Norra Mora Vildmark, Naturreservat

The Norra Mora Wilderness features vast open spaces, unspoiled marshlands, and beautiful old-growth forests reminiscent of primeval woods. The area offers wilderness experiences that are truly out of the ordinary.

Visitor Information

Directions

The Norra Mora Wilderness is located just over 5 mil north of Mora. Take Highway 70 north and turn right at Rot onto Klittenvägen. About 3 mil north of Rot, following Road 1029 toward Lillhärdal, you’ll reach the boundary of the nature reserve.

Parking

There is a small parking lot 4 km north of Kölkojan, just north of the road leading to the transmission tower. There is a road sign here that reads “692 möh.” This parking lot is plowed even in winter.

If you turn off at Kräckelbäcken onto the road heading east, you’ll find two parking lots 4 km further on. These are also plowed in winter. A summer trail leads from here into the area.

Hiking Suggestions

If you’d like to take the hiking trail to Skuråsen in the summer, park at the location indicated above. The trail begins at the sign and is 11 km one way. It passes a wind shelter and runs through both the Norra Mora Wilderness and the Våmhuskölen Nature Reserve.

Birds in the Marshes and Forests

The birdlife in the area includes species found in both marshes and forests. Here you’ll find both marshland birds—such as the yellow wagtail, the common sandpiper, and the little curlew—and old-growth forest species—such as the Siberian jay, the pine grosbeak, and the golden eagle. Vegetation is sparse due to the barren conditions, but the rare wolf lichen adorns many dead trees in the marshes.

An Old Meeting Place

It’s hard to believe today, but this area was once bustling with activity. The area has been used for marsh haymaking, bog iron mining, summer pasture farming, and hunting. Of particular interest is that the former winter market town of Jämtmot was, by all accounts, located within this area. Here, people from Jämtland, Dalarna, and Norway gathered to trade. At the border with Härjedalen and Älvdalen lies the legendary Korskälla, which is said to be located along the ancient pilgrimage route to Nidaros.

Conservation and Use of Nature

The protection of the area means that the forest will be allowed to age naturally without human intervention. Today, the forest consists of trees of varying ages but remains largely untouched by modern forestry practices. Hunting in the area is highly valued and will not be affected by the establishment of the nature reserve. Snowmobile traffic will be limited to the Orsa-Lillhärdal trail that passes through the area.

It is particularly gratifying that the nature reserve has been established through good and constructive cooperation between authorities and landowners. It is a good example of how dialogue can lead to a balance between conservation and use that is beneficial to both parties.

Norra Mora Vildmark may be the nature reserve in the country that affects the most landowners. This is because a large proportion of property owners in the parishes of Mora and Våmhus are affected by the communal forests included in the reserve. The communal forests will continue to remain as landowners.

Many reserves together form a large wilderness area

Norra Mora Vildmark is part of a large, contiguous cluster of nature reserves in northern Mora Municipality. The adjacent reserves are Stopån, Våmhuskölen, and Anjosvarden—together covering just over 20,000 hectares!

There are many excellent snowmobile and hiking trails here, but please note that none of the cabins in Norra Mora Wilderness are open to the public.

Photos in the slideshow: Henny Sahlin and Johanna Malmgren, Dalarna County Administrative Board.