Laponia is a national park system of and a UNESCO World Heritage site in Norrbotten County, in the Lappland province in northern Sweden.
Laponia is the Latinized form of Lappland. The area is shared between Gällivare, Jokkmokk and Arjeplog municipalities, near the border to Norway. Most of the area is wilderness, although since ages inhabited by Sámi, who continue traditional livelihoods in the area, such as reindeer husbandry and fishing.
The heritage site consists of the four national parks Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet, Muddus and Padjelanta, the nature reserves Sjaunja and Stubba and other areas at Sulitelma, Tjuoltadalen and Rapadalen.
The area became a UNESCO world heritage site 1996. Most of the area had some kind of protected status much earlier.
The landscape of such a huge area includes many types of nature, such as the old-growth forests of Muddus, many kinds of wetlands including the largest one in Sweden, rounded low fells and treeless highland, valleys ("vagge"), high fells (the highest being Sarektjåkkå: 2,089 m, 6,562 feet) and glaciers.
The area is at the Arctic circle, parts of it at quite high altitude. Days are often cool also in summer. There is much rain in summer and much snow in winter. Above the tree line winds can be hard.
The Inlandsbanan railway goes through Laponia, with a stop at Porjus by Muddus and Stubba, and in Jokkmokk, 120 km from Kvikkjokk. The night train from Stockholm to Gällivare is also a popular option. The Malmbanan trains from Luleå and Boden to Narvik go via Murjek (180 km from Kvikkjokk) and Gällivare.
There are several roads to the area, and buses to some of the nearby villages, such as Kvikjokk (from Jokkmokk and Murjek) and Stora Sjöfallet and Ritsem (from Gällivare). E45 crosses most of the roads to the area and leads through Stubba and Muddus.
There is boat transport between some of the trailheads.
There are several helicopter operators, making it possible to directly reach some roadless destinations.
There are several hiking trails leading into the area. The most well-known (you can mostly use just a last leg; most trails described under Do below):
You are free to enter Laponia where you choose to, but there is a visitor centre in Stora Sjöfallet (near the falls) and other official "entrances" in Jokkmokk, Gällivare, Porjus and Kvikkjokk.
There are no entrance or hiking fees, but to use facilities of huts you have to pay. Paying in advance is appreciated (have your receipt), but in crewed huts you can pay to the host, for uncrewed huts paying afterwards is possible. You may also want to pay for transport, fishing or programme services.
Terms for fishing vary between different areas. Check for the waters where you intend to fish.
Do not disturb reindeer (especially not during calving times in spring or when they are moving between winter and summer pastures) or other wildlife, such as birds. Dogs on leashes are allowed in the national parks between 1 January and 30 April, and all year on some trails and in some areas. Pets are allowed in all the STF cabins.
By foot mostly, by ski in winter (or by snowmobile along some routes). There are helicopter and boat services to some destinations.
At the trails there are usually bridges as needed. At some river crossings there are rowing boats. Leave a boat at each side. In Sarek fording will often be necessary, although there are also some bridges.
See also: Hiking in the Nordic countries
There are several well-known hiking trails through the area, and many other trails.
Sarek is a popular fell tourism destination, but is challenging, as you in most of it have to get by without trails or huts. Also the fords can be dangerous at high waters.
Many of STF's mountain huts (See section "Lodging") have small convenience stores. These sell basic food and drink, but also practical utilities such as blister plasters, sunscreen, sanitary wipes, matches, toothpaste and maps. "Parfas kiosk" is located by the hut Stáloluokta and has a similar supply. The cabin Árasluokta offers traditional Sami handicraft.
Mostly you will eat what you have carried in. There is some food for sale at many huts (see section Lodging) and at some Sámi camps. There are cooking facilities in the huts, but a portable stove is recommended, for meals elsewhere.
There are also a few sites where you can buy a cooked meal. The cabins Kvikkjokk and Sáltoluokta and the Stora Sjöfallet Mountain Centre are large enough to have their own restaurants. Smaller cafés can be found at the visitors centre Naturum and in the cabin Ritsem.
Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed. Fishing is also allowed in many places, check what permits you need.
You may make fire when there is no risk of wildfire. Use dead branches and twigs. Do not move stones from fire rings. Where there are old fire rings or official campfire sites, use them.
There is plenty of good natural water in most areas. Most hikers use it untreated, but if you want to avoid risks, boiling it for a few minutes cannot hurt. Have bottles for carrying some.
All STF-shops offer milk and chocolate powder, coffee, tea, soda's and beers.
Several cabins have cafés or restaurants where you can get hot or cold drinks. The only proper bar in Laponia is located in the hotel "Stora Sjöfallet Mountain Center".
See also: Right to access in the Nordic countries
There are cabins (dead link: January 2023) along the main trails, crewed in season. The cabins are operated by the Swedish Tourist Association (STF), Badjelánnda Laponia Turism (BLT) and Laponiatjuottjudus. The cabins are usually open from late June until September. In addition, most STF cabins are open in March and April. All sites operated by BTL leave one cabin open but uncrewed around the year. All of Laponiatjuottjudus' cabins are uncrewed but open around the year. You need at least own linen at most cabins. In Sarek you have to camp wild.
Clockwise around Sarek:
Muddus
You can camp by most huts, for a fee.
Camping for a few days is allowed at most places.
Be prepared for cold weather. Also in summer temperatures can be quite low, and wind and rain can make staying warm a challenge. If caught in a snow storm, dig yourselves a hole in the snow.
Use guest books in the huts to indicate where you are going next.
If snow or fog makes navigation difficult, stay where you are. And reserve time for staying in a hut or in your camp one day more (or several, depending on your route), so that you can do so without worries.
Where there may be difficult fords, reserve enough time to be able to avoid a ford that turns out to be dangerous. Use local advice for the water situation.
Although there are well marked trails with huts not too far from each other, and in season also other people using the trails, remember that off trails this is wilderness. There is no guarantee of phone coverage and any help may have to be brought in by helicopter.
Mosquitoes and black flies are a severe nuisance in summer in most of Laponia, although they carry no illnesses. Long sleeves, insect repellent and a mosquito hat are strongly recommended. The problem is considerably smaller in high dry and windy areas (read: above the treeline).
Primary administrative division