Hjukenåsarna

Hjukenåsarna nature reserve is a part of the extremely long Vindelälvsåsen, an esker that can be followed through the river valley all the way down to Umeå. The beautiful and easy Isälvsleden trail runs along the esker.

Here you can follow forest paths through a landscape that you can otherwise rarely experience. It takes you up onto three eskers, which rise up steeply and dramatically over the surrounding landscape: Åkeråsen, Huvudåsen and Kullen. You can enjoy wonderful views from Huvudåsen’s barbecue area.

Kettle holes

Between Huvudåsen and Kullen eskers, you can see a number of large depressions known as kettle holes. These often occur alongside eskers. The depressions are created when blocks of ice left behind by the retreating inland ice subsequently melt. No forest grows at the bottom of these holes, perhaps because cold air collects there during the summer.

Pine forest characterised by fire

Some of the pines bear traces of fires. The forests used to burn much more frequently in the past, and the species that live here are adapted to this. The scaly tooth fungus is one such species. Many insects also utilise trees that have been damaged by fire. Forestry is conducted in a little over half the reserve, but the older forest in the eastern part of the reserve is protected and will be allowed to develop into a natural forest.