Photographer: Christiane Dietz

Sjöbotten - nature reserve
Vänersborg

Discover Kroppefjäll's thousand year old yew trees

Sjöbotten nature reserve is located in the southeastern part of Kroppefjäll. The area is known for its many yews - some of them more than a thousand years old.

In the nature reserve there are different types of forests with both spruce forests with a lot of blueberries and herb-rich meadow spruce forests.

The yews

But what is most exclusive to the area are the very old yews. The spruce trees look strange, exotic. Like spruce forest aliens. But the fact is that they have grown here much longer than the forest that surrounds them.

Two old crofts

In the nature reserve, there are different sorts of forests with both spruce forests with many blueberries and meadows with plenty of herbs.

The yews

Most exclusive to the area are the very old yews. The spruce trees look strange, exotic. Like spruce forest aliens. However, the fact is that they have grown here much longer than the forest that surrounds them.

Two old crofts

There are two old croft environments within the nature reserve. One named "Nya Vännesten" and located in the north; the second "Brännemyr" is located in the southwestern part of the reserve. The remains consist of stone foundations, earth cellars and remaining ornamental trees.

Find the nature reserve

Om road 173 between Frändefors and Stigen, turn by the sign that says ”Häljebyn” (here is also a small sign that says "naturreservat"). After about 2 km you will find a parking lot to your right.

There are two old croft environments within the nature reserve. One is named "Nya Vännesten" and is located in the north, the second "Brännemyr" is located in the southwestern part of the reserve. The remains consist of stone foundations, earth cellars and remaining ornamental trees.