Are there bears, wolves and lynx in Sälenfjällen?

Are there bears in Sälen? This question is asked every summer by guests heading out for a walk or to pick berries, and the honest answer is yes – bears, wolves, lynx and wolverines are all found in the forests and mountainous terrain of Dalarna. The second, equally honest answer is that you will in all likelihood never see any of them. This guide explains what actually lives here, how small the risk of an encounter is, and what to do in the unlikely event that you come face to face with a predator. If you’d like to explore the landscape with someone who knows it well, there are nature guides in Sälen that takes you out.

A broader picture of what you might actually see on a mountain hike – elk, reindeer, birds and small game – can be found in our guide to Wildlife in Sälen. Here, we focus on the four large predators and on the issue of public safety.

Short answer: yes, they do exist – but you hardly ever see them

All four large predators have been recorded in Dalarna, and the county is one of those in Sweden where bears and wolves are regularly sighted. At the same time, the mountain forest is vast, the animals are few in number relative to the area, and their behaviour is such that they actively avoid humans. Most people who have been out in the countryside for decades never see a predator in the wild – at most, they might see tracks in the snow, droppings or a kill site. Predator populations in an area are monitored by the County Administrative Board and collated by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, and it is from them that you will find up-to-date information on population sizes and distribution. These are also the sources you should consult if you want to know what the situation is like in the specific year you are visiting the mountains.

A bear in the mountain forests of Dalarna

The bear is the predator that most frequently comes up in discussions about Sälen, partly because it is large, and partly because it is actually found in the region. It lives in forested areas rather than on the open mountain slopes; it is mainly herbivorous for much of the year and is notably shy of humans. Bears hibernate during the winter, which means that, in practice, the issue only concerns the snow-free season. Encounters with bears are rare, and the vast majority of those that do occur end with the bear disappearing before the person has had time to react. The situation described as most sensitive is surprising a bear at close quarters – for example, a female with cubs, or a bear at a bait site. This is also precisely the situation that is easiest to avoid, which we will return to below.

Wolves, lynx and wolverines – the rarer species

Wolves are found in Dalarna and the location of their territories varies from year to year; the County Administrative Board reports on which territories are known to exist in the county. Wolves consistently avoid humans, and close encounters are very rare. The lynx is Sweden’s only wild feline and, at the same time, one of the most elusive animals in the country – nocturnal, silent and adept at keeping out of sight; spotting a lynx is considered a true rarity. The wolverine is native to the northernmost mountain ranges but is also found in the southern mountains to a lesser extent. What all three have in common is that they pose virtually no risk to hikers, and the most common encounter you’ll have with them is a track in the snow or a story from someone who lives here.

How likely is it that you will actually encounter a predator?

Very low. Predators have excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell, and will detect you long before you detect them, after which they will move away. Situations that slightly increase the likelihood include moving quietly through dense vegetation, walking at dawn or dusk when the animals are most active, and being near a carcass or a bog rich in berries where the animals are foraging. Conversely, a normal conversational tone, a group of people and sounds from the path will, in practice, clear the area of predators before you arrive. It is worth bearing this in mind: in the Swedish mountain environment, the cold, sudden changes in weather, getting lost and foot injuries are the real everyday risks – not predators.

If you do happen to come across a bear – here’s what to do

The overall advice from Swedish authorities and wildlife managers is simple and worth knowing by heart. Stop. Make yourself heard in a calm voice so that the bear realises you are a human. Back away slowly along the same route you came, without running and without turning your back. Never run away from a predator – fleeing can trigger hunting behaviour, and you’re slower anyway. Don’t move closer to take a photograph, and never stand between a female bear and her cubs. If you encounter a bear that does not move away, or an animal behaving unusually boldly, you must report this to the county administrative board. Please do read the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s advice before your trip – it is concise, up-to-date and written specifically for those venturing into the countryside.

Hiking and picking berries safely (and why your dog should be kept on a lead)

Most risk-reduction advice is about not taking anything by surprise. Talk to one another, make sure the group can be heard, avoid sneaking through dense young woodland, and be extra vigilant when you leave the path – for example, just as you’re about to pick berries and mushrooms in the mountain forest and move slowly and quietly across a bog. If you have a dog with you, keeping it on a lead is the single most important precaution: an off-lead dog may flush out a predator and then return to you with the animal in hot pursuit, which is the most commonly described scenario leading to an unpleasant encounter. We go through the rules for being out in the countryside in the guide on go for a walk in the mountains with your dog. Make sure you also clear away any food scraps at the cottage – animals that learn that people mean food are a problem for everyone, not least for the animals themselves.

Summary – Predators belong in the mountains

A brief overview of bears in Sälen and the other predators:

• Brown bears, wolves, lynx and wolverines are found in Dalarna – but sightings are rare.
• All four actively avoid people and spot you long before you see them.
• Bears go into hibernation, so in practice the question only applies to the snow-free season.
• If you come across a bear: stop, speak calmly, back away slowly – never run.
• Keep your dog on a lead and avoid sneaking through dense vegetation.
• Up-to-date information on populations and distribution is available from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the County Administrative Board.

Predators are part of what makes Sälenfjällen a true wilderness – and with a basic understanding of them, they’re no reason to stay indoors.