Viken, Naturreservat

Viken Nature Reserve is a deep rift valley whose steep sides are covered by a magical ancient forest. Many different types of fungi, mosses and lichens thrive in the moist environment. Above the cliffs of the gorge you may well see ravens flying.

Old forest and abandoned meadows

The deep rift valley in Viken is part of the fault line that forms the steep southern shore of Lake Tisaar. The damp banks of the Ängabäck stream at the bottom of the valley were used as meadows in ancient times. Hay was harvested here as winter feed for the cattle. Today the meadows are overgrown with forest. The steep sides of the rift valley have made it difficult to carry out modern forestry. The spruce forest that climbs up the slopes on either side of Ängabäcken is therefore old. There are also plenty of lying, dead trees. In the future, the forest in the reserve will be allowed to develop freely into a natural forest, where both old and dead trees are left behind.

A paradise for fungi

The sheltered valley creates a shady and humid environment, a perfect habitat for fungi, lichens and mosses. More than fifty species of ticks have been found within the reserve's boundaries. Many are so-called signal species, indicating that the forest is species-rich and valuable. Such as the woolly tick, the crystal tick and the vector tick. Take a closer look at the trees, like a gnome's beard, various species of hanging lichens hang from the branches.

Hike on an old road

Enjoy a quiet and gentle walk through the reserve on the old road that winds along the eastern side of the stream. People have traveled here both on horseback and on foot in ancient times.