Glaskogen, Naturreservat

Glaskogen is Värmland's largest nature reserve. The area is located in a hilly landscape and has several lakes. There are 30 kilometers of hiking trails, nice canoe trails and a large variety of animals and plants. The two largest lakes are Stora Gla and Övre Gla.
\A wilderness feeling! _

Photos in the slideshow: Värmland County Administrative Board, unless otherwise stated.

Before your visit

In Glaskogen there are many hiking trails and prepared shelters, fireplaces, toilets, information signs and more. You can choose shorter day trips or hike for several days.

This is also a good destination for those who like to paddle, with several lakes and nice canoe trails.

Do you want to fish? Then you can buy a fishing license that is valid for most lakes in the Glaskogen area.

Accessible trail and rest areas

The nature and culture trail in Lenungshammar is a hiking trail that is easy to get around on. The roads are so accessible that it is possible to walk with a pram.

At the new fishing site in Sigfridstorp, which used to be a timber yard, there is now an accessible toilet, barbecue area and several docks that are easy to access.

At Lake Lilla Rämmingen there is an accessible rest area with a windbreak, barbecue area and dry toilet.

Keep in mind that mobile coverage in the area varies and in parts of the area there may be poor mobile coverage.

Information center in Lenungshammar

At Glaskogen's Information Center in Lenungshammar you can get help and information about outdoor life and everything that Glaskogen offers. They are happy to recommend suitable hiking trails, bike rides and canoe routes. Here you can also buy your Glaskog card, fishing license or your Glaskog map, supplies for your trip and other small things. The proceeds from the Glaskog card are used to maintain the services available within the nature reserve.

The campsite is located right next to Glaskogen's Information Center with associated service facilities with shower and laundry facilities. At Glaskogens.se you can read more about all the possibilities at the Glaskogen visitor center.

Between June 24 and August 11, 2024, you can take the bus to Glaskogen, both from Karlstad and from Arvika. Visit Värmlandstrafik's website to see the timetable and get more information about the bus line.

Experience primeval forest and listen to the birds

Glaskogen is located in the middle of the plant border for many northern and southern species. The plant life is very diverse and interesting thanks to the fact that different plant zones meet here. It is home to dwarf birch and willow, which are normally found in northern Sweden. There are also special botanical attractions such as the lime meadow at Gängene, the hazel grove at Kalleboda and the dry meadow at Halvardsnäs. If you want to experience old-growth forest, there is one on the hill called Rödvattenberget in the south-eastern part of the reserve.

Three-toed woodpecker and kingfisher nest here

The bird life in Glaskogen is typical of the central Swedish coniferous forest. Among the birds that nest here are pea warblers, three-toed woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, nuthatches, kingfishers and shrikes. Among the birds of prey, you can mainly see goshawks, buzzards, bees and some owl species. Eurasian bittern and Eurasian spoonbill have their territories at several of the lakes.

Area protection for birds during parts of the year

There are four bird protection areas (see the reserve map below) where access is prohibited for part of the year. It is forbidden to stay in these areas during the period April 1 - August 31, except for the bird protection area in Lelången where the prohibition period is instead April 1 - July 31.

Why the nature reserve was created

The reserve was established in 1970 to preserve a large area of wilderness character and scenic environments and because the area is of great importance for the public's outdoor life.

Forestry is practiced in large parts of the area and you can see clearings. Only around 600 of the area's almost 29,000 hectares are protected against felling under reserve regulations, biotope protection and nature conservation agreements.

The Glaskogen Nature Reserve Foundation was established in 1972 by the municipalities of Arvika, Eda, Säffle and Årjäng. The foundation aims to promote the development of outdoor life. The foundations are responsible for the operation and maintenance of all facilities within the reserve.

The Glaskogen nature reserve is partly part of the EU's network of valuable nature, Natura 2000, with the Rödvattnet-Majendal area.