Bear Tracking Project, Northern Sweden

Sånfjället National Park is a unique and beautiful area situated in Härjedalen, Sweden's highest county.  With its 1,277.77 metres, Sånfjället rises majestically above the surrounding forests and its familiar silhouette is visible from most parts of the region. The mountain is surrounded mainly by sparse pine forests with lichen ground cover, but there are also sections of primeval spruce forest and plenty of fragrant marshes.  The stream ravines close to the mountain have a rich and colourful flora, with an abundance of the high-altitude plants such as alpine blue sow thistle and Norwegian angelica.  Higher up the slopes the mountain birch forest gives way to heaths, and as you near the top, the landscape turns into a sea of boulders where virtually every single rock is covered in beautiful yellow-green map lichen.

 

Sånfjället is bear country and the area has the highest density of bears in Sweden.  Other large wild animals include elk and lynx, and the occasional wolf and wolverine.  Some years the Norway lemming population is very high, providing pleasant company for hikers.  Sånfjället also has rich birdlife - you are likely to catch a glimpse of rough-legged buzzard, golden eagle and osprey.

 

Sånfjället national park and the adjacent nature reserves offer unique opportunities for exciting and enriching activities.

 

A small part of the Sånfjället mountain was designated as a national park as long ago as 1909, and was one of the first in Europe.  There was a desire to preserve a forest and mountain area in the southern mountain range and Sånfjället was chosen because its lichen-covered heaths were relatively undamaged by reindeer's grazing and trampling.  Another reason was a need to protect the area's bear population, which was very small at the time.  In 1984, the national park was extended from 27 to 104 km2, encompassing the entire mountain plateau and a significant part of the surrounding forest.

Bears

The mountain is famous for its thriving bear population and the bear is what makes Sånfjället special.  The bears live mainly in the area at the foot of the mountain but in the late summer and autumn they move up to the berry grounds on the south and southeast slopes to fatten up for winter.  Bear tracks are quite common and easy to see for an attentive hiker.  Look for droppings, paw prints, disturbed anthills and scratch marks on trees.  The bear is an omnivore and therefore is rarely short of food. The bear is generally a peaceful animal, and is often more scared of you than you of them!  Don't confuse the bear found here with the Grizzly Bear whose reputation can give people the wrong impression about bears.  The only incident that occurred with a bear in this region was in 1909 when an old woman hit the bear on the head with a broomstick!   Nonetheless, more details on how to behave should you meet a bear will be discussed when you arrive.  In general though, if you see a bear, it will be from a distance!

 

During the months of August and September, the days are still very light and you can be bear viewing and tracking until midnight, in particular for August.  The deciduous parts of the forest start to turn yellow and red and the autumn air sets in. Snow only comes in October and stays until end April, early May - (some of the photos on the site are taken in April when snow was still lying in places).  Temperatures in August and September can range from 10 up to 20 degrees and it can feel pleasantly warm, although it can rain too!  Good hiking, outdoor clothes are needed.

 

If you are interested in joining this project, you will need to fill out the online application form (you can also print it out and send it to us by post) – to secure a placement on the project, please complete and submit the form and your deposit of £150.  If for some reason, your application is declined, we would reimburse this deposit fully.  However for those who are accepted, the full amount needs to be paid one month before departure.  Once the full sum is paid, you will receive a pre-departure package with all detailed information on your project, suggested items to bring etc.  If you apply as a family or as a group, please email me at Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for specific details/procedures.