Dammsjöhöjden, Naturreservat

In the Dammsjöhöjden nature reserve, nature is varied and you need to be steady on your feet to make your way over cliffs, boulders and high mountains. Moose and wolves, mountain owls and woodpeckers - the old forests are the animals' territory and offer a genuine wilderness feeling.

Rocky terrain

The reserve is located in a hilly landscape consisting of coniferous forest, marshes and ponds. The central peak of Dammsjöhöjden is the highest point in the area, standing 315 meters above sea level. Thanks to the high altitude and the boulder-rich terrain, there is a stable microclimate that favors moisture-demanding species. In winter, snow is often abundant, as can be seen from the many broken tree tops.

Old pines

The forest is a so-called boreal coniferous forest, a forest type typical of northern areas.

Most of the trees here are just over a hundred years old, but there are also pines that are 200-300 years old. There are also a few giant spruces. One spruce trunk was measured at a circumference of 205 cm at breast height!

Large aspens

Some old, large aspen trees grow in crevice valleys and steep slopes. Nesting holes are often visible on the trunks, and both owls and woodpeckers thrive in these trees. Aspens are important for several unusual species, such as the lung lichen. When wet, this lichen turns bright green, whereas when dry it is grayish or brownish green.

Wolf forest

Here in the reserve you have the chance to hear wolves howling. For several years, we have known that a wolf family has lived in the area. Just like us humans, wolves like to live in long-term family relationships. However, the chance of seeing a wolf is small, they are more afraid of you than you are of them. But keep an eye out for droppings with coarse moose hair or bone fragments in them, as they are likely to come from a wolf. Carcasses of moose and deer are also typical tracks.