Bispbergs klack, Naturreservat

From the top of Bispberg Hill, the view is fantastic. You can see plains dotted with fertile fields, farms, and forests in between. The hill isn’t just special for its view. It’s also a good example of a south-facing hill.

Jätteklacken is permanently off-limits from March 1 to July 31

Jätteklacken is permanently off-limits from March 1 to July 31. The reason is the risk of disturbing sensitive bird species. The access ban has been extended by two weeks, as birds have begun nesting earlier in the area. Please respect this so as not to disturb the birds’ nesting. You may still walk on the marked trail past Jätteklacken.

On the reserve map at the bottom of the page, you can see the area where access is prohibited.

Photo: Dalarna County Administrative Board

What can you do here?

The Giant on the Plain

Like a giant, the mountain rises above the surrounding flat landscape. The mountain massif consists of three peaks: Jätteklacken, Bispbergs klack, and Griggers klack. The highest of the three is Bispbergs klack, a full 315 meters above sea level. From here, on a clear day, you can see all the way to the ski jumps in Falun, the Kupolen in Borlänge, and the mine tailings in Garpenberg. The viewpoint has been a popular destination for excursions for a long time. The slideshow above is from Jätteklacken, and the slideshow below is from Bispbergs klack.

The mountain is characterized above all by its steep southern slope, which reaches heights of up to 80 meters at its highest points. The total width of the red granite cliffs is nearly 400 meters.

Hiking Trails

There are marked hiking trails starting from the entrance to Bispbergs Klack. From the parking lot in the village, it is 1.5 kilometers and an elevation gain of about 110 meters to Bispbergs Klack. To Jätteklacken, it is two kilometers and an elevation gain of about 100 meters.

At Bispbergs Klack, there are benches, a wind shelter, and a picnic area.

Follow the Area’s Rules

To protect the natural values for which the area is preserved, the County Administrative Board has established several rules that apply to visitors. For example, fires are only permitted in the fire pit at the wind shelter on the summit of Bispbergs Klack.

Read all the rules under “Regulations” below.

Permanent Access Restriction

Certain parts of the mountain are subject to a permanent access restriction annually from March 1 to July 31 to allow disturbance-sensitive birds to nest undisturbed on the slopes. All marked trails, even those running right next to the restricted area, are open for hiking.

What makes this place unique?

A south-facing mountain retains heat

The southeast-facing rock faces provide shelter from chilly north winds. The massive mountain slopes store heat overnight. The local climate on the mountain is therefore milder than in the surrounding area and favorable for a variety of heat-loving plants, mosses, and lichens. Such mountains are called “south-facing mountains.” Våckelberget, Hykjeberg, Tansvägga, and Tvärstupet are other south-facing mountains in Dalarna.

At the foot of the mountain grow hardwood trees typical of south-facing mountains. The reserve also contains Dalarna’s only—and the country’s northernmost—habitats for rock rose and mountain forget-me-not. Stinknäs, goat’s beard, and sweet woodruff are other heat-loving plants with northern outposts here in the area.

Uncommon birds sometimes nest here

The mountain slopes provide excellent nesting habitats for various bird species, some of which are sensitive to disturbance. In certain years, both peregrine falcons and eagle owls nest on the slopes. For this reason, climbing is prohibited in the area.

Cultural History

Bispberg’s cliff is not widely documented in older literature, aside from brief accounts of visits to the lookout point. The cliff used to be an even bigger tourist destination than it is today, and there was even a café at the top.

In the southwestern part of Jätteklacken, there are traces of quarrying believed to have taken place in the 1910s, when stone was extracted for the construction of Säter Hospital. At the crest of Jätteklacken, there is a stone cairn and the remains of a boundary cairn. The stone cairn is a Bronze Age-style burial cairn.'

Well-Preserved Mining Environment

The Bispberg Mine is considered one of Sweden’s best-preserved iron mining environments. Mining operations were already underway in the area during the Middle Ages, but it was not until the reign of Gustav Vasa that the industry really took off. Sweden was in dire need of money at the time, and the mining industry was a high priority. Until 1967, very pure and valuable iron ore was mined in these mines. Above ground, the large Vasalaven structure from 1889 still stands, next to the parking lot in the village.

Photo: Dalarna County Administrative Board