Norra Sytertoppen
1,768 m
Sweden
- Elevation
- 1,768 m
- Prominence
- 1,116 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Black (1.5–2 km/h, steep and stony terrain) (Destination Hemavan)
Västerbotten's highest summit by a summer path: 11 km along Kungsleden from Hemavan to the STF Viterskalet hut, then 14 km and 950 m of ascent there and back over heath, boulder fields and a steep snow patch onto the west ridge, which leads east to a large summit cairn.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 17.5 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,490 m
- −199 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,768 m
- Time Up
- 7h 33m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 6h 11m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Walk Kungsleden north from Hemavan for about 11 km to STF Viterskalet Fjällstuga at the mouth of Syterskalet, or start at Klippen, about 5 km north of Hemavan on the E12, and follow the trail up Västra Syterbäcken (about 9 km; a suspension bridge crosses the stream at about 720 m). Most people spend the night at the hut or at the tent sites just across the bridge over Västra Syterbäcken at the foot of the mountain, which the hut warden recommends. From the hut continue up the valley and cross Västra Syterbäcken by the bridge at the foot of the south-west face. A path climbs through heath and then a boulder field; about a kilometre up there is a steep snow patch where many walkers turn back. Above, you reach the broad west ridge, with large, gently angled snowfields, and follow it east to the summit cairn. A small stone-walled emergency shelter stands below the final rise. The round trip from the hut is 13–14 km with about 950 m of ascent; Destination Hemavan grades it black, reckoning 1.5–2 km/h in steep, stony terrain. Descend the same way, or traverse north and north-east to STF Syter Fjällstuga and return through Syterskalet on Kungsleden (12 km, 3–4 hours from Syter to Viterskalet). Fog is common on the summit plateau. Fit walkers can do the whole trip from Hemavan in a long day of 31–35 km.
Start
Hemavan472 m
- Train to Umeå, then the regional bus along the E12 to Hemavan (also stops near Klippen).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hemavan → Viterskalet Fjällstuga | 11.2 | 488 | 142 | 3h 45m |
| 2 | Viterskalet Fjällstuga → Norra Sytertoppen | 6.3 | 1,007 | 63 | 4h 16m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Hemavan472 m
Southern end of Kungsleden at Naturum Vindelfjällen
- Hut: Viterskalet Fjällstuga821 m
- Summit: Norra Sytertoppen1,768 m
Key Passages
- Boulder field on the south-west flank
- Steep snow patch about 1 km above the bridge
- Snowfields on the west ridge
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest point of Västerbotten (1,768 m), the summit of Norra Storfjället above Hemavan. A summer path from the STF Viterskalet hut climbs 950 m over boulders and snowfields; most people make it a two-day trip from Hemavan.
Norra Sytertoppen crowns the Norra Storfjället massif north of Hemavan in the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve. On its east side the U-shaped trench of Syterskalet, a 10 km corridor of green valley floor between dark cliffs and the most spectacular section of southern Kungsleden, separates it from Södra Sytertoppen (1,685 m). Small glaciers, including Norra Syterglaciären, lie on its northern side, and large snowfields persist on the summit ridge through summer.
The usual base is STF Viterskalet Fjällstuga, 11 km from Hemavan on Kungsleden. From there a summer path climbs the south-west flank to the broad west ridge and the summit cairn: 13–14 km and about 950 m of ascent for the round trip, on steep, stony ground. It is the hardest of the Hemavan–Tärnaby summer summits, but needs no technical skills in normal summer conditions.
Climbing Notes
Plan two days: walk in to Viterskalet (or camp near the bridge over Västra Syterbäcken) and climb on day 2, or combine it with a night at Syter and a return through Syterskalet. A single-day round trip from Hemavan (31–35 km) is possible for very fit walkers. Expect long boulder fields, a steep snow patch that turns many walkers back early in the season, and snowfields on the ridge; poles help and microspikes are useful when the snow is hard. Fog often covers the plateau, so carry a map and compass or a phone map and know how to use them. There is a small emergency shelter below the summit.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Good
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Not advisable
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Short days; hut closed
- Feb
- Viterskalet opens late February; ski touring
- Mar
- Ski touring season; lift-assisted start from Hemavan
- Apr
- Ski touring; long days
- May
- Thaw; hut closed after early May
- Jun
- Much snow left; hut opens late June
- Jul
- Best season
- Sep
- Hut open until late September; early snow possible
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- STF Viterskalet Fjällstuga (32 beds) is open 26 February – 2 May and 24 June – 26 September in 2027; booking ahead guarantees a bed if you arrive by 18:00. A safety room is open when the hut is closed.
- Fees
- Overnight fees at STF huts; discounted when booked in advance
- Rules
- Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve: reserve regulations apply
- Reindeer often graze around Syterskalet; give herds a wide berth
- A snowmobile-free zone covers the mountains around Hemavan
- Getting There
Hemavan
Hemavan Tärnaby Airport (HMV)
- Train to Umeå, then the regional bus along the E12 to Hemavan
- By car on the E12 (Blå vägen) to Hemavan, or to Klippen, about 5 km further north
- On foot on Kungsleden from Hemavan (11 km) or from Klippen (about 9 km) to Viterskalet
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 860 m
Viterskalet FjällstugaHutStaffed
32 beds · Late February – early May and late June – late September