Ruoutevare

Ruoutevare is a nature reserve and mountain area about 6.5 to 7 kilometers south of central Jokkmokk, right by the Arctic Circle in Jokkmokk Municipality, Norrbotten County. It was established as a protected area in 2011, and the site is also known for the Ruoutevare iron deposit, one of Sweden’s largest unexploited iron ore occurrences, first identified in the early 1970s by the Geological Survey of Sweden. The reserve includes a road to the summit, a large communications mast, and an old mining road that runs down the eastern slope through the former mining area, with broad views over the surrounding landscape from the top. It is notable for its open, easily reached terrain, its geological history, and the fact that the old iron mining at Ruoutevare is considered by the county administrative board to be possibly the first known iron extraction in Sweden. There are no standard visiting hours; it is accessible year-round, and winter access is maintained on the road, with hiking, camping, berry-picking, and mushroom-picking permitted.