Styggforsen nature reserve

Sculpted by the power of water - Styggforsen is a strange and mythical place where the Enån river plunges through a dramatic canyon. A 36 metre drop, through millions of years of geological history! On one side, the granites of the primeval rock are exposed. On the other side, younger layered rocks formed at the bottom of a tropical sea can be seen.

Shaped by water The ice rivers of the Ice Age have cut into the mountain and formed the mighty canyon of the Enån river through the landscape. Today, a small stream runs there, which once powered mills, hydroelectric power stations and grinding stones. Out of a sea On one side rises a wall of limestone, shale and sandstone. They were formed at the bottom of a warm ocean 400 - 500 million years ago. Millions of years of shell fragments, sand and clay were packed on the bottom and compressed into compact layers of rock. The meteorite When the large meteorite crashed into the earth's surface 380 million years ago in what is now Dalarna, the stored rocks were overturned, and the other side of the basin is made up of bedrock granite that is between 1 600 and 1 900 million years old. The bedrock was pushed up like a dome in the centre of the crater. Wild nature The hiker on constructed paths and stairs meets a damp old forest with rare mosses, lichens and orchids such as purple knotweed and spider flowers. Length of the trail: approx. 1 kilometre. Practical information From the accessible car park there is a 750 meter long walking trail around the area, with barbecue areas and benches. Half of the route is accessible for pushchairs. Next to the car park there is a coffee shop open in the summer. In some places the trail is steep, but there are stairs and handrails to help. Note that the stairs can be slippery in the rain. There are safety fences on the slopes, but keep an eye on the children! It is only allowed to make a fire at the special barbecue areas.