Sälenfjällen is both one of Sweden's most accessible and most protected mountain areas. Here you meet availability and nature conservation in balance. Protection is based on several levels: nature reserves, Natura 2000 areas, biotope protection and species protection. Together, they preserve the special character of the mountains and make it possible to develop trails and outdoor recreation without losing natural values. Areas such as Storfjället and Tandövala are good examples - places where tranquillity, space and biodiversity are preserved through active management.
Reserves and habitats
The nature reserves in Sälen range from open mountain heaths and moors to mosaics of mountain birch, coniferous forest and clear stream ravines. The transition zones between forest and bare mountain are particularly valuable - species from several environments meet there, making Sälen unusually species-rich for low mountains. Grouse, golden plover, elk, fox and mountain hare thrive here, and in late summer the moors glow with blueberries and cloudberries. Several of the trails pass through these zones, making it easy to experience the wealth of species without leaving the marked path.
How protection is visible in the landscape
Protection affects how the whole infrastructure is planned. Ski areas and hiking trails are built where there is the least impact on nature, bridges and footbridges protect sensitive moors, and winter trails reduce soil erosion. New trails and construction projects are checked against reserve regulations and EU Natura 2000 rules, and routes are often adjusted to avoid nesting sites, key biotopes and erosion. This means that family activities and outdoor recreation can be developed without harming nature.
What applies to you as a visitor
The right of public access applies throughout Sälen, but within nature reserves there are special rules. You can hike, ski and have a coffee almost everywhere - but you are expected to stick to marked trails, make fires in designated areas and take all rubbish home. Dogs must be kept under extra control from 1 March to 20 August and kept on a lead where reindeer are available all year round. Off-road driving by car, quad bike or scooter is prohibited outside marked trails. Special permits may be required for drone flights and nature photography depending on the area and season.
The impact of the seasons
Spring is the most vulnerable time - the soil is waterlogged and roots are exposed. This is when paths and clear trails are most useful. In late summer, the ground is more resistant but still important for animal foraging. In winter, the snow carries your weight and protects the ground, making winter the most hard-wearing season, as long as you stick to groomed trails and respect signposted zones. Those who follow these guidelines can safely enjoy skiing, tour skiing and nature experiences without leaving a trace.
A quiet and vibrant mountain nature
The fact that the mountains are protected is evident in the experience. In the morning mountain lakes clouds are reflected in still waters, and old spruces stand covered in lichen in forest areas where time has been allowed to work undisturbed. The biodiversity and tranquillity that characterise the mountain environment are precisely what protection is designed to preserve. That's why the rules exist - so that every visitor can feel the freedom without losing anything.
How to contribute to sustainable mountain tourism
Small choices make a big difference. Make your choice accommodation and actors working with sustainability, walk or cycle shorter distances instead of taking the car between areas, avoid shortcuts that break new tracks over moors and bogs, and switch off outdoor lighting at night in mountain environments. Please report littering or broken paths to local hosts or the county administrative board. In this way, the protection of the mountains becomes not only formal - but alive through how we move and take responsibility.