Spring at Baljåsen nature reserve

Finally, some spring and warmth came. The Easter weekend was spent in the cabin between Åmål and Säffle and we took the opportunity to take another day trip Baljåsen nature reserve in Edsleskog. It is easy to think that Dalsland is a flat landscape, but here it can all be unexpectedly hilly along the hiking trails. It's not the first time we let ourselves be surprised, Even our adventure in Elofsbyn some time ago was steeper than we had anticipated.

We started our tour at Petersburg's Hembygdsgård where there is a car park with an information sign and tour maps that you can take with you. By all means, don't miss looking around the croft and read about the people who lived there.
There are a number of different trails that are only a few kilometers long, but there is also a longer circuit, the Orsbergsleden, which is about 1 mile of heavily hilly trail and which transitions to the next nature reserve, Orsberget. It was actually this one we aimed for, but it was still quite icy and slippery in the forest, so we took a couple of shorter rounds instead. The trails are well signposted and in decent condition, with the exception of a staircase down the side of the mountain that had collapsed. On the trail towards the top, however, there was a sign stating that work is in progress to fix the trails, towards the end of spring the trails will probably be in top condition again.

Along the way we saw lots of strangely growing trees, the trunk had sort of formed a loop or knot before it stretched further upwards. We found no explanation as to why the trees grew this way, perhaps it is as simple as that there was no active forestry here and that the trees grew freely? Anyway, it looked funny, you can't help but wonder if the tubers are growing sugar drink or something else exciting? 🙂 Speaking of Astrid Lindgren, by the way, Baljåsen is right near Ronja-land, the Sörknatten nature reserve, where Ronja Rövardotter was filmed.

The path to the ridge runs in varied nature along small streams, in deep forest and up to beautiful heights. Up on the 301 meter high peak you have a beautiful view of the water. There is also a small overnight cabin and a rest area perfect for a coffee break. At this time of year the landscape is naturally a bit barren but within just a couple of weeks it will start to crack up, even orchids grow here in the summertime.

Simply a pleasant day trip in beautiful surroundings. There are many different routes here and there are plenty of tips on rounds, both on the web and on site near Petersburg. We never got up to Orsberget, so we'll have to save that for the summer. It should be a heavily hilly trail with both cliffs and deep valleys, but where the reward is beautiful views of forest and water.