View over the landscape at Storrödtjärn. Photo: Naturcentrum AB.
Långfjället
Långfjället Nature Reserve lives up to its name. You have to walk for days to reach the most remote parts, but there are also more accessible fells. Långfjället offers experiences for all tastes, whether you are a fell walker, skier, angler, birdwatcher, botanist, pleasure seeker or just generally inquisitive.
From comfortable mountain landscapes to intractable wilderness
For most people, the way to Långfjället Nature Reserve starts at Grövelsjön. Here you can feel safely embraced by the long open mountain slopes down towards to the lake. Make a day walk to Norway, following in the footsteps of Carl Linnaeus, or take a longer tour to lesser known and remote places!
Walking, skiing and fishing
Walkers and skiers have many routes to choose from. From Grövelsjön there are easy-to-walk paths of a few kilometres, such as the Linnaeus Trail or the trail to the Silverfallet falls. There is also the Troll Trail, made for short legs. Those seeking greater challenges can walk further into Norway or follow the Södra Kungsleden Trail across Mount Långfjället and on towards Härjedalen and the Rogen Nature Reserve.
Lake Hävlingen is particularly popular among anglers. The lake is renowned for its fine charr fishing, and fly fishing for brown trout in the river Storån is widely famous.
Overnight accommodation can be booked in the Hävlinge cottages, where Dalarna County Administrative Board has a host from early spring to late summer. There is also an eight-bed cabin, which is open all year round. The Swedish Tourist Association (STF) has a cottage by Lake Storrödtjärn, and other cottages can be booked via the host at Hävlingen.
Climb the highest mountain top in Svealand
A ten kilometre walk from the Grövelsjön Mountain Lodge takes you to the top of Mount Storvätteshågna, 1 204 metres above sea level. The Sami name is Gealta, which means peak. This is the highest point in the Svealand region, with fantastic views over Grövelsjön, Töfsingdalen and the Norwegian fells.
Flora and fauna
Low-growing brushwood such as dwarf willow, crowberry and heather spreads across the alpine heaths. Along the stream valleys plant life is a little richer, for example in the Stora Olån valley, which is full of yellow twoflower violets. On the open heaths you can hear the melancholy call of the golden plover, and watch the jerky curtseying of the wheatear. In the pine forest chattering and gregarious Siberian jays may turn up, hoping to share your lunch packet.
Many types of old-growth forest
In the valleys you walk between lush birch forest and mossy old-growth spruce forest. Higher up on the dry, bouldery mountain slopes are rough-barked pines. Rough bark, twisted trunks and flat crowns are signs that the pines are several hundred years old. And small, shrub-like spruces near the tree line can be several thousand years old. Read more about this in the section on ancient spruces.
The sharp eyes of Linnaeus
In 1734, Carl Linnaeus passed the Grövelsjö fells on his journey to Dalarna. He noted most things, for example the old shorelines on the mountain which were created when Lake Grövelsjön was significantly larger. He also wrote about Sami settlements and falcon catchers’ camps, where wild falcons were caught and trained for hunting. The trail that Linnaeus used up to Mount Salsfjället is now a walking trail with a general knowledge quiz about Linnaeus and the fells.
The curious Juttulslätten
In the remote eastern part of the nature reserve, where few visitors ever set foot, is the flat and curious Juttulslätten plain. Bogs, lakes and sparsely wooded alpine heath spread out over vast expanses. The landscape is characterised by remarkable land formations from different ice ages.
Mountain holding
One of Gränslandet’s old mountain holdings is Valdalsbygget, close to the Norwegian border. It was used as a command and control centre for the Norwegian-Swedish resistance movement during World War II and you can still read inscriptions on the walls made by the border patrols.
The farm is now owned by the Swedish National Property Board and is leased to a host family who carry out traditional mountain farming. Cows and goats graze freely in the forest, and the family runs a small café where you can sample local produce. There is also a rest hut, open all year round.
Sami cultural landscape
Sami people have lived in this area for a long time. The land in Långfjället Nature reserve is used as calving ground and summer pasture for reindeer belonging to Idre Sami village. This is one of the smallest Sami villages in Sweden with four units and a total of 13 reindeer owners.
Fine charr catch at Lake Hävlingen. Photo: Naturcentrum AB.
The highest peak in Svealand! Photo: Marcus Elmerstad.
Siberian jay has an eye on your lunch packet. Photo: Marcus Elmerstad.
Dead pine in old-growth forest. Photo: Naturcentrum AB.
Reindeer pastureland. Photo: Kentaroo Tryman.
Visitors are permitted to:
- go anywhere on foot or ski.
- pick common plants, berries and fungi for own use.
- temporarily pitch a tent. Please note that special regulations apply for Lake Hävlingen and the river Storån.
- fish subject to regulations.
- drive snowmobiles on the marked snowmobile trail and on the ice on lakes Grövelsjön and Hävlingen, but no later than the first Sunday in May.
- cautiously light a fire with dry branches, or your own logs: Please note that special regulations apply for Lake Hävlingen and the river Storån.
Visitors are not permitted to:
- damage land or geological objects.
- disturb animals or birds, dig up plants or remove lichens or mosses.
- damage living trees, dead trees or fallen tree trunks.
- drive motor vehicles off-road or on closed roads. Snowmobiles are allowed on snowmobile trails and permitted lakes – see map »
- park caravans or other vehicles other than in designated areas.
- use fuel-driven ice drills.
- climb on steep slopes.
- camp or light fires outside prepared camp sites in restricted areas – see map »
Full regulations are available here »
There are also other laws and regulations to consider.
The purpose of the protection is
- to preserve the ecosystems and natural processes and the untouched characteristics of the area.
- to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and scientific research in untouched countryside.
Brief facts
Year: Established in 1973 and extended in 1992
Name: Långfjället Nature Reserve
Land area: 664 square kilometres
Water area: 26 square kilometres
Municipality: Älvdalen
County: Dalarna
Land owner: Private and public land
Nature conservation manager: Dalarna County Administrative Board