Brändberget, Naturreservat

Brändberget is located in the heart of a magnificent wilderness area with vast marshes and fertile forested valleys. The Brändberget Nature Reserve is situated halfway between the towns of Lima and Öje, right on the border between the municipalities of Malung-Sälen and Mora. The area is part of a magnificent wilderness region featuring a mosaic of nutrient-poor bogs nestled between sharply defined ridges and fertile valleys and slopes.

Some parts have been affected by recent logging, but large areas of natural forest remain. Similar spruce forests on slopes, which characterize the nearby Beriskölberget Nature Reserve—parts of which are more or less primeval in character—are also found in the Brändberget Nature Reserve. The easily weathered and nutrient-rich rock type diabase, which makes up a large part of the bedrock in the area, combined with the percolating groundwater on the slopes, results in high soil fertility and vegetation that is often rich in herbs.

The forests consist largely of natural forests of varying ages, where the trees are often several hundred years old. Several red-listed species and indicator species have been found in the area. For example, the critically endangered lichen Långt broktagel is found here; it has been recorded at only about 50 sites in Sweden, the majority of which are in Dalarna.

Although the area is quite remote from the nearest community, there are excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation here. The area is most easily accessed from the roads to the south and east of the reserve, but visitors should expect to walk a few kilometers since the roads are usually blocked by gates. A trail runs through the reserve between the road to the south and the road to the east. A snowmobile trail also crosses the reserve.