Vargavidderna, Naturreservat

Vargavidderna Nature Reserve is one of Örebro county’s larger reserves with a wilderness feeling. Here in the border country between Närke and Västergötland, vast swamps spread out, surrounded by large boulder natural forests and the nutrient-poor Gryten lake. If you enjoy bird watching a visit to the viewing tower between the marshes is recommended.

Vargavidderna comprises not just open water and wetlands but is surrounded by large forested areas with trees over 100 years old. Vargavidderna provides a mosaic of different forest types. From swamp forest around the wetlands to the rosemary-scented pine forest on the peatlands, and well-kept coniferous forest on the fast ground. In the forests there are plenty of old but also dead and dying trees, which in their turn are home to a variety of fungi, lichens and insects. Species that have difficulty surviving in a modern cultivated forest. While hiking through the forest look out for orchids such as the white-flowered creeping lady’s tresses and the mythical ghost orchid. And be sure to listen to the forest’s rich and varied animal life. In the forest bird chorus, the screeching, doom-filled cry of the sparrow crow is often heard. On an early spring morning you may hear the boreal owl’s hooting song. Both wolves and lynxes regularly move through the reserve.

Access

From the car park two marked paths lead out into the reserve. One path leads round Lake Gryten and the other on to a viewing tower and rest spot by the extensive marshland. Prepared fire pits can be found both by the viewing tower and by the lake beach.

Is there firewood?

Wood is available by the fire pits. Burn the wood in moderation, so that there is sufficient for future guests. The wood is replenished regularly but we cannot always guarantee availability. To be sure to be able to make a fire – bring your own wood. It is not permitted to burn sticks and branches from the forest in the reserve.

About the gravel road to the reserve

Note that active forestry is being carried out outside the nature reserve, with heavy vehicles that can severely affect the surface of the road. Rutted road surfaces and protruding stones can therefor occur. The landowner Sveaskog maintains the road with coarse road gravel at regular intervals. Because the road is principally for forestry use it is not maintained to the same standard as the public road network. As a car-driving visitor you yourself must decide if you and your vehicle can manage the trip to the nature reserve without damage or getting stuck.