Norra Storfjället

Norra Storfjället is the high alpine centre of Vindelfjällen, with peaks at altitudes of over 1600 m as well as glaciers. The highest summit reaches an altitude of 1767 metres. The bedrock consists largely of mica shales and amphibolites. There is a large area of gabbro (an unusual mineral in the mountains of Västerbotten) between Gabbi and Tjutetjakke. Norra Storfjället houses many clear indications of glacial activity, such as U-shaped troughs, terminal moraines, glaciers with glacial crevices, the courses from ice rivers and avalanche deposits. Most of the area lies above the tree-line. There are few lakes here. Summer and winter recreational trails pass through Syterskalet. There are two cabins in which you can spend the night: Viterskalsstugan and Syterstugan. There is a wind shelter at the centre of Syterskalet that is open to visitors in need of a short rest.

Syterskalet
Syterskalet is a valley that lies between the cabins of Viterskalsstugan and Syterstugan. It is a fantastic U-shaped trough, and one of the most majestic sights in Vindelfjällen. Beware though of the potentially treacherous weather conditions and risk for avalanches. The wind shelter in the valley is open in case of bad weather conditions, but not for planned overnight visits. The wind shelter is owned and managed by the County Administration in Västerbotten.

Habitat type: low herb meadow

Norra Syter Glacier, Sytertoppen
The glacier is easiest to get to from Viterskalet. Embarking from the Viterskalsstuga cabin will allow for a suitable day-trip. At the summit of Viterskalet lies the largest glacier in Vindelfjällen, the Norra Syter Glacier. The glacier is sunken into niche between Norra Sytertoppen and Måskostjåkke. There used to be several glaciers on Viterskalet, as indicated by the number of glacial niches. The Norra Syter Glacier today covers an area of 0.8 km2. At the eastern side of the front of the glacier there is a miniature moraine esker. You can continue from the glacier up to the highest point in Vindelfjällen, Norra Sytertoppen, 1767 metres above sea level.

Habitat type: glacier, stones and boulders

Östra Syter Glacier
This glacier is easy to reach from the Syterskalstuga cabin. After a 5 km hike up a relatively gentle slope you arrive at the glacier. The Östra Syter Glacier is pleasantly situated and runs out into a horseshoe-formed lake. The moraine belts that dam the lake were formed when the glacier was at its largest, at the beginning of the 1700s. When Axel Gavelin photographed the glacier in 1896, it stretched completely over the present-day lake up to the outermost terminal moraine.

Habitat type: glacier

Måskonåive Glacier
The Måskonåive Glacier lies 4 km north of Norra Sytertoppen. It covers an areas of 0.7 km2 and runs out in places through a 15 m deep icy crevice into a vivid green lake. The glacier drains into a stream, Måskovajja, that gushes down the glacial niche. The Måskonåive Glacier often breaks off large ice blocks, causing loud bangs that echo across the mountainside.

Habitat type: glacier

Syterstugan
The Syterstuga cabin lies beside the Syterbäck Stream on the Kungsleden Trail, at the eastern end of Viterskalet, between Viterskalsstugan and Tärnasjöstugan. There are two cabins, 30 beds, a small shop and an emergency telephone. Syterstugan takes a day to hike to from Tärnaby/Solberg, and two days from Hemavan. Syterstugan is owned by the County Administration, but the old cabin is owned by, and both are run by the Swedish Tourist Association (STF).

Coordinates: (X:7270574, Y:1519676)
Habitat type: mesic shrub heath

Viterskalsstugan
The Viterskalsstuga cabin lies beside the Syterbäck Stream on the Kungsleden Trail, at the western end of Viterskalet, between Hemavan and Syterstugan. There are two cabins, 24 beds, a small shop and an emergency telephone. In winter there is a small café that serves coffee and waffles. Viterskalsstugan takes a day to hike to from Tärnaby/Hemavan. Viterskalsstugan is owned by the County Administration, but the old cabin is owned by, and both are run by the Swedish Tourist Association (STF).

Coordinates: (X:7309544, Y:1470510)
Habitat type: mesic shrub heath

Tärna Glacier
This is perhaps the most beautiful of the glaciers in Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve. The glacier lies on the eastern slope of Murtsertjåkke, at 1644 m. The Tärna Glacier has melted significantly during the last century, and since Axel Gavelin’s survey at the beginning of the 1900s, it has shrunk by about 500 metres.

Habitat type: glacier