How to behave within the Laponia World Heritage Site

Photo: Jan Nilsson

In Laponia you are nature’s guest

Nature in Laponia is open to everyone, all year round, 24 hours a day. But don’t forget that freedom in nature comes with great responsibility. By following the regulations, you are helping to preserve the values of the World Heritage Site.

Keep in mind that the right of public access is limited in the national parks and nature reserves of Laponia. There are also special rules and regulations that visitors must follow. It is also your responsibility as a visitor to find out the full regulations.

Exemptions and permits

Exemptions or permits can be obtained for activities that are not allowed under the regulations. To obtain an exemption or permit, contact the Norrbotten County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen i Norrbottens län). Laponiatjuottjudus which manages the Laponia World Heritage Site is not an authority, but acts as a referral body for the County Administrative Board.

Leave no trace

During your time in Laponia, you are also helping to take care of our World Heritage Site. We carry on a respect for nature and living things that have been here for thousands of years.

– Respect those who live here. Avoid camping and resting too close to private cabins and huts or on trails.

– If possible, choose a campsite with a surface free of moss and lichen or other sensitive ground vegetation. Use already established campsites, rather than creating a new one.

– Hike along existing trails if possible. Older trails usually follow the best routes.

– Traditional trail markings are sparse and blend in with nature. Do not make new trail markers or cairns.

– A hearth is often a trace of another person’s settlement. Do not take stones from an old hearth to make a new one.

– Don’t wash upstream of a stream where others draw drinking water.

– When nature is calling, do your business far from running water. Dig a hole or put stones on it to cover it up.

– Do not take more than you need. It will be there for the generations that come after us.

Reindeer herding rights

Reindeer herding rights apply throughout Laponia. It gives the reindeer-herding Sami the right to use land and water for themselves and their animals, such as hunting, fishing, building and using motor vehicles where otherwise prohibited.

Show respect for reindeer husbandry

Laponia is the workplace of the Sami communities. Keep in mind that:

– Avoid disturbing the reindeer. If you encounter a herd or individual reindeer, sit down and wait for the reindeer to pass or take a detour around them.

– Spring is a sensitive period. Then the female reindeer need to calve undisturbed.

– If you encounter a flock or herd during the summer, the reindeer herders may be working on the collection for calf tagging. Avoid scattering the reindeer, which can ruin many days of work.

– Do not camp next to the reindeer pens, they may be used.

– Enjoy the reindeer from a distance

What exactly is going on in Laponia?

Dogs in Laponia

Please note that dogs are not allowed in Laponia for the majority of the year. However, there are a number of exceptions

Leashed dog

In the national parks of Laponia

you can have a dog on a leash from January 1 to April 30. Leashed dogs are also allowed all year round when hiking the King’s Trail and along the Rallar Trail in Muttos/Muddus, and in an area between the power line and the Stora Lulevatten lake system in Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet National Park. More over, dogs are not allowed in national parks.

In the Sjávnja/Sjaunja nature reserve

you can bring your dog all year round, but it must always be on a leash.

In the Stubbá nature reserve and in the Sulidälbmá, Lájtávrredeltat and Tjuoldavuobme areas

the right of public access applies. In areas where dogs are allowed, you must keep your dog under extra close supervision from March 1 to August 20. Dogs should be prevented from running loose in areas where there is wildlife.

Dog teams

In Laponia’s national parks, dog sledding is not allowed without a permit from the county administrative board (Länsstyrelsen). There is no longer a difference for dog teams for commercial activities or for private use.

Organized tours in Laponia

According to the regulations for Laponia’s national parks and nature reserves, it is prohibited to conduct competitions, camp activities, regular organized tours or other organized major events without the permission of the County Administrative Board.

To obtain an exemption or permit, contact the Norrbotten County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen i Norrbottens län).

The right of public access

Thanks to the right of public access, we all have access to nature. In the national parks and nature reserves of Laponia, the right of public access is limited. There are special rules and regulations that visitors must follow.

Drones in Laponia

In the national parks Badjelánnda/Padjelanta, Sarek and Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet it is forbidden to fly a drone without a permit from the County Administrative Board.

Cycling in Laponia

The regulations prohibit cycling in Laponia’s national parks and nature reserves.

You can cycle on public roads and on the road:

– Single road to Rijtjem/Ritsem

– Single road between Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet and Sádijávrre/Satishaure

– Bike path between Alláváre/Allavaara and Måsskejávrre/Måskejaur

It is of course also possible to cycle from Sitoälvsbron to Lájtávrre, as it is outside Laponia.

Regulations

It is your responsibility as a visitor to find out the full regulations. Below you will find a link to all regulations concerning the Laponia national parks and the Stubbá and Sjávnja/Sjaunja nature reserves.

Find all the regulations here!

Large area, many questions

Where can I find more information about hiking in Muttos/Muddus? In which areas are dogs allowed? We get many different kinds of questions about Laponia. Here we compile the most common and important questions and answers.

Every year, we post up-to-date information on the website about when the road to Skájdde is plowed and when the seasonal bridge at Skárja is laid out and removed for the season.

How to get to Arvidssonstugan?

Arvidssonstugan in Muddus/Mutto National Park is not on any trails, but one way to get there is from the forest road that turns east just north of Harsprånget.

RT90 coordinates 1688239 7431977.

Summer bridges

Skárjábron (Mihkká) in Sarek, Bållávrjåhkåbron and Varvvekbron in Badjelánnda are the only summer bridges in Laponia. A summer bridge is a bridge that is removed at the end of each bare ground season and raised again for the summer season. The bridges are put out around the last week of June and taken in by mid-September. When they are deployed varies due to water flow and snow cover. Contact us for more information or keep an eye on our website.

Miellädno

The bridge over Miellädno upstream at Álggajávrre is in poor condition and is used at your own risk. Near the mouth of Miellädno are rowing boats belonging to the Church of Sweden, but which can also be used by hikers.

Are all bridges in good condition?

Yes, the bridges are checked every year. However, weather conditions can cause damage, so let us know if you notice any defects.

The cabins along the Badjelánndaleden trail are run by the Sami communities through the Badjelánnda Laponia Tourism (BLT) association. More information about the cottages can be found on their website ww.padjelanta.com.

Muttos/Muddus National Park

The cottages in Muttos are not bookable. They are open to everyone all year round. They are not staffed and you pay before or after your stay in the cottage. The fee is used to keep the cottages and trails in Muttos in good condition. Information and payment cards are available in all cottages.

Badjelánnda/Padjelanta National Park

The cottages in Badjelánnda are staffed by caretakers from midsummer to early September. You can read more on the Sami village association Badjelánnda Laponia Tourism, BLT. They are the ones who run and staff the cottages in Badjelánnda. During the winter, there is always a winter-open cabin in each cabin camp.

Other accommodation in Laponia

Contact local tourist offices for more information on other accommodation in the World Heritage Site.

See the naturum page for bus times.

Building permits are applied for at the municipalities, but information on building permits must be communicated to Laponiatjuottjudus, info@laponia.nu.

Dievssajávri (Teusajaure)

The King’s Trail between Dievssajávri and Vákkudavárre requires you to row across Dievssajávri (Teusajaur). There are rowing boats and you can also get a ride from the cottage host if you raise the flag at the lake. The rowing boats are put out when the cabins along the King’s Trail open and taken in again after they have closed. Please contact us for an exact date of arrival. Remember that there must always be a boat on each side once you have rowed across.

M/S Langas & Áhkájávrre (Akkajaure)

Boat timetables can be found on the naturum website.

The regulations prohibit cycling in Laponia’s national parks and nature reserves. But you can cycle on public roads and on the road:

– Single road to Rijtjem/Ritsem
– Individual road between Stora Sjöfallet/Stuor Muorkke and Sádijávrre/.
Satishaure
– Bike path between Alláváre/Allavaara and Måsskejávrre/Måskejaur

It is of course also possible to cycle from Sitoälvsbron to Lájtávrre, as it is outside Laponia.

In the national parks Badjelánnda/Padjelanta, Sarek and Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet it is forbidden to fly a drone without permission from the County Administrative Board.

The falling of trees is a natural process and an important part of ecosystems. Trees that fall may be left standing. If they are over a path, they are removed by the administration as soon as possible.

Fishing is prohibited in national parks, except in certain waters along the Badjelánndaleden in Badjelánnda/Padjelanta National Park and in Stuor Julevädno along the southern border of Muttos/Muddus. There is more information about exactly where you can and cannot fish on the County Administrative Board’s website and on Jokkmokk’s Hunting and Fishing website. There is also information on where you can buy a fishing license. At Naturum Laponia you can also buy a fishing license and get information on where to fish.

There are leaflets for all national parks in Laponia and for the Sjávnja/Sjaunja nature reserve. These are available at the tourist offices in Jokkmokk and Gällivare and also at Naturum Laponia in Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet. World Heritage brochures and nature center programs are available at tourist offices and the Ájtte Museum in Jokkmokk.

In Muttos/Muddus there was the former bird sanctuary that had a ban on access during the period 15/3-31/7. The bird protection areas were removed when the regulations were renewed in 2013. On some maps the areas are still marked, but there is no ban on access. But be aware that there are many protected nesting birds in Muttos, so visit with caution.

For the national parks and nature reserves that are part of Laponia, there are special rules and regulations that visitors must follow. By following the regulations, you are helping to preserve the values of the World Heritage Site.

In the national parks of Laponia, leashed dogs are allowed from January 1 to April 30. Leashed dogs are also allowed all year round when hiking the King’s Trail and along the Rallar Trail in Muttos/Muddus, and in an area between the power line and the Stora Lulevatten lake system in Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet National Park. More over, dogs are not allowed in national parks.

In the Sjávnja/Sjaunja Nature Reserve, you can take your dog all year round, but it must be kept on a leash at all times. The Stubbá/Stubba nature reserve and the Sulidälbmá, Lájtávrredeltat and Tjuoldavuobme areas are open to the public. There, the dog does not have to be on a leash but should in any case be able to be kept under control if necessary.

Dog sledding is not allowed in the national parks in Laponia, without permission from the county council. There is no longer a difference for dog teams for commercial activities or for private use.

Your best bet is to contact the Sami Parliament’s information center, which has answers to most general questions about the Sami people and Sami culture. They may be able to help you further if they cannot answer your question.

Mountain maps are available at tourist offices, sports shops and gas stations. There is also a special overview map of the entire Laponia World Heritage Site which is available at the Naturum and at the tourist information offices in Jokkmokk and Gällivare. Calazo also has a new printed map of Muttos/Muddus National Park and Sjávnja/Sjaunja Nature Reserve which is available at Naturum Laponia and can be ordered from the publisher Calazo.

Unfortunately we do not have national park badges at the administration but they can be found at the tourist offices in Jokkmokk and Gällivare.

Finding Muttos/Muddus

The closest way to Mutto National Park is to drive to Skájdde from Liggádammen on the E45 road between Jokkmokk and Porjus. You can also reach the trail system on the eastern side of the national park via Sárggavárre/Sarkavare and Urdávrre/Urtimjaur. During the dry season you can drive all the way to Suolávrre via Urdávrre. During the winter it is also possible to ski from the north from the E45 between Porjus and Gällivare.

Muttos cottages

The cottages are fully equipped with everything you need to cook and eat. There are pots and pans, cutlery etc. There are also blankets and pillows, but you need your own bedding.

Ploughing

The road to Skájdde/Skaite is usually plowed at the end of February each year but look for information here on our website. We always post up-to-date information when it has been plowed. It is not maintained during the decay period in spring and is passable again once the snow has melted away. The roads to Sárggavárre/Sarkavare and Urdávrre/Urtimjaur are generally plowed all year round.

Logi

Prices and how to pay for accommodation can be found on the Mutto/Muddus page.

According to the regulations, it is not allowed to operate waterborne craft in Sarek. This means that canoeing, rafting etc. is not allowed in the entire national park.

If you want to plan a visit to the region, inside and outside Laponia, the tourist offices in Gällivare and Jokkmokk have good and knowledgeable staff.

You can cross the Suorvvá dam to enter Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet National Park and further into Sarek. At the gate there is a door that is always open. The area is entered at your own risk as it is an industrial area. Follow the road over the dam and towards the reindeer separation plant on the southern shore of the lake. To get out on the trail up the mountain, you have to pass the Sirge Sami reindeer herding facility. Close the gates firmly behind you as there are sometimes reindeer in the paddock.

Questions about procurement should be sent to: info@laponia.nu

Contact the tourist information in Gällivare or Jokkmokk for answers to questions about transportation to Laponia. You can also find up-to-date information from Falck Omnibuss (bus) and SJ (train). Boat times are available at STF which operates boat traffic across Lake Láŋas/Langas.

There are many great day trips available in and around Laponia. Check out our page called ‘Hiking the World Heritage Site’ or ask the tourist offices, cabin hosts in Laponia or local tourism entrepreneurs. If you are at Naturum Laponia in Stuor Muorkke/Stora Sjöfallet, they can also give you tips on tours in the area.