Nature
The nature reserve Stenbithöjden is located between Åsele and Dorotea and has one of the largest areas of primeval forest east of the mountain chain in the county of Västerbotten. Today the protected forest in the area consists of 1660 hectares. A characteristic species of the area is the capercaillie. Other animals that can be seen during a hike in the nature reserve is the Siberian jay and the three-toed woodpecker. Brown bear and lynx are also habitants of the nature reserve.
How to get here
From road 92
- From Åsele, drive along road 92 in the direction of Dorotea for 20,3 kilometers.
- After 20,3 kilometers, turn left towards Lomsjö.
- Drive for 13,7 kilometers.
- After 13,7 kilometers, turn left towards Forsnäs.
- Pass Forsnäs and Granliden along this road.
- Thereafter you will reach the firs entrance to the nature reserve that is located next to a gravel pit.
- If you keep driving along the road and turn left, you will reach a parking lot and the second entrance to the nature reserve.
From road 90
- From Åsele, drive along road 90 in the direction of Junsele until you reach Gafsele.
- In Gafsele, turn right over the bridge.
- Keep driving until you reach Björksele, then, make a right turn towards Granliden and Forsnäs.
- Before you reach Granliden and Forsnäs you will reach a parking lot and one of the entrances to Stenbithöjden nature reserve.
Accommodations
To stay in Höjdakojan – Contact OKQ8 in Åsele to collect the key to the cabin. The cost is 100 kr per night and person. The county administrative board of Västerbotten is responsible for the supply of dry wood for the cabin and the wind shelter. No running water is available. We recommend guests to buy kerosene for the kerosene lamp that is to find in the cabin.
To stay in Tjusjöskojan or Oxtjärnsstugan – contact Alban Regnould, 073-822 94 82
Fishing
Possebilities:
– Fishing.
– To rent a boat.
– To rent the cabin.
– Hiking in the nature reserve.
Many of the lakes in the area has self-producing populations of brown trout. Perch and some pike can also be found. A tip is to visit the lakes in the higher located parts of the nature reserve. Some of the lakes have cabins that are places nearby, there among Tjusjöstugan and Oxtjärnstugan that can be booked by contacting Alban Regnoult at 073 – 822 94 82.
Windswept birches
The higher parts of Stenbithöjden are located about 660 meters over the sea. There, the fir forest is scattered and gnarled and windswept birches forms a mountain-birch forest. Northwest of the lake Västra Stenbitsjön is the shepherd’s hut Höjdavallen located. The hut is, however, not included in the nature reserve.
The forests
The firs of Stenbithöjden grows in a primeval forest in the higher located parts of the nature reserve. The forest is scattered and the trees are only moderately thick, despite their high age. The firs have been shaped under heavy loads of snow so that their short, downward pointing branches creates a skirt against the ground. On the ground lies many “lågor” (dead trees). Lågor are homes for the rare mushrooms and insects of the nature reserve.
The capercaillie is a characteristic species of Stenbithöjden. It thrives in landscapes that consists of primeval forests and bogs, such as Stenbithöjden. If lucky, the hiker can also catch a glimpse of the Siberian jay, the hazel goose or the three-toed woodpecker. Marten, moose, bear and lynx are other animals of the area.
Protection of the area
Stenbithöjden has two different forms of protection. It is protected due to its status as a nature reserve, as well as through Natura 2000. Natura 2000 is a network among the member countries of the EU with the aim to protect valuable nature for the future. the work of Natura 2000 is decided through two EU directives: the Bird directive and the Species- and habitat directive. The both directives include different types of nature, plants and animals that are considered to be especially worthy of protection from a european perspective.
