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[edit] Overview

One of the largest national parks in Europe and with the adjacent Padjelanta and Stora Sjofallet this forms the largest protected wilderness area on the entire continent.

The park consists of a vast area of impressive mountain peaks, the highest of which is Sarektjakko at 2089m, gorges, including the spectacular Rapa Valley and glaciers, of which there are nearly one hundred in the park. Another important feature is the 4500ha Luottolako Plateau, snow-covered through most of the year and a breeding site for arctic birds.

The vegetation in the park is mainly lichens in the highest areas, dwarf willow scrub below this and subalpine birch forest in the lower areas.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard, Merlin and Gyr Falcon hunt the mountainsides with Long-tailed Skua, Rock Ptarmigan and Eurasian Dotterel breeding in the uplands and sometimes Snowy Owl.

Other breeders include Red-necked Phalarope and Purple Sandpiper, Arctic Warbler and Bluethroat.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Whooper Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Northern Pintail, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Rough-legged Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Gyr Falcon, Rock Ptarmigan, Eurasian Dotterel, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Long-tailed Skua, Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Meadow Pipit, Grey-headed Wagtail, Bluethroat, Fieldfare, Arctic Warbler, Willow Warbler, Brambling, Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting

[edit] Other Wildlife

Brown Bear, Lynx and Wolverine still survive here as well as Otter, Pine Marten and Reindeer. The flora includes Blue Mountain Heath, Glacier Crowfoot, Snow Gentian and Mountain Avens.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

Close to the park is the delta of the Rapaalven River where it flows into Lake Laidure, this area is a nature reserve and Ramsar Site.

Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and Northern Pintail, breed as well as Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup and Common Goldeneye.

The shores here also have Common Redshank, Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper.

[edit] Access and Facilities

Visitors to Sarek should be experienced in coping with harsh conditions and come fully equipped as there is no accommodation.

Access is unrestricted but the park is best visited June to September and reached by track from Kvikkjokk. There are some hiking trails and a small number of bridges within the park.

[edit] Contact Details

To do

[edit] External Links

• Awarded Sites of Sweden
• Sarek National Park

Content and images originally posted by Steve