Can you see reindeer in Sälenfjällen?

Reindeer in Sälen are one of the most common questions we get from guests who are heading out into the wilderness for the first time – often with an image of Lapland in their minds. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no: reindeer do occur in the mountain world of Dalarna, but their whereabouts vary with the season and grazing conditions. This guide explains how reindeer herding works in the southern mountain range, when and where you’re most likely to spot them, and how to behave if you do see one. If you want to significantly increase your chances, guided nature experiences The route there – a guide knows where the animals are moving that particular week.

If you’re generally curious about the wildlife that inhabits the countryside – elk, birds, small game – we’ve put together a guide on Wildlife in Sälen. This is specifically about reindeer.

Short answer: yes – but not everywhere and not all year round

Reindeer are found in Dalarna, but it is important to understand the scale. Reindeer herding takes place in the mountainous landscape of Dalarna, and reindeer move across vast areas as the seasons change. Exactly where they are varies depending on the grazing conditions and the time of year. This means that reindeer are present in the region and that straying animals may turn up, but you are far more likely to see elk than reindeer during a week in Sälen. If you really want to see reindeer in larger numbers, a day trip north towards the Idre and Grövelsjö areas is the surest way. Furthermore, the animals’ whereabouts vary greatly throughout the year, as the herds are moved between different grazing grounds.

Reindeer herding in the southern mountain range – how it all fits together

Reindeer herding in Sweden is carried out by Sámi communities, and Dalarna is home to the country’s southernmost such community. Reindeer are not wild animals but domesticated animals under herding – every reindeer has an owner, even though it roams freely across the land. This is a crucial difference compared with elk and roe deer, and it explains why the rules on consideration are as they are. The reindeer herding year follows the grazing cycle: summer grazing on higher, open land and winter grazing in lichen-rich forest areas, with migrations in between. Calving takes place in the spring and is the most sensitive period of all – during this time, the pastures must be left undisturbed. Up-to-date information on which areas are affected and what restrictions apply is available from the County Administrative Board in Dalarna and from the Sámi Parliament; this is where you should go if you are planning to travel through reindeer grazing lands.

Where and when the reindeer move

You’re most likely to spot reindeer in open mountain terrain above the tree line and in lichen-rich pine forests, and your chances increase the further north you go in the county. The time of day also matters: reindeer graze most at dawn and dusk and tend to seek out windy hilltops in summer to escape the insects – which, paradoxically, are the very same spots where walkers like to take their breaks. In winter, the animals spend more time in the woodland where they can access lichen beneath the snow. If you’re going on a walk with the aim of spotting wildlife, the morning is always better than midday, and a guide who tracks the herds’ movements throughout the season will give you a completely different experience to a random hike.

Consideration at close quarters: distance, camera and a dog on a lead

If you spot reindeer, the rule is simple: stop, keep your distance and give them a wide berth. Reindeer are easily stressed by people and dogs, and stress costs them the energy they need to survive the winter – during the calving season, such disturbance can have serious consequences. Do not drive up to take photographs, never try to feed them and do not enter a herd. If you have a dog with you, it must be kept on a lead at all times, whatever the season; a dog running loose and scattering a reindeer herd is one of the most serious disturbances a visitor can cause. We go through the rules in more detail in the guide on go for a walk in the mountains with your dog. If you see an injured or trapped reindeer, you should contact the county administrative board rather than taking action yourself.

Reindeer on the road – drive carefully at dawn and dusk

The place where most visitors actually encounter reindeer is not in the mountains but on the road. Reindeer tend to gravitate towards the verges – there is salt there in winter, a breeze that keeps insects at bay in summer, and softer ground to walk on. They move in groups, which means that where there is one reindeer, there are usually more, and they are difficult to spot at dusk. Slow down, switch on your full-beam headlights where possible, and assume that the animal that has just crossed the road has companions still on the other side. The same applies to moose, which are considerably more common in the Sälen area and considerably more dangerous in the event of a collision. We have compiled advice on winter driving in the guide on drive to Sälen in winter. In the event of an accident involving wildlife, you are always required to mark the scene and report it to the police.

Other animals you might come across in the mountains

The reindeer gets the most attention, but everyday life in the mountains consists of other things too. The elk is the large animal you are realistically most likely to spot around Sälen, often at dusk along a forest track. The willow grouse is found on the bare mountain slopes and changes its plumage with the seasons. Above the tree line, golden plovers and other waders can be found during the summer, whilst hares, squirrels and foxes inhabit the woodland. Large predators are also present in the region but are seen extremely rarely; we have described them in the guide on bear, wolf and lynx in Sälenfjällen. Bring a pair of binoculars – they’ll turn an ordinary walk into a completely different experience.

Summary – how to behave around reindeer

Key facts about reindeer in Sälen and the surrounding area:

• Reindeer are found in the mountainous landscape of Dalarna, and where you might encounter them varies depending on the season and grazing conditions.
• Reindeer are domesticated animals – not wild animals. The rules on how to behave towards them are based on this.
• You’re most likely to spot them in open country, at dawn and dusk, and with a guide who follows the herds.
• Keep your distance, give it a wide berth, never feed it and always keep your dog on a lead.
• The calving season in spring is the most sensitive time – please leave the fields undisturbed then.
• Drive carefully at dusk; where there’s one reindeer, there are usually more.

If you come across a reindeer in Sälenfjällen, you’ve seen something most visitors never get to see – and the best thing you can do for the next visitor is to let the animal carry on undisturbed.