In the area lies the UNESCO world heritage Laponia, which consists of the National Parks Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet, Badjelánnda, Muddus, as well as some nature reserves. Adjacent to the Laponia, there are also the Nature Reserves Ultevis and Pärlälven Mountain Forests reserves.

Altogether, this is probably one of Europe’s best dark sites with large areas with Bortle 1 skies. It’s also quite easily accessible by car. The area lies north of the Arctic Circle, which means that there is midnight sun during parts of June and July and polar night from mid-December to mid-January. Due to the location, the climate could be demanding, and during winter, the temperature could drop below -40°C.

The dark season begins in September and lasts until the end of March. During this time, there are also ample chances to experience the mythical Northern Light. The best time for Milky Way starscapes is early in the season during September and October, when more of the central part of the galaxy in Sagittarius are visible.

During the clearest and darkest nights, it’s possible to see M31 and, if you have good night vision, even M33 with your naked eyes.