Mount Artfjäll

Mount Artfjäll lies north-west of Hemavan, in a detached part of Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve. The bedrock consists of limestone, which favours many plant species. The endemic orchid Gymnigritella runei grows here. Rönäs is a good starting point for walks on Mount Artfjäll. You can park here and follow a path along the spectacular Ruttjebäck Stream. The fantastic rock formations in the stream, such as potholes, have been carved out of the soft bedrock by the water. There are also caves in this area.

Habitat type: mesic shrub heath, low herb meadow etc

Ruttjebäck Stream
To get here, drive 15 kilometres along the winding gravel road from Tängvattnet to Rönäs. The path starts at the other side of the bridge over the Ruttjebäck Stream. After a few hundred metres you can leave the path and explore the rocks. Wander about and search for potholes, tunnels, channels and other fantastic formations in the soft shales. The less water there is in the stream, the more the beautiful formations become exposed. The Ruttjebäck stream has carved its way into the soft shale bedrock over thousands of years. The bedrock also contains a vein of limestone.

Habitat type: mossy birch heath, wet fen, dry fen

Rödingnäset
Rödingnäset juts into the Tängvattsdal Valley. Lake Tängvattnet lies at an altitude of 474 metres, is surrounded by mountain birch forest and is unaffected by water regulation. The soils on the north side of the valley are calcareous, favouring lush meadow birch forests and rich fens. The rare, endemic orchid Gymnigritella runei can be found here.

Habitat type: mesic shrub heath, low herb meadow

The Sotbäcksgrotta Cave
The bedrock of Mount Artfjäll contains many calcareous veins, and karsts have formed in some of these. Caves, underground streams and sinkholes are found here. The Sotbäcksgrotta Cave is one of the country’s largest caves, and the most well-known in these parts. Park at Strimasund and walk along the path past the Sámi settlement at Lake Gausjosjö. Head south for about four kilometres, until you come to a cave that swallows a stream.

Habitat type: low herb meadow