Stackenäs, Naturreservat

Stackenäs is a scenic area that is largely covered with old oak forest. The terrain is dramatic with sloping cliffs and precipices down to lakes Fävren and Valasjön. From the heights you have a fine view of the surrounding landscape. Part of the land area and also parts of Lake Valasjön are covered by a bird protection area.

The reserve consists largely of old oak forest. It has long been known that nature is valuable here. As early as 1977, the site was designated as valuable in the publication "Nature in Halland County". Later in the 1990s, several key biotopes were delimited in the area, valuable forest areas that are of great importance for the flora and fauna of the forest.

Lichen on the trunks

Large parts of the reserve are grazed by cattle and have been so for several generations, which has given the oak forest its patchy character. The cows are good conservationists who keep away brush and vegetation and create disturbance in the forest by their trampling. Their presence on the land benefits plants, insects, fungi, lichens and wildlife. As a result, the forest is relatively easy to walk in, apart from the higher areas where grazing animals have not been as frequent. There are several passenger gates that lead visitors into the pasture to enjoy the area.

There are many old trees and up on the hills there is a lot of late oak. The trees here have grown very slowly and have become crooked and weak. Species such as lung lichen, mussel lichen and burdock lichen grow on the trunks. Along the shores of the lake, there is a growth of alder and at the northern tip of Lake Vala there is also an ash forest.

Birds are protected

In the south-western part of Stackenäs, there is a steep slope down to Lake Valasjön. Part of the land area and also parts of Lake Vala are covered by a bird protection area. Due to the sensitive bird life, it is not permitted to stay here between 1/2 and 31/7. In Fävren, which is a slightly more nutrient-rich lake, you can see birds such as grebe, spoonbill, barnacle goose and common tern. Fävren is also a popular resting place for geese and whooper swans.

Many legends about the place

Stackenäs is a place steeped in legend. The most famous story is about the colonel of the Västergöta horsemen, Olof Andersson (later ennobled Silverlod), who lived on the Stackenäs farm in the 1600s. After a quarrel in 1678, Olof Silverlod was challenged by Lieutenant Håård af Segerstad. As the duel was about to begin, the latter's pistol clicked and Silverlod shot Håård to death. At this time, duels were punishable by death, which forced Silverlod to flee as an outlaw into the woods. According to the legend, Silverlod hid in a cave for a while before fleeing to Norway.

The cave is called "Herrasängen" and is located at the foot of Klevaberget in the southern part of the reserve. There is also a bird protection area here, so if you plan to visit the cave, remember that access is prohibited between February 1 and July 31.