Västanå naturreservat

Experience magical views and nature's contrasts along the cliffs of lake Vättern in Västanå naturreservat. At this nature reserve you can explore everything from pine moors to lush deciduous forests, and if you're lucky, you might spot both the lesser spotted flycatcher and the rosefinch.

A visit to Västanå naturreservat offers grand contrasts in nature. In the upper part of the cliff, pines grow directly on the rock, while the lower part is covered with lush deciduous forest with many of our noble deciduous trees. In the northern part of the reserve, the Röttleån river flows through a deep ravine. If you follow the river, you will reach Röttle village and the magnificent waterfall located there.

Along the cliffs and back through the forest runs the Västanåleden hiking trail, a circular loop of 7.4 km. Västanåleden is a junction for several other hiking trails, such as John Bauerleden and Franciskusleden. The nature reserve is part of the Biosfärområde Östra Vätterbranterna, a unique area stretching from Tenhult in the south up to Omberg and the county border with Östergötland in the north.

Experience a beautiful spring flora and rich birdlife

Västanå naturreservat boasts a very rich and beautiful spring flora and a rich birdlife. Here you can find the lesser spotted flycatcher, stock dove, and rosefinch, as well as more common species such as blackcap, garden warbler, greenish warbler, and wren.

In spring and autumn, many migratory birds rest here, using lake Vättern as a guide when flying. In the lower parts of the area, there are beech forests and herb-rich mixed deciduous forests with a large presence of noble deciduous trees and grey alder. The shrub layer in the deciduous forest is well-developed, and the spring vegetation is rich in intermediate wintergreen, lungwort, and blue, white, and yellow anemones.

During summer, large stands of wild garlic, Solomon's seal, and woundwort bloom. The area also has abundant ground and wood-dwelling fungi, including several rare and threatened species. Veiled puffball, hedgehog puffball, and gloomy bolete grow on the ground in the beech forest, while the blue cheese fungus lives on beech.

Candle snuff fungus, border bracket, and blotched bracket are among the many fungi growing on fallen deciduous and coniferous trees of various ages and sizes, as well as on standing dead wood, such as in willow and hazel thickets.

Magical views along the cliffs of lake Vättern

Lake Vättern was formed when part of the bedrock sank relative to the surrounding ground level, creating a so-called graben. The sides of such a graben can be very steep. Västanå naturreservat is located on one such steep side, making a visit to the reserve a powerful experience with grand views over lake Vättern.

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