Kalvhöjden

Home -> Walking paths -> 2. Kalvhöjden - Nature reserve

The conservated leafmeadow has a flora rich of species. Kalvhöjden is mostly known for the presence of the orchid lady’s-slipper. 1972 the area got the status as a nature reserve to conserve the character of a traditional managed leafmeadow. This kind of farming was used a few hundred years until the 60ths. Then the management has been taken over by the national board of forestry and get more of a museum character. In the reserve, approx. ha., you will also find overgrown parts. Those shall gradually get back the old character.

The reserve is situated on a slope towards northeast. The ground is nutritious with different moisture. On the higher places in the south and southwest you will find junipers on a dry meadow. Here the ground is more level and less nutritious than the parts in the north, down the slope. The meadow itself has, due to the calcium and mineral contents of the soil, a special flora, for instance hawk’s beard, wood vetch, melancholy thistle and the orchids coral-root, moorland spotted orchid and lady’s slipper. A spring with good drinking water is located in the middle of the area (see the map).

© Daniela Weigt

Informations about leafmeadows

A leafmeadow is a hay making ground with trees on it. It produces winter stock such as hay and leaves. You can notice four points in the management:

Clearance means that trees and bushes must not overgrow the meadow and the plants on it. This work is being done during winter.

Cleaning is being made early in springtime and it means that the branches which have fallen down are being picked up and burnt. The ashes will be spread over the meadow as nourishment.

Hay making is done at the end of July or at the beginning of August so that the plants can spread their seeds. The hay is cut with scythe, raked together and piled on fences to dry.

Leaf collecting. In this part of Sweden sallows, birches and limes were meant to be fodder plants. During the late summer the leaves were striped off, branches cut and bound together to dry. This was also important for making the trees more open so that light and warmth could reach the ground.

Attention!
- Take care of mark, vegetation and nature.
- Don’t damage trees, bushes and flowers.
- Have respect for animals. For instance
don’t go near birds nest.
- Don’t release dogs, cats or other animals
in the reserve.
- Keep the reserve clean. Don’t leave any
rubbish behind you.
You will find all the rules for the reserve on signs at the area.

The surroundings of Kalvhöjden

Atikullen - an unusual high located (290 m) meadow with hazels and rich dry meadow flora.
Grovfogdetorpet - old iron- and koppar mines north and south of the reserve.
Borrsjön - bathing place and dry meadow in the northwest part. At Nässkogen, south of the lake, the Sowthistle is growing, unusual for this area. At Svulltjärnshöjden plenty of the poisonous mezereon.
Around Koltjärnarna, south of the lake, swamp with orchids.
Ängsjön - clear water lake with one of the country’s few original char stocks.
Djupdrågsberget - deep ravine.

How to get to Kalvhöjden
From Rottneros in west direction to Gräsmark on the west side of lake Rottnen. At Trötvik in west direction to Arvika. After approx. 6 km, at Ragvaldstjärn, to the south towards Borrsjön. There signs will show the way to the parking place at the reserve.

Suitable times for a visit:
Springtime and summer before the hay making when the vegetation of the meadow is blooming. But also after the hay making the reserve is worth to be seen.

Sunne Turism AB, 41. Turistbyrån, 68680 Sunne, tfn. 0565-16770, fax 0565-16460, turist@sunne.se, www.sunne.info