List of national parks of Swedenn

Abisko

Björnlandet

Blå Jungfrun

Dalby Söderskog

Djurö

Fulufjället

Färnebofjärden

Garphyttan

Gotska Sandön

Hamra

Haparanda Archipelago

Koster-
havet

Muddus

Norra Kvill

Padjelanta

Pieljekaise

Sarek

Skuleskogen

Stenshuvud

Stora Sjöfallet

Store Mosse

Sånfjället

Söderåsen

Tiveden

Tresticklan

Tyresta

Töfsingdalen

Vadvetjåkka

Ängsö

National parks of Sweden (clickable map)

National parks of Sweden are managed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Swedish: Naturvårdsverket) and owned by the state. The goal of the national park service is to create a system of protected areas that represent all the distinct natural regions of the country.^[1] In 1909, Sweden became the first country in Europe to establish such parks when nine were opened following the Riksdag passing of a law on national parks that year. This was followed by the establishment of seven parks between 1918 and 1962 and thirteen between 1982 and 2009, with the latest being Kosterhavet National Park.^[1] There are currently 29 national parks in Sweden, comprising a total area of 731,589 hectares (1,807,796 acres);^[2] six more are scheduled to open by 2013.^[3]
According to the EPA, Swedish national parks must represent unique landscape types and be effectively protected and used for research, recreation, and tourism without damaging nature.^[4] Mountain terrain dominates approximatively 90% of the parks' combined area. The reason for this is the extensive mountain areas taken up by the large northern parks—Sarek National Park and Padjelanta National Park each cover approximately 200,000 hectares (490,000 acres).^[5][6] Many of the northern parks are part of the Laponian area, one of Sweden's UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its preserved natural landscape and habitat for the native reindeer-herding Sami people.^[7] The southernmost parks—Söderåsen National Park, Dalby Söderskog National Park and Stenshuvud National Park—are covered with broadleaf forest and together cover approximately 2,000 ha (4,942 acres).^[8][9][10] Fulufjället National Park is part of PAN Parks,^[11] a network founded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to provide better long-term conservation and tourism management of European national parks.^[12]

Contents

• 1 National parks
• 2 Future national parks
• 3 See also
• 4 References

National parks

A river delta near Sarek National Park

Pierikpakte Mountain, part of Sarek National Park

Skäralid River, part of Söderåsen National Park

Abisko National Park was established in 1909.

Stream just over the tree line in Stora Sjöfallet National Park.

The forest in Dalby Söderskog National Park

The hill Stenshuvud in Stenshuvud National Park

Gotska Sandön National Park is one of Sweden's oldest national parks.

  This along with * indicates that the national park is part of a World Heritage Site

  This along with ** indicates that the national park is a Protected Area Network Park

Name	Location[13]	Area[13]	Established[13]	Description
Abisko National Park	Norrbotten County	7,700 ha (19,027 acres)	1909	The park is composed of valleys framed by mountain ranges in the south and west and Scandinavia's largest alpine lake, Torneträsk, in the north.[14]
Ängsö National Park	Stockholm County	168 ha (415 acres)	1909	Ängsö is an island in the Stockholm archipelago. The park is known for its "ancient farm landscape in the archipelago environment, the spring flowers, and the varied bird life".[15]
Björnlandet National Park	Västerbotten County	1,100 ha (2,718 acres)	1991	Björnlandet's geography is distinguished by its large virgin forest and mountain terrain with steep ravines and cliffs. The park features traces of several forest fires.[16]
Blå Jungfrun National Park	Kalmar County	198 ha (489 acres)	1926	Blå Jungfrun is an island in the Baltic Sea dominated by clefts and hollows in the north and forest in the south.[17]
Dalby Söderskog National Park	Skåne County	36 ha (89 acres)	1918	Deciduous forest surrounded by a 56 m (184 ft) wide earth bank that takes up a large part of the park.[9]
Djurö National Park	Västra Götaland County	2,400 ha (5,931 acres)	1991	Djurö National Park consists of an archipelago with about 30 islands in Sweden's biggest lake, Vänern.[18]
Färnebofjärden National Park	Dalarna, Gävleborg, Uppsala, and Västmanland counties	10,100 ha (24,958 acres)	1998	Dalälven River passes through the park and the uneven shoreline encloses over 200 islands and islets.[19]
Fulufjället National Park**	Dalarna County	38,500 ha (95,136 acres)	2002	The park consists mainly of bare mountain heights, and heaths that are unique in the Swedish mountains.[11]
Garphyttan National Park	Örebro County	111 ha (274 acres)	1909	Garphyttan National Park consists of landscape altered by humans through agriculture and forestry, such as meadows and deciduous forest.[20]
Gotska Sandön National Park	Gotland County	4,490 ha (11,095 acres)	1909	Gotska Sandön is an island composed of sand. Its scenery is dominated by beaches, dunes, and pine forests.[21]
Hamra National Park	Gävleborg County	28 ha (69 acres)	1909	Hamra National Park contains two low moraine hills covered with virgin forest and large rock boulders.[22]
Haparanda Archipelago National Park	Norrbotten County	6,000 ha (14,826 acres)	1995	Located in the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia, the park is composed of low islands with wide sandy beaches.[23]
Kosterhavet National Park	Västra Götaland County	38,878 ha (96,070 acres)	2009	Kosterhavet National Park is the first national marine park of Sweden and was inaugurated in September 2009. It consists of the sea and shores around the Koster Islands, however excluding the islands themselves.[24][25][26][27]
Muddus National Park*	Norrbotten County	49,340 ha (121,922 acres)	1942	Muddus National Park is home of deep ravines and primeval forests. Sweden's oldest pine tree is located in the park.[28]
Norra Kvill National Park	Kalmar County	114 ha (282 acres)	1927	Norra Kvill is an ancient forest with tall pine trees that are over 350 years old. Three lakes are situated in the park: Stora Idegölen, Lilla Idegölen and Dalskärret.[29]
Padjelanta National Park*	Norrbotten County	198,400 ha (490,257 acres)	1962	The park, which borders Norway in the west, is primarily composed of a flat and open landscape that surrounds the two lakes Vastenjávrre and Virihávrre.[6]
Pieljekaise National Park	Norrbotten County	15,340 ha (37,906 acres)	1909	Pieljekaise National Park is composed of birch forest, mountain terrain, and several lakes. The park is named after Pieljekaise Mountain, a landmark in the area.[30]
Sånfjället National Park	Jämtland County	10,300 ha (25,452 acres)	1909	The park is named after the 1,278 m (4,193 ft) high mountain Sånfjället. The mountainous area is intersected by streaming lakes and a forest area.[31]
Sarek National Park*	Norrbotten County	197,000 ha (486,798 acres)	1909	The park features an alpine landscape with high peaks and narrow valleys. More than 100 glaciers are found in the park, and several mountains are over 2,000 m (6,600 ft) high.[5]
Skuleskogen National Park*	Västernorrland County	2,360 ha (5,832 acres)	1984	Skuleskogen National Park is composed of ancient forest, high mountains, and sea coast. The mountain peaks are covered with pine forest and are separated by valleys formed by the sea and ice sheets.[32]
Söderåsen National Park	Skåne County	1,625 ha (4,015 acres)	2001	The park features an especially contoured landscape with up to 90 m (300 ft) deep ravines. The valleys are covered with broadleaf forest, mostly beech.[8]
Stenshuvud National Park	Skåne County	390 ha (964 acres)	1986	Stenshuvud is a hill that faces the Baltic Sea. Because the surrounding landscape is relatively flat, it can be seen from a great distance and has been used by seafarers as an aid to navigation at sea. Most of the area is covered with broadleaf forest.[10]
Stora Sjöfallet National Park*	Norrbotten County	127,800 ha (315,801 acres)	1909	The park's northern portions lie in the Scandinavian Mountains, home to some of Sweden's highest peaks. The lower hills in the park's southern part are covered with forest.[33]
Store Mosse National Park	Jönköping County	7,850 ha (19,398 acres)	1989	Store Mosse National Park is the home of the largest bog area in southern Sweden. The lake Kävsjön, containing many species of birds, is located within the park.[34]
Tiveden National Park	Örebro County and Västra Götaland counties	1,350 ha (3,336 acres)	1983	Tiveden National Park is a part of the large Tiveden forest. The park is situated in the most inaccessible part of the forest. The landscape is mountainous and stony.[35]
Töfsingdalen National Park	Dalarna County	1,615 ha (3,991 acres)	1930	Töfsingdalen National Park consists of two mountain ridges separated by a valley covered with fields and virgin forest.[36]
Tresticklan National Park	Västra Götaland County	2,897 ha (7,159 acres)	1996	This park contains a rift valley landscape and is one of the few remaining areas of pristine forest in southern Scandinavia.[37]
Tyresta National Park	Stockholm County	2,000 ha (4,942 acres)	1993	Tyresta is a gorge landscape with stony slopes. The park, covered with pine forest, is one of the largest virgin forests in Sweden.[38]
Vadvetjåkka National Park	Norrbotten County	2,630 ha (6,499 acres)	1920	Located in a mountain region north-west of Lake Torneträsk, Vadvetjåkka National Park is the northernmost national park in Sweden. The park is named after Vadvetjåkka Mountain, which is located within the park.[39]

Future national parks

Sweden's highest mountain Kebnekaise will be part of a national park sometime between 2009 and 2013.

The Sylan mountain range will be part of the Vålådalen-Sylarna National Park.

In 2008, after investigations and interviews with the participating counties, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency laid down a plan to establish 13 new national parks in the near future. According to the plan, seven of the parks will be established between 2009 and 2013, the first being Kosterhavet National Park which was inaugurated in September 2009. It is currently unknown when the six remaining parks will be established.^[3]

Name	Location[40]	Area[40]	Date of establishment[40]
Bästeträsk National Park	Gotland County	5,000 ha (12,355 acres)	2009–2013
Blaikfjället National Park	Västerbotten County	40,000 ha (98,842 acres)	2009–2013
Kebnekaise National Park	Norrbotten County	65,000 ha (160,618 acres)	2009–2013
Tavvavuoma National Park	Norrbotten County	40,000 ha (98,842 acres)	2009–2013
Vålådalen-Sylarna National Park	Jämtland County	230,000 ha (568,342 acres)	2009–2013
Västra Åsnen National Park	Kronoberg County	2,000 ha (4,942 acres)	2009–2013
Nämdöskärgården National Park	Stockholm County	14,000 ha (34,595 acres)	TBA
Koppången National Park	Dalarna County	5,000 ha (12,355 acres)	TBA
Reivo National Park	Norrbotten County	11,000 ha (27,182 acres)	TBA
Rogen-Juttulslätten National Park	Dalarna County and Jämtland County	100,000 ha (247,105 acres)	TBA
Sankt Anna National Park	Östergötland County	10,000 ha (24,711 acres)	TBA
Vindelfjällen National Park Lorem Ipsum Skule National Park A visit to Skule/Skuleskogen National Park and its majestic, wild and amazingly beautiful nature is a must during your stay in the High Coast of Sweden. Skule National Park combines high mountains, ancient forest and sea coast in a landscape which is without equal in Sweden. _________________________________________________________________________ Skule National Park (Skuleskogens Nationalpark) is for you who like hiking in a landscape that is unique in the world. . Located in the heart of the High Coast of Sweden, Skule National Park is perfect for a day out or for days of hiking. Skule National Park – A place for everybody Once upon a time this area scared its visitors with the tales of goblins, trolls and robbers. They have all now disappeared and today Skule National Park (Skuleskogens Nationalpark) is filled with hiking routes of various difficulties, suitable for both the experienced and the beginner and for kids and seniors. Combine Skule National Park with Skule Mountain Combine a hike in the Skule National Park with a “fika” or dinner at the top Cabin at Skule Mountain and you can be sure to get memories for a lifetime. A Guide to the Best of Skule National Park: - The Land Uplift - Slåttdalsskrevan. - Slåttdalsberget. - The Forest - The Animals Facts about Skule Nationalpark Established: 1984, extended 2009.  Location: App. 40 kilometres south of Örnsköldsvik. Close to the town of Docksta. Why: The spectacular views and Skule National Park’s dramatic landscape. When:  Skule National Park is a year-round destination. Who: Those who are looking for a short trip of a couple of hours as well as for visitors who wish to spend several days in the national park. Over 30 kilometres of well-marked paths of varying degrees of difficulty lead you to everything worth seeing in Skule National Park.	Västerbotten County	550,000 ha (1,359,080 acres)	Safe harbour ... new restrictions on fishing, fuel type and anchoring protect the marine life around Sweden's Koster Islands. Photograph: Chris Madigan It was rush hour at Västra Bryggan, a tiny harbour of ramshackle brown boathouses in the sound separating the two main Koster Islands, off the west coast of Sweden. You could tell it was rush hour because there were people waiting at both quaysides for the little covered chain ferry, akin to a floating bus shelter. A group of retired ladies was doing Tai Chi on the shore and two cormorants had been disturbed by a fishing boat returning to its mooring. King Carl-Gustav opens the first marine national park. Photograph: Chris Madigan The previous morning the scene had been different. A ferry had brought hundreds of people over from the mainland to a ceremony marking the inauguration of Sweden's first marine national park, Kosterhavet ("Koster sea"), centred on this archipelago north of Gothenburg and close to the border with Norway. With cars banned on the islands (only little tricycle mopeds called "flakmoppe" help with goods deliveries), the crowds had continued on foot to see King Carl-Gustav ring the bell marking the official opening. It was all very feudal. The Koster Islands themselves have long been nature reserves, but now the unique sea life around the archipelago has been officially recognised and protected with restrictions on fishing, fuel type and anchoring, as well as a speed limit of five knots to discourage commercial shipping. At stake is the welfare of 6,000 different marine species, including 200 found nowhere else on the Swedish coast - notably reefs of "lophelia pertusa" cold-water coral. Koster Sound. Photograph: Chris Madigan There are as many species again on land, as we discovered on a guided hike across the two main islands with botanist Lars Arvidsson. (The 12 sq km of these islands, makes up just 2.5% of the area of the immense new national park). In places, the land is bare and rocky, elsewhere it's highly fertile - a little like Ireland's Burren. The Gothenburg University botanist explained that parts of the land used to be sea inlets, but rose to dry out, depositing ground sea shells in the soil and leaving it very alkaline, which suits most plants. We even saw 10,000-year-old oyster shells sticking out of a bank of earth in an oak forest. Walking is just one of the ways you can explore the national park, whose custodians are very aware of its three levels: land (you can hire bicycles); on the water (sea kayaking is very popular); and beneath the waves (either scuba diving or snorkelling). Fisherman with his 'flakmoppe' motor tricycle. Photograph: Chris Madigan Of the two islands, the north is a little more rugged and untamed by farmers - there are clumps of heather and juniper bushes and a rockier shoreline. Surrounding the main islands lies an archipelago of countless uninhabited skerries. Most are barren, but attractively so. The pinkish-grey granite and gneiss rock (occasionally streaked with volcanic black diabase) forming the islands was left smooth by the ice age, and they barely rise out of the sea, resembling whales breaking the waves or basking seals. Taking to the sea the next day, we saw a colony of harbour seals, out towards the remote lighthouse island of Ursholmen. However, all eyes on the research vessel from the Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences were on the remote operated vehicle (ROV) being lowered into the sea. We had anchored up on the edge of the section of the deep Norwegian trench, which brings Atlantic ocean water into the Kosterhavet, increasing salinity and creating the ideal environment for biodiversity. The ROV delivered live proof of this to a screen in the boat's cabin – every inch of the seabed was covered with brightly coloured life: anemones, cushion starfish, flame shells, crabs and crayfish. It soon became clear why commercial trawling for prawns and crayfish is so damaging: it rips up this habitat to maximise the catch. Thankfully, inside the national park, only sustainable fishing, using small vessels, is allowed. One such fisherman, Niklas Nilsson, the youngest in the islands at 23, offers visitors a chance to find out first hand what harvesting crayfish with pots entails – by taking you out and putting you to work gathering in the catch. It's laborious work and yields a far smaller catch than trawling, but has minimal impact – crucially not destroying the tunnels in which the crayfish live. Fishing the sustainable way. Photograph: Chris Madigan Dressed in bright orange, with thick gloves to protect me against the claws of our catch, I hooked in the buoy that marked the link of 40 pots, reeled in the line and emptied the pots of their contents. There was something compelling and immersive about the activity. You are pulling up the pots that you hope will contain food for your own dinner - so each one that contains two or three crayfish or a large crab feels like a triumph, as you prize the crustaceans out of the pot; and each one that doesn't is a disappointment, as you throw sea cucumbers, little fish or tiny crabs back into the sea. Back at the harbour, we had an unusual treat in store. Niklas plunged the catch straight into boiling sea water right there on the pontoon, as he would before selling them to one of the excellent seafood restaurants on the islands for around £1 each. But rather than waiting for the traditional serving method for crayfish - cold with mayonnaise, lemon juice and bread - we got to eat them fresh and hot. The pot method of catching them not only protects their habitat, it improves the flavour too. Fresh seafood for lunch. Photograph: Chris Madigan This is perhaps the very paragon of slow food, a movement that has captured the imagination of people in the Kosters. There is a smokehouse on South Koster and another by the docks in the gateway town of Strömstad, where Åse Jensen and her husband are bringing back local specialities such as salt-smoked mackerel. On South Koster, Stefan von Bothmer has set up an organic garden and cafe, where flavour-packed dishes such as pumpkin soup and pea hummus offer an alternative to yet another tempting feast of seafood. The peaceful gardens and greenhouses are tended by volunteers who have signed up for free board and lodging (and use of Stefan's sea kayaks) as "willing workers on organic farms" (wwoof.org). Before tucking into dinner, however, Stefan takes us on a cycle tour of South Koster. Bicycle is the ideal means of transport here, although, it takes a while to get used to the backward pedal brake system on the local bikes - my ankles took a battering. The tour itself had a very different tone to the botany professor's, as Stefan combined a deep understanding of the anthropological history of the islands with some new age concepts. We cycled down to the unexpected, long Kilesand beach, framed by pine trees. Stefan brought out magnifying loupes and placed them in the sand. Apparently, under every footprint there are 20,000 microscopic worms or larvae and 20 million algae. We couldn't see those individuals, but the little creatures, tiny shells and fragments of minerals the magnifying glasses reveal, looked like an array of jewels to make Bulgari blush. Sundown on the Koster Islands. Photograph: Chris Madigan We then climbed Koster's mountain. The 45m fjell afforded a surprisingly comprehensive view - from the mainland coastline to the Ursholmen lighthouses. The sun was setting, throwing the scores of skerries into dramatic relief. Stefan led us down the hill, then we plunged through a tunnel in the bushes to emerge on another bulbous granite outcrop by the sea. Stefan's boathouse, his escape from what little stress there is on these islands, is one of the most peaceful places I've ever drunk a sundowner.	TBA