Nature of Sweden - national parks and reserves for active recreation

The nature of Sweden fascinates and delights everyone who comes to this country. Behind the Arctic Circle, one can observe a unique natural phenomenon - the northern lights. Despite its northern location, the climate in Sweden is not so severe due to its proximity to the warm Gulf Stream. The surface of the country is covered mainly by coniferous forest and taiga. One of the most picturesque places is the northern Swedish province of Lapland, where the Sami live. The Swedish Laponia is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are 29 national parks on the territory of the country. Their lands are protected by the state therefore any defiance will result in serious fines. Most of the territory of parks is occupied by mountains.

Sweden is the first country to start creating national parks on its territory for nature conservation. One of the first national parks of the country is Abisko, located 200km to the north of the Arctic Circle. Most part of the park is occupied by the canyon of the Abisko River and Lake Tornetrask, which is covered by ice for most of the year. The park is inhabited by many northern birds and animals: arctic fox, reindeer, lemming, bun, white owl, snipe, wolverine, and wolf. Another northern national park - Vadvetjakkka, is on the border with Norway. There are no roads leading to the park so you can get to it only by the water or the ice of Lake Tornetrask. In this rather inaccessible park, the authorities managed to preserve the pristine nature of the northern birch forests as much as possible.

In the Kalmarsund Strait is the island of Bla Jungfrun, whose territory is also a protected national park. The island is almost entirely composed of bare rocks and boulders. The rocks have a characteristic reddish tinge for granite. In the southern part of the island there is a forest. The island has never been inhabited. Since ancient times, the locals have considered this place a coven of witches. In the caves of the national park, there is a stone labyrinth. On the island there are hares and flying squirrels. Also, more than 200 species of lichens grow here. Another national park is on the island of Gotska-Sandon in the Baltic Sea. The shores of Gotska-Sandon are inhabited by seals; the island's flora is quite diverse. In the summer months there are regular excursions for tourists by water. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The largest national park in Sweden is the Padjelanta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is part of Laponia (Swedish Lapland). On its territory are the two most beautiful lakes of the country - Vastenjaure and Virihaure. The Sami - the indigenous population live in the Lapland, leading a nomadic way of life. Their settlements are also in the territory of other national parks - Muddus, Sarek, and Stura-Shefalet. Stura-Shefalet is located in the Scandinavian mountains, which formed 400 million years ago as a result of a continental clash. In the park there is a picturesque waterfall of the same name, foxes, rabbits, ermines, deer live here. The park is a popular place among tourists. Tours and excursions are regularly hosted here.

Another popular tourist destination is the Sarek National Park, located in the Jokkmokk region. Despite the fact that it does not have any laid-out tourist route, every year a huge number of people come here to conquer mountain peaks or go hiking. Climbers are attracted by the mountain Sarektjakka, whose peak is the second highest in the country (about 2000 meters). Climbing is incredibly difficult. The route is not always conquered even by professionals. The park is one of the oldest and largest in the country. On its lands there are more than 100 ancient glaciers. The park's territory is included in the World Heritage List, as the park is part of the Swedish Lapland.

On the "High Shore" of Sweden is the Skuleskogen National Park, which is a unique place for the landscape of Sweden. On its territory are simultaneously located mountains, sea and forest, whose surfaces are dappled with numerous gorges. In the valley of the Dalalven River there is Lake Farnebofjarden. A park of the same name in its water area includes more than 200 small islands. In the park nests more than 100 species of different birds. The lake is a border between coniferous and deciduous forests. Park Tyresta is an example of a rift valley. It is covered by one of the largest massifs of the country's deciduous forests.