Viks gammelskog, Naturreservat

The nature reserve Viks gammelskog is located just west of Katrineberg and consists of Skabberget's gentle northern slope down to Sikkabobäcken. Apart from a short stretch in the far south, there are no marked paths. So here you can wander on your own in the terrain or walk on the road north of the nature reserve. Viks gammelskog is located 16 kilometers northwest of Åmot and covers 15 hectares. The nature reserve has been established to protect the older species-rich coniferous forest with trees that are several hundred years old. It is home to many plants, fungi and animals that have difficulty surviving in today's forests. Vik's old growth forest has no traces of modern forestry. Those who look can only find a few stumps felled in older times.

Because the forest has not been felled for a long time, there are many different types of trees of varying ages. There are plenty of old trees, as well as standing and lying dead trees in various stages of decay. Dead wood is an important habitat for many lichens, mosses and fungi. Insects and birds also find food, shelter and nesting sites here.

Capercaillie and three-toed woodpecker

When you walk in the reserve, you might startle a capercaillie or another of the old-growth forest birds. Rings of woodpecker tracks on spruce trunks tell you that the three-toed woodpecker has been there.

Marshes, streams and forest pastures

The wooded bogs consist of peatland with a ground cover of white moss, lingonberry and other rice species. The Sikkabo stream runs through the northern part of the area and contributes to humidity and variation in the landscape. Herbs such as wood violet and midsummer flowers grow in parts of the area. They may indicate that the forest was grazed further back in time.