Ålhults urskog, Naturreservat

Ålhult's primeval forest is a small-scale wilderness. Here you walk in hilly terrain, over moss-covered rocks and fallen tree trunks. Because the forest has been untouched for a long time, it is a sanctuary for plants and animals that do not survive in modern forests.

RIGHT NOW: After the winter storms, several trees have fallen over the trail in the reserve. Right now the windfalls are frozen in the snow but we will remove them as soon as winter releases its grip. We hope for your patience!

Enchanted forest

You have now arrived at an extraordinary forest. The inhabitants of the area have collected firewood and timber from the forest, but there has never been any large-scale forestry. The last time someone cut down a tree here was in the mid-20th century. Since then, the forest has taken care of itself. If you follow the path, you will see old trees, fallen trunks and more that belong to the troll forest.

Mosses and lichens

In untouched forests, carpets of moss can spread across the ground, covering boulders and tree trunks. Sit down next to a boulder and study its covering up close, and a world of colors and shapes will appear. Typical of the forest, tree branches are also draped with various beard and thorn lichens.

Dwellings for bugs

Dead wood is highly sought after by many forest beetles. They spend most of their lives as larvae inside the wood, hidden from humans. As adult beetles, as we usually see them, they live only a short time with a single purpose - to mate.

Meetings in the forest

Many different kinds of birds live in Ålhult's primeval forest. Proud capercaillie roosters that fly up if you get too close. Shouting sparrowhawks dressed in shiny black and with a red head or shy wolverines with elegant plumage. Maybe you'll see a woodpecker picking food out of a rotten tree!