Övre Nittälvsdalen, Naturreservat

The Nittälven is a popular canoe route paddled by many canoeists every year. Most start from Uvbergsbron and paddle south. The sections upstream are narrower, shallower and contain more rapids.

Nature reserves in Nittälvsdalen

A large, continuous wilderness area with many nature reserves extends along the Nittälven river.

Unregulated river

The Nittälven is one of the few completely unregulated rivers in our county. This means that the area's habitats are unique, including the herb-rich spruce forests that line the river banks. The Nittälvsdalen valley has long been known for its natural beauty and its great natural values. The nature in the valley is a mosaic of natural forests with deciduous trees, moorland forests, mainland meadows, floodplain meadows, marshes and shore meadows (so-called ranings). Both woodpeckers and forest birds, such as the wolverine, find good areas to live in here. There are good nesting opportunities for barn owls, woodland birds and woodpeckers.

Traces of hay harvesting and rafting

At the abandoned Staggen croft, the mountain holly grows in several places. It is a northern flowering plant, common in mountain birch forests, which here is at its southern limit of distribution in Sweden. The moist slope is also home to southern species such as oxeye daisy, under-violet and goldenrod. The haymaking flower and meadowsweet show that these are old mown meadows. Traces of beavers can be seen near the river. The valley has been used for a long time by the local population for meadow mowing at the edge of the river. Remains of old hay barns can still be seen in the area. For a couple of hundred years, the Nittälven was used for floating timber during the spring flood. In order for the logs to float easily, the river was cleared of protruding stones. A large part of the river has been restored by returning stones and gravel to the river channel. A stretch of the river north of Bottenbo has been abandoned and there you can still see clear floating remains.

Endangered species

The area is home to a large number of animals and plants that are linked to the disappearing natural primeval forest. Many of these are threatened by modern forestry practices, efficiency and high demands for economic profit. Among these threatened species found in the reserve are: violet-gray thorn lichen, a shrub lichen found entangled in the branches of old spruces, rose thistle, a fungus that feeds on dead lying spruces, the beetles large flatworm and small flatworm, which live in the wood of dead trees and on ticks. Among birds, the three-toed woodpecker is particularly threatened by the declining area of older spruce forests in the country. So far, it can be found in the Upper Nittälven Valley.

Internationally valuable Ramsar site

Sweden has designated the Nittälven River as a Ramsar site, which includes the Upper Nittälven Valley Nature Reserve. The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement aimed at achieving the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Among other things, the countries that have signed the convention must designate the most valuable wetland and aquatic environments in the country as Ramsar sites and ensure that they are preserved.

Accessibility

A marked trail runs along both sides of the river in the reserve. At the parking lot there is a rest area with a fireplace.

Is there firewood?

Firewood is available at the fireplace. Remember to burn in moderation so that the wood is enough for future visitors. We regularly replenish the wood supply but cannot guarantee availability at all times. If you want to be sure to be able to make a fire - bring your own firewood. It is not allowed to burn branches and other dead wood from the forest in the reserve.