leads through a forest of birches, leaving not that much chances for a nice place to stop along... more travel advice

The weather forecast - Padjelanta Nationalpark

Good morning at Såmmarlappa Things to Do (10)

Sunday morning, the 23rd of July It is early morning and I rub in my sleepy eyes. The night has been tough, but I... more travel advice

Local Customs (8)
See All Some Sami words
Hotels (5)
See All Såmmarlappastugan
Transportation (5)
See All Boat

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (17)

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Trekki Jan 10, 2010 at 1:29 AM

Ahhh, Padjelanta Nationalpark is on my wish list :-)) I really must move north one day for this magic hiking :-))
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robertgaz Jan 15, 2008 at 8:20 PM

I really enjoy reading your descriptions of these walks far away from the maddening crowds :~)
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Faiza-Ifrah Dec 1, 2007 at 12:36 PM

i checked on you after seeing that your footsteps in canada are becoming dimmer. what a fantastic trek you undertook here:-) i liked tips like view from the tent, sami culture and all the pictures.
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yellowcab Jul 19, 2007 at 9:41 AM

wow what a beautiful landscape you got there! wish to see it spmeday! how cold is in there?
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Nemorino Jul 17, 2007 at 9:52 AM

I always enjoy reading about your great hiking trips. Fine photos here of the two very different kinds of landscape you went through this time. Thanks for explaining about "allemansrätten". And for the informative tips on the Sami people.
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storyin Mar 19, 2007 at 10:03 AM

very very nice tips!!!!!!
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alza Mar 13, 2007 at 1:08 PM

forgot to say on your Homepage that the Padjelanta flowers are too beautiful for words! I'll visit your Nationalpark page soonest.
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Toyin Mar 11, 2007 at 1:55 AM

This is very educative, I surely will have a look at the references to learn more about this people. Thanks for sharing.
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nixca316 Feb 11, 2007 at 8:29 PM

Great Backen tip! =)
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scottishvisitor Nov 10, 2006 at 2:27 PM

Beautiful pictures and wonderful descriptions = Simone = more power to your finger tips!