Alntorps Storskog, Naturreservat

The Alntorps Storskog nature reserve is a magical old forest just east of Nora. Bergslagsleden passes through the reserve.

Unaffected forest

Alntorp's large forest is an approximately 80-year-old pine-dominated natural forest with a large number of late-growing trees. Characteristic of the trees in the reserve is that they are unusually tall. There are also rocky areas and boulder fields with sparse untouched pine forest. These pines are between 150 and 180 years old, but there are also some even older specimens. A short stretch of the Bergslagsleden trail runs through the reserve. Close to the Bergslagsleden trail, a stream valley runs through the reserve, where aspen and birch trees of great age grow. There are also coniferous swamp forests and springs in this stream valley.

Rare species

There are several rare species in the reserve that prefer unaffected natural forest with many conifers. Some examples of fungi are the pine tick, woolly tick and scented mushroom. There are also plenty of lichens, the most common of which are bearded lichen and spiny lichen. Three-toed woodpeckers and wolverines occur in the reserve, and if you are lucky you may see capercaillie.

Farmed land with a long history

In the past, the area was used to cut coal to produce charcoal to be used as fuel in the local ironworks. This was an important part of the iron-making process and was common in Bergslagen until the first half of the 20th century. Since then, most of the ironworks have closed down, and the production of charcoal has ceased. In the reserve today, traces of the charcoal kilns can be found in the form of charcoal beds.

Dead wood

In the reserve you can come across many trees that have died. Some of them have fallen to the ground and are then called flames, while others remain in the form of either dry trees or stumps. These are collectively known as 'dead wood' and are of great importance for a rich animal and plant life. Many mosses, lichens and fungi feed on this dead wood, and it also attracts insects which in turn are important for bird life.