Rautas fjällurskog, Protected mountain forest in Norrbotten County, Sweden
Rautas fjällurskog is a nature reserve that spans across low mountain terrain, birch forests, and expansive wetlands near the Arctic Circle. The landscape is defined by rolling fells covered in trees and open mire areas that create a varied terrain throughout the region.
This reserve was established in 2000 as part of Sweden's effort to protect the forest ecosystems along the mountain range. The decision reflected growing recognition of the need to safeguard these northern forest environments.
The Sámi people have practiced reindeer herding and fishing here for generations, shaping how the land is used and experienced today. You can sense this long relationship with nature when walking through the reserve.
You can reach this reserve through forest service roads branching from the E10 highway, with main access points near Tansarijärvi and the Rautas stopover. Come prepared for remote terrain and changing weather conditions typical of the Arctic region.
The reserve contains palsas, distinctive landforms created by frozen soil layers that are rarely visible elsewhere. These frozen mounds reveal how permafrost shapes the character of landscapes this far north.
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