Rennstadsnipan, Naturreservat

In the Rennstadsnipan nature reserve, you can hike up to the top of Rennstasnipan. From the tower on the mountain you get a mile-wide view of lakes, forests and mountains. The nature in the reserve varies from pine forests in steep rocky areas to dense spruce forests where linden grows.

The viewing tower is popular with families with children.

Photos in the slideshow: Värmland County Administrative Board, unless otherwise stated.

Before your visit

It is about 500 meters from the parking lot to Rundslingan. Rundslingan is 3 kilometers and leads up to the top and around the mountain.

The path up the mountain is quite hard and partly steep. It can be stony, rocky and wet. A tip is therefore to wear boots or other sturdy shoes.

At the top of Rennstasnipan (252 meters above sea level) there is a dry toilet, a viewing tower and a shelter. There is also a fireplace, bring your own wood if you want to make a fire. From the viewing tower you get a wonderful view.

Rennstasnipan is a nice destination for families with children.

Dramatic cliffs and beautiful berry fields

The forest on the dramatic slopes has burned several times, most recently in a small forest fire in the 1950s. There are many old fire-damaged trees in the area. You can find forest fire marks on 200-year-old pine trees, known as "fire sounds", formed when the flames damaged parts of the tree's bark. There is a lot of dead wood in the area, which means that many insects, plants, fungi and animals thrive here.

On old trees, you can find rare species such as the pine thistle and the aspen yellow lichen. In the northern parts of the reserve there is mixed coniferous or spruce forest on moss-covered ground with elements of herbs, such as the fragrant linden and the beautiful little coniferous orchid knotweed.

The area has fine berry fields, with plenty of blueberries and lingonberries. In the fall, you can enjoy flowering heather.

Birds and lynx thrive here

The forest with its rocky shelves, old deciduous trees and pines are nesting sites for birds such as redstart, tufted titmouse, duck, wood pigeon and birds of prey. There are also lynx in the area.

The nature reserve

In the summer of 2008, a nature reserve was established on the Rennstadsnipan mountain. The area has been protected because of its high natural values.

Warning for falling trees

Parts of Rundslingan are closed due to increased risk of falling trees. Along part of the trail north of the lookout tower there are many dead spruces as a result of spruce bark beetle infestation after the drought in 2018. Here you should be aware of dead trees that can fall at any time, and especially when it is windy. The trail that loops east towards Skitjärnet and later turns back west is partly closed and this part is clearly signposted.