Stora Sjöfallet National Park

The Stora Sjöfallet National Park, with a waterfall on the Stora Luleälv, is Sweden's third largest nature reserve. This is the source area of the Stora Luleälv, a hilly region slashed by valleys with the highest peak in the area, Akka (2,015m/6,611ft). The National Park, established in 1909, extends from the coniferous forests in the east over a mountain region of varying height and with varied flora and fauna. The nature reserve originally covered an area of 1,500sq.km/580sq.mi, but after 10 years the central area round the lakes (120sq.km/45sq.mi) was excluded from the National Park to permit the construction of a dam pounding water for the Porjus hydroelectric station. The waterfall from which the park takes its name was formed by water plunging down from the mountain lake of Kårtjejaure into Lake Langas; the falls have now been reduced to a trickle. The Royal Trail runs through the National Park. Shooting and fishing are prohibited.