Sarek National Park, located in the heart of Swedish Lapland, is one of Europe’s last truly wild areas. This vast, untamed landscape is characterized by towering glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, and roaring rivers that carve through deep valleys. Covering over 1,970 square kilometers, Sarek is home to Sweden’s highest concentration of peaks over 2,000 meters, including Sarektjåkkå, and expansive glaciers that feed the dramatic Rapadalen delta, often referred to as Sweden’s Yosemite.

Even in summer, Sarek remains refreshingly cool, with average temperatures ranging between 10 and 15°C in the valleys and dropping even lower at higher elevations. The Midnight Sun casts a golden glow over the landscape, allowing for long days of hiking, exploration, and wildlife watching. Unlike traditional tourist destinations, Sarek offers no roads, marked trails, lodges, or facilities. It is a place of pure, unfiltered nature, ideal for those seeking complete solitude and a deep connection with the wilderness.

This is not a casual tourist destination. With no infrastructure to support visitors, Sarek demands experience, preparation, and self-sufficiency. It is best suited for seasoned hikers and trekkers who can navigate unmarked terrain using maps and compasses. Those who accept the challenge are rewarded with breathtaking scenery, encounters with reindeer, moose, wolverines, and Arctic foxes, and the satisfaction of traversing one of Europe’s last great wildernesses.

How to Get There

By Car: There are no roads leading directly into Sarek National Park, but the nearest access points are the villages of Kvikkjokk, Ritsem, and Saltoluokta. Kvikkjokk is the most common starting point and can be reached by car via Route 45 from Jokkmokk. The drive from Luleå to Kvikkjokk takes approximately 4–5 hours, while Ritsem and Saltoluokta are accessible via Route 45 and smaller connecting roads. Parking is available at these entry points, but from there, visitors must continue on foot or by boat.

By Air: The closest airport is in Luleå, which offers regular flights to and from Stockholm and other major Swedish cities. From Luleå, travelers can continue their journey by train or bus to Jokkmokk or Gällivare, where they can then access the park’s entry points.

By Train and Bus: There are no direct train routes to Sarek, but travelers can take a train to Gällivare or Jokkmokk, both of which are well connected to Sweden’s national railway network. From Gällivare, bus services run to Ritsem, while from Jokkmokk, buses operate to Kvikkjokk. These routes provide the closest public transport access to the park, though visitors must continue their journey into Sarek on foot.

Reaching Sarek requires advance planning, as it is a remote and roadless wilderness. The journey to the park is part of the adventure, offering stunning views of Swedish Lapland’s rugged landscapes along the way.