Padjelanta National Park

© Sebw/Shutterstock

Panorama Mountain landscape and Wide Scenery in Padjelanta National Park with Wet Hiking Trail leading away from Camera during dramatic weather in the Summer in Northern Sweden, Lapland.; Shutterstock ID 1909032256;

The largest national park in Sweden, 1984-sq-km Padjelanta gets its name from the Sami name Badjelánnda, meaning "higher land," and appropriately consists of a vast plateau, largely above the treeline, surrounding three huge lakes: Vastenjávvre, Virihávvre and Sáluhávrre. It is the westernmost part of the World Heritage Area, bordering Norway. The park sees plenty of visitors as the 139-km Padjelanta Trail runs through it, accessed from Ritsem in the north and Kvikkjokk in the south.

An abundance of fish and forage for reindeer makes Badjelánnda a popular summer area for Sámi herders.

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