Våckelberget, Naturreservat

From the top of Våckelberget, you have a panoramic view of the surrounding forest landscape. Lakes look like small puddles, and cars and houses appear as miniatures. This mountain is unique in that it faces east and receives plenty of sunlight. The mountain stores the sun’s heat, which is utilized by special plants.

The hiking trail is very difficult to navigate

Due to Storm Johannes at the turn of the year, the trail up the mountain is very difficult to navigate right now. There are many windfalls—trees lying across the trail—and it may take some time before they are cleared. Choose another destination until the trail is cleared.

Two reserves

As early as 1931, it was decided that a small part of Våckelberget should be protected due to its unique natural conditions. Today, there are two nature reserves here—the state-owned Våckelberget Reserve is surrounded by the municipal Våckelberget Forests Reserve. The protected area has become five times larger!

Våckelberget is a south-facing mountain

A south-facing mountain is a mountain with a slope facing south, east, or west. The sun-warmed rock faces retain the sun’s heat. This creates a favorable climate, especially in the fall and spring. Here you can find, for example, linden, maple, and hazel, as well as sweet woodruff, stinkweed, hawkweed, goat’s beard, and mullein. All of these are more common further south in the country and may not even be found nearby.

Plants left behind from a bygone era

These southern species shouldn’t really be able to survive this far north due to the climate. The fact that they are here despite this is because they were “left behind” after a warmer period. In addition to the warmth in the mountain, there is one more thing that makes it favorable for growth here. Namely, the supply of nutrients is also good. Here, nutrient-rich water trickles down the slope. The mountain simply functions as a large greenhouse, with built-in irrigation and fertilization. The unique environment of a south-facing mountain can also benefit the insect fauna. On Våckelberget, this is not particularly prominent, but there are a few rarities.

Visitor Information

Våckelberget has two entrances:

• Lower parking lot, on Highway 50. At the turnoff to the parking lot, there is a road sign pointing toward the Våckelberget trail. There is space for about 5 cars here.
• Upper parking lot. About 500 m past the sign at the lower parking lot, a gravel road leads up to the left. Drive carefully as the road up is a bit bumpy. The parking lot has space for over 15 cars.

Information Signs

Information signs are located at both entrances.

What are the rules for visits during the breeding season, March 1–July 31?

At Våckelberget, birds of prey nest on the cliffs along the slope. To avoid disturbing them, parts of the reserve are closed during the period March 1–July 31. During this period, you are not permitted to enter the marked area, and the Klippleden trail is closed. However, you are warmly welcome to follow the Skogsleden trail to the rest area.

Hiking Trails

From the lower parking lot to the Våckelberget rest area, it is approximately a 1.5 km hike, regardless of whether you choose the Skogsleden or Klippleden for the final stretch. From the upper parking lot to the rest area, it is approximately a 0.9 km hike. Most of the hiking trail is uphill, but it is not extremely steep.

You can also take a detour to Trollträdgården, located just below the cliff. However, this trail is quite challenging as it is a narrow path with some elevation changes. You should also be aware that when walking below the cliff, rocks, branches, or ice in the winter may fall down the slope. It doesn’t happen often, but it can happen.

Keep in mind that the footbridges along the trail can be very slippery when wet.

The Våckelberget cliff is a steep drop-off, so keep a close eye on young children near the edge.

Rest Area with a View

Up at the cliff’s edge at the end of the trail is the Våckelberget rest area. Here you’ll find a fire pit and benches. Firewood is often available in the woodpile located along the trail just past the upper parking lot. From there, you’ll need to carry the firewood up the mountain. Falu Municipality restocks the woodpile from time to time. If you want to be absolutely sure you can have a fire, it’s safest to bring firewood from home.

There is a bench at the Utsikten viewpoint. This area is off-limits during the nesting season of birds of prey. During this time, please use the Våckelberget rest area instead.