Lilla Älvgången, Naturvårdsområde

Lilla Älvgången is part of the Hovran area—a valuable lake and wetland ecosystem featuring hayfields and grazed lakeshore meadows. Hovran and Lilla Älvgången are of great importance to resting and nesting wetland birds. Together with Hedemora Municipality’s Stadssjön Nature Reserve, there are many kilometers of accessible trails with rest areas and birdwatching towers.
Photo: Dalarna County Administrative Board

What can you do here?

Wheelchair accessible

From the Lilla Älvgången entrance in the east to the entrance at Stadssjön in the west, the trails are graveled and have a smooth, even surface suitable for walking, biking, or using a wheelchair.

The trails are also used by horseback riders, who are directed to one side of the trail.

NOTE! The trails are not maintained during the winter. And when the ice breaks up in April/May, the entire area may be flooded.

There are picnic tables at the parking lot.

There used to be a restroom

The accessible dry toilet that was located at the Lilla Älvgången parking lot has burned down.

Picnic areas with benches and birdwatching towers

The reserve features designated picnic areas with benches. If you plan to barbecue, you must use these areas, as it is not permitted to light fires elsewhere in the reserve. At Älvgången itself, there is a covered rest area.

Accessible birdwatching towers are located at both Lilla Älvgången and Stadssjön. Ramps and gravel paths make it possible for everyone to get out and up into the tower. Sit down and listen to the nightingale’s fantastic song or watch the bumblebees flitting among the deciduous trees.

What makes this place unique?

Lilla Älvgången is part of the larger Hovran

The name Lilla Älvgången comes from the natural channel that separates the mainland from the island of Stora Grundet. The island is located in a widening of the Dalälven River known as Hovran, an internationally designated area of great importance for resting and nesting birds. Here, there is a distinctive mix of both northern and southern species. This is because the area is situated right in the middle of the biological boundary of Norrland.

Several rare plants are found in Lilla Älvgången. For example, curled water-plantain, almond willow, calamus, and the red-listed species bow sedge.

Cultural History

Lilla Älvgången was used until the mid-1950s as hay meadows and pastures. When water regulation of the Dalälven River was expanded in the mid-1950s, the use of the areas near the shore declined. The area then began to grow over with brush and shrubs.

In the early 1990s, restoration of the area began. Now the area is regaining its former character as hay meadows and pastures.

How to get here

Directions

The entrance to Lilla Älvgången is accessible from Highway 70 just south of Hedemora. Turn at the sign for the bird tower and Hovran.

The entrance to Stadssjön is accessible from Road 270 toward Långshyttan. Turn off toward the recycling center at Hamre.

Parking

At the entrance to Lilla Älvgången, there is a parking lot with space for about 10 cars. During the high season in June–August, the parking lot can fill up by midday.

There is a large parking lot at the Stadssjön entrance near the Hamre recycling center.

There used to be a restroom

The accessible dry toilet that was located at the Lilla Älvgången parking lot has been burned down.