Are there any nature reserves or national parks near Sälen?

Sälenhe mountains are surrounded by several nature reserves and national parks, making the area one of the country's most accessible mountain areas with protected nature. Here, outdoor recreation, tranquillity and conservation meet in perfect balance. The closest reserves - Storfjällets and Östfjället nature reserve - is just minutes from the lifts but feels like a wilderness. Together with Sälen's other protected environments they form a coherent landscape of mountain heath, mire and mountain forest that preserves both views and ecology.

Storfjället nature reserve

Storfjället Nature Reserve extends north-west of Tandådalen and offers open, easy-to-walk moors with wide views of the mountain ridges. Here you can follow trails that wind over gentle ridges, where mountain vegetation consists of dwarf birch, lichen and currant. During winter, the area provides excellent conditions for tour skiing and quiet snowshoeing in protected nature, while summer beckons with flowering heaths and birdsong on the moorland edges.

Östfjället nature reserve

Östfjället Nature Reserve is located between Högfjället and Tandådalen and is a contrast to the open moors. Here you will find quiet mountain forests, lichen-covered spruces, small lakes and moorland paths that give a feeling of untouchedness despite the proximity to the ski areas. The area is perfect for short day trips at a leisurely pace, and in winter cross-country tracks pass by on the outskirts, making it easy to combine the nature reserve with active outdoor life.

National parks near Sälen

For those who want to experience real mountain wilderness, the Fulufjället National Park only about two hours away by car. Here you will find Njupeskär waterfall - Sweden's highest - and marked trails from short family trails to longer tours on the barren plateau. The national park is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and protects unique habitats such as old-growth forest, mountain heath and mountain streams. Even further north lies Töfsingdalen National Park - smaller in size, but with a dramatic valley and boulder-strewn terrain that rewards those seeking peace and solitude.

Accessibility and rules

A great advantage of the nature in Sälen is its accessibility. In summer, marked trails lead directly from accommodation, mountain hotels and car parks into the reserves. In winter, the snow and groomed trails carry you gently over the ground. Protection is reflected in the rules: dogs must be kept under special control, fires may only be lit in designated areas, and off-road driving with vehicles or scooters is prohibited outside trails. Flying drones may require a licence - always check local regulations before setting out.

Plan your trip

Choose starting points with information boards, download maps in advance (coverage may vary), and stick to paths over wet areas. Avoid shortcuts through brushwood and moorland - it saves nature and makes the walk safer. The reward is the tranquillity of the mountain heath, cloudberry bogs in late summer, northern lights on clear autumn evenings and the sparkling expanses of spring winter. From Sälen's village you can reach protected nature in just a few minutes, and every excursion is a reminder of why the mountains deserve their protection.

A mountain to cherish

The nature reserves and national parks around Sälen show how conservation and experience can coexist. By following trails, choosing sustainable operators and respecting nature, every visitor contributes to keeping the mountains alive. Here, freedom is great - but protection makes it sustainable. This is precisely why nature in the Sälen mountains feels as untouched today as it did generations ago.