Mount Ammarfjäll

Mount Ammarfjäll rises above the surrounding landscape like a steep-sided plinth. The average height of the mountain is 1100 metres above sea level, while the summits are a few hundred metres higher. The Ammarfjäll massif is the largest interconnected high-alpine area, and contains one of the largest boulder fields in the Swedish mountains. Arctic bluegrass (Poa arctica) grows here at its most southerly Swedish location.

The bedrock consists of mica shales and amphibolites. There are small areas of serpentine rocks. There is also a vein of limestone in the western part of Skebleskalet.

The Ammarfjäll Massif boasts a rich birdlife. Marsivaggie, known for its wealth of wading birds, lies just to the east of the Ammarfjäll Massif, in the valley of the Karsbäck Stream.

Suvlåjvvie                                                                                        A mountain with a very characteristic profile, that is a useful landmark when you are hiking between Lake Tjulträsk and Marsivaggie. It is high, at 1352 metres, and very steep on its southern side. You can see the midnight sun from the summit of Suvlåjvvie. The quickest route from Ammarnäs is to follow the valley of Tjiebietgårssa up to the east side of the summit.

Habitat type: boulders and pavements with steep cliffs.

Stabburet
At the heart of the mountains, at the edge of Marsivaggie, there is a Sámi settlement from the late 1800s. The settlement is private, but the dwelling was renovated using nature reserve funding, and is a public shelter, although you are not allowed to spend the night here. A well-preserved storehouse on poles can be seen at the settlement.

Habitat type: mossy birch heath, mesic shrub heath.

Karsbäck Stream
This stream runs from Marsivaggie down to Lake Tjulträsk’s valley. Before it enters the River Tjulå, it rushes under the bridge and the road to Tjulträsk. Stop here for a while and admire the remarkable boulder terrain that the stream has formed. Large, almost rectangular, black boulders lie scattered in the water course. The path that leads upstream begins above the hamlet of Tjulträsk. In winter, the path down from Näsberget is a nice ski-trip. The bridge upstream is damaged, but this matters not in winter, and when the water is shallow enough to wade across.

Habitat type: mossy coniferous forest, rapids, meadow birch forest, mesic shrubby heath, wet fen, willow scrub.

Rierrugajsie
Rierrugajsie, at 1611 metres, is the highest summit in the Ammarfjäll Massif. The Ammar Glacier lies beneath its steep eastern side. The best time to ascend to such heights in the Ammarfjäll massif is from the end of July until the end of September, as long as there is no snow. From Lake Tjulträsk, the hiking distance is 30 km, each way. The easiest route is along the valley of Salvijukke, then between Vijagajssie and Jienjame.

Habitat type: glacier, large snow fields, boulders and pavements.

Marsivaggie
In the last ice age, there was once an ice lake upstream along the Karsbäck Stream, between Stuvbiebakttie and Stuorajåbba. The moraine esker that follows the slopes of Stuvbiebakttie was then a lake shore. From the esker, you can get a good view over the wetlands of Marsivaggie. Many bird species nest among the mires, tarns and willow thickets. It is therefore forbidden to enter Marsivaggie Bird Sanctuary between May 15th and August 1st. The boundary of this area is marked with posts.

Habitat type: wet fen, willow scrub, mesic shrub heath.

Skebblie
This is the name of the pass that runs right across the Ammarfjäll Massif. The easiest route follows the Kungsleden Trail towards Adolfström, over Stuorajåbba, and then along the path to Skalkåtan, which is a well-used pony-trekking trail. A hike up Sjnjurtuoke is possible from both the western and northern sides, and the reward, not surprisingly, is a wonderful view.

Habitat type: mesic shrub heath, dry shrub heath.