Stora Sjöfallet (Swedish: [ˈstǔːra ˈɧø̂ːfalːɛt], which means "The Great Lake Falls"; Lule Sami: Stuor Muorkke, which means "Great Portage") is a national park in Norrbotten County, northern Sweden, located in Gällivare Municipality and Jokkmokk Municipality. The park covers 1,278 km (493 mi) and is the third-largest national park in Sweden. It is situated about 20 km (12 mi) north of the Arctic Circle, near the Norwegian border, and surrounds the Akkajaure reservoir from the north, east, and south.

The area was established as a national park in 1909. It is part of the Laponian area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also belongs to Natura 2000, a European Union network that protects natural areas.

History

When the national park was created in 1909, the main reason was the great waterfall called Stuor Muorkkegårttje in the Sami language. The large waterfalls at the center of the park were once among the most powerful and visually striking in Europe. However, not long after the area was protected, the government allowed hydroelectric development at the falls. This reduced the visible water flow of the waterfall to only a few times each year and damaged the shorelines of Akkajaure.

Later changes in this part of the park included the construction of a power line, roads, and gravel banks. By the 1960s, the status of the area as a national park was questioned because of these major changes. Today, the area where the falls once were is no longer part of the national park. The lake Akkajaure, which divides the park into two parts, is now artificial.

The park’s name comes from a five-level waterfall on the Lule River. Each level is named after a person important in Lapland’s history. The first level is named after SG Hermelin (Hermelin’s Fall), a key entrepreneur in Norrbotten’s industrial history. Lars Levi Laestadius, the founder of Laestadianism, and Düben, a doctor and author of the book Om lappland och lapparne (translated as About Lapland and the Lapps), are also honored with names on the waterfall’s levels. The last two levels are named after Carl Anton Petterson, who introduced the Stora sjöfallet to the Swedish people, and Henrik Adolf Widmark, who strongly supported the mountains of Lapland.

The mountains in the area formed about 400 million years ago when two continents collided. The sea between them disappeared, and the seabed’s sediment was pressed into a mountain range. Evidence from the ice age remains in the area, such as terminal moraines and rock outcrops that were polished by ice.

Geography

The area of the park located south of Lake Akkajaure, which is no longer part of the park, has the mountain Áhkká as its main feature. This mountain is also known as "the queen of Lapland" or "Nils Holgersson's mountain," named after a story by Selma Lagerlöf. The lower hills in the southern part of the park are covered with fir tree forests. North of the lake is the mountain Kallaktjåkkå, with its north side facing the narrow and deep Teusa-valley.

The highest point in the park reaches 2,015 meters (6,611 feet) above sea level and is part of the Áhkká mountain range, which includes thirteen peaks and ten glaciers. Global warming causes the glaciers to melt at a rate of 10 meters (33 feet) each year.

Plants and animals

The plants in the area are one reason it became a national park. The bedrock has little lime, which causes large areas to be covered with dwarf birch and crowberry. The park also has many lichens, and sjöfallskvartsiten, or "the Sjöfalls' sandstone," is special to the park.

About 400 plant species live in the mountains, and roughly half of them are found in Stora Sjöfallet National Park. One example is Arenaria humifusa. Cloudberry, also called "the gold of Lapland," grows in the park from mid-July to late August.

About 125 different bird species have been seen in the park. Common birds include the European golden plover, meadow pipit, and northern wheatear. Visitors might also spot the Eurasian whimbrel, long-tailed jaeger, eagle, and rough-legged buzzard. With luck, rare birds like the lesser white-fronted goose, gyrfalcon, and great grey owl can be seen. Sjaunja, the largest bird reserve in Sweden, is located near the park to the east.

Mammals that can be seen include reindeer, moose, red fox, ermine, and rabbit. Reindeer are the most common, and two Sami communities, Sörkaitum and Sirka, have pastures inside the park. Less common mammals include lynx, wolverine, Arctic fox, and brown bear.

The large changes in altitude create different types of vegetation. For example, old-growth forests, mountain birch forests, bare mountains, and boulder fields are found in the area. Globe-flower and aconitum grow in hollows, while Ranunculus glacialis, snow bunting, and rock ptarmigan live at higher altitudes.

Tourism

The easiest way to get to the national park is by taking the road from Porjus. The road goes through Vietas and continues to the western part of the park. The best time to visit is between March and September, but the park can also be visited during other times.

The Kungsleden trail goes through the northern part of the park. There are no trails or cabins in the southern part of the park.

Some interesting places include the Count and the Countess, the Áhkká massif, the Áhkká terraces, Seven sisters, and the Teusa valley.

Cabins are available in some areas of the park. If not, visitors can stay in Vietas or at the mountain resort in Stora Sjöfallet. Activities such as fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, and ice climbing are offered.

There are special rules for people who visit the park. For example, it is not allowed to:
• hunt, fish, or catch insects.
• pick or dig up plants.
• break branches or harm living or dead trees and bushes.
• collect minerals.
• drive a motor vehicle outside special roads.
• ride a horse or bring a dog (during some times, dogs are allowed if they are on a leash).
• fly in valleys or lower than 300 m (980 ft) above the ground.

However, collecting dead branches for a fire or protection is allowed. Visitors may also pick berries and fungi.