Concealed in the peaceful landscapes of northern Scandinavia is Tarnplanen—a place that, while not very respected by the rest of the world, is rich with sheer natural beauty and cultural heritage. For outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and intrepid visitors seeking pristine wilderness and remoteness, Tarnplanen offers a haven from the crowded paths and tourist-crowded lands.
But what exactly is this Tarnplanen, and why are off-the-tourist-path travelers and wildlife conservationists suddenly so keen on it?
What is Tarnplanen?
Tarnplanen, better translated from Swedish as “the tarn plains,” is an enormous tract of land covered with small, shallow glacial lakes known as tarns, with wavy highland meadows, tundra covered in moss, and dotted randomly with pine trees. It is not a single large lake or plain but a region where the ground type varies between mirror pools and green carpets.
Geographically, Tarnplanen is located in a corner of remote northern Sweden close to the Norwegian mountain area. Owing to its inaccessibility, it remains almost untouched by commercialization or mass tourism. It lies within a large biosphere reserve that cares about indigenous heritage, diversity, and sustainability.
A Hiker’s and Explorer’s Paradise
For the adventurous traveler willing to travel to Tarnplanen, the reward is immense. The nation is perfectly suited to backpacking, backcountry hiking, and birding. With no asphalt roads making their way to the area itself, most visitors arrive on foot, usually after several days of walking from the nearest trailhead. That isolation is what distinguishes Tarnplanen—it’s untainted, peaceful, and breathtaking.
Paths that wind across the region vary from easy walking through flat tarn-filled valleys to strenuous climbs of nearby hills with panoramic vistas. On the trails, hiking aficionados observe views of feral reindeer, arctic foxes, and even evidence of the shy wolverine.
It is best to visit Tarnplanen between late June and early September. The days are long at this time of year here—due to the midnight sun—and the tarns mirror the sky in blues, golds, and oranges. The area itself, however, is more or less impassable in the winter, covered deep in snow and with very cold temperatures.
Ecological Importance
In addition to its beauty, Tarnplanen is ecologically fascinating as well. The tans and marshes are breeding grounds for different bird species, some of which are Eurasian curlew and red-throated diver. The flora here is also specifically adapted to the cold and wet environment—be on the lookout for flowering heather, sphagnum mosses, dwarf birches, and cloudberries.
This diversity has not escaped the eyes of conservationists. Conservation efforts are being made to protect the location from encroachment and study its sensitive ecosystems as models of resilience in the face of climate change. Since Tarnplanen has not been significantly altered, it can be used as a baseline for observation as to how northern ecosystems respond to environmental change.
Indigenous Heritage: The Sami Connection
Tarnplanen is not just a natural feature but also a cultural landscape. The land has been inhabited for centuries by the Sami people—the indigenous inhabitants of northern Scandinavia. The Sami have long grazed reindeer on the land and remain spiritually and ecologically connected to the land.
One could discern in Tarnplanen the ancient paths of reindeer migration, stone circles, and other traces of Sami. The site is rich in oral tradition, with humans telling stories of water spirits, guardian animals, and cycles of the season. To the Sami, Tarnplanen is not a place—it is living history.
Respect for Sami rights and knowledge has emerged as the agenda of contemporary conservation. The local authorities and Sami communities tend to work together to conserve the area in a manner that maintains ecological balance, along with traditional utilization.
Sustainable Tourism: The Way Forward
Though Tarnplanen proper remains very unspoiled, ecotourism is on the rise. Few large ecotour operations exist at the moment, leading guided parties into the region with low environmental impact and local community benefit. They are strictly regulated, with fixed group size limits and a high leave-no-trace ethic.
Visitors are encouraged to learn about the country’s cultural heritage, not to disturb animals, and to use ecologically sound gear. Instead of building lodges or other facilities, the majority of visitors camp in tents or Sami lavvu (a collapsible hut-like tent with a tipi-shaped design).
Tarnplanen is designed to be a model of low-impact nature tourism, where visitors do not just consume nature but become its guardians.
Final Reflection: Why Tarnplanen Matters
In a more defined world through urban expansion, climate catastrophe, and globalization through mobility, cities like Tarnplanen are quickly lost to a distant past. They remind us of what the world was like before the machine age—untamed, mysterious, and inextricably woven with human and more-than-human life.
Whether a biologist exploring wetlands, a photographer in pursuit of ephemeral light, or just someone looking for peace in nature, Tarnplanen has something deep to offer: a glimpse of the untamed heart of the north.
The more popular it gets, the more responsibility has to be met with responsibility. Tarnplanen need not become a flocked-to holiday destination—it has to be a sanctuary. With diligence and tact for the cultural and environmental heritage of the land, this gem of the Scandinavian backcountry can be utilized to become an inspiration for the generations yet to come.