Unknown wilderness: Rogen nature reserve, Sweden

There are many beautiful unknown places in Europe when it comes to wilderness. Places where you can wonder around for days without encountering a single human being. For true nature lovers, and hikers or trekkers, these places can be a great vacation spot. Rogen nature reserve in Sweden was named after lake Rogen and is one of these great unknown jewels when it comes to wilderness. The nature reserve has got beautiful hills and mountains which are shaped by moving ice plateaus in the ice age, when whole of Sweden was covered by ice. These hills are covered with pine forest, but in the valley’s deciduous forest can be found as well as open amazing grass fields. In the whole area of Rogen small lakes can be found connected by streams.

Sweden and the right of public access

The right of public access means that everybody has the right to be out in the nature whether you are camping, hiking or canoeing as long as they treat the nature with the respect it deserves. This gives you a freedom to roam wherever you want to go in Sweden which is a great initiative.

Hiking trials

Several hiking trials cross through Rogen, there are summer and winter trials which are not very passable in the other season, but there are also the trials which can be used the year round. Maps with these routes, of which some will lead you into the Norwegian side of the nature reserve, can be found on the Swedish tourist information website to which a link can be found below.

Trekking

Trekking is crossing an area of nature with no trials. Rogen nature reserve is a perfect place to go trekking, with its beautiful forests and mountains there is always alternation in environment. And making your own way into Norway without using paths can be very rewarding. Trekking can be a physical challenge, he forests in Sweden can be a bit swampy and with the climbing in the mountains it can be a little too tough for inexperienced hikers.

Wildlife:

The following wildlife can be encountered when in Rogen nature reserve:

Elk (Alces alces)

The largest mammal in Sweden, they can weigh up to 700 kilograms. There are about 200,000 elks in Sweden.

Brown bear (Ursus arctos)

There are some brown bears in the area, but encountering one is very rare. Caution is advised when bears have young cubs, they will attack if they think their cub is in danger.

Wolverine (Gulo gulo)

The biggest family member of the mustelids (otters, badgers, etc.) Can weigh up to 30 kilograms and feeds of small animals but is also known to hunt elk when hungry in cold winters. The wolverine is rare in Sweden with a population of 500 individuals.

Deer (family Cervidea)

Sweden is home to a lot of deer, with the roe deer as the most common one. There are around one million roe deer in Sweden. Other species of deer in Sweden are the Fallow deer and the red deer.

Beaver (genus Castor)

In an area with many small streams and lakes the beaver has the perfect environment. In Rogen the beaver is very rare though, an encounter with this magnificent animal is unlikely.

Birds

A lot of different birds can be seen, if lucky a golden eagle or a sea eagle will sweep by. Other more common birds are the black grouse, capercaillie and falcons.

Off course a lot of other and smaller mammals and birds can be found in Rogen nature reserve.

Canoeing and Kayaking

With all the small lakes and streams the nature reserve holds it is a great place to go canoeing or kayaking. It is not hard to find a canoe rental near one of the bigger lakes and when touring with a canoe there are more then enough good camping spots on the shores. This is a great and unique way to discover the Swedish nature!