Töfsingdalen. Photo: Marcus Elmerstad.
Töfsingdalen
Töfsingdalen is the forgotten valley that all nature romantics dream about. Here golden eagles look down on desolate expanses of virgin pine forests, lush spruce forests, talus slopes, rushing waters and glittering tarns. It’s not surprising that the countryside is so untouched. The nearest road is far away and outside the walking trail, rocks make access almost impossible.
Flora and fauna
But the national park contains more than rocks. Along the river Töfsingån the forest is lush, including spruce with a circumference of several metres. The flora is particularly herb-rich near the largest waterfall. Here you’ll find ostrich fern, whorled Solomon’s seal, mezereon and one of the great rarities of the Dala mountains – the beautiful white large white buttercup.
The fact that Töfsingdalen is inaccessible makes it all the more popular among shy animals such as brown bear, wolverine and golden eagle.
Life in dead trees
There are many 500-year-old pines, and the forest is silver-grey with all the trees that have died of old age. The dead trees are vital for a wide range of fungi, animals and plants. Töfsingdalen is home to many rare species, for example the bright yellow-green wolf lichen. When you are here, it’s difficult to believe that wolf lichen is a rare plant in Scandinavia.
Sami settlements
Sami people have lived and worked in this region for a very long time. Up until the early 20th century, there was a Sami village with around 40 people living in traditional cots by Lake Töfsingen, just north of the national park. Now, the national park is part of the reindeer pastureland for Idre Sami village.
Getting here
A small dirt road follows the river Storån from Foskros to the wind shelter at Ängesildret. From there, it’s a 7 kilometre walk to the national park boundary. From Grövelsjön Mountain Station, it’s a 13 kilometre walk.
The nearest accommodation is the Hävlinge cottages. From early spring to late summer, Dalarna County Administrative Board has a host here. There is also a cabin with eight beds, open all year round.
Brown bear. Photo: Marcus Elmerstad.
Wolf lichen. Photo: Naturcentrum AB.
Real old-growth forest. Photo: Marcus Elmerstad.
Links
Dalarna County Administrative Board »
Swedish Enviromental Protection Agency »
Reading tip
Hanneberg, P. & Löfgren, R. 1998: Sweden’s National Parks. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
Visitors are permitted to:
- go anywhere on foot or ski.
- pick common plants, berries and fungi for own use.
Visitors are not permitted to:
- damage land or geological objects.
- disturb animals or birds.
- pick plants, break off branches or damage living or dead trees.
- light fires, camp, hunt or fish.
- bring unleashed dogs.
- drive motor vehicles.
Full regulations are available here »
There are also other laws and regulations to consider.
The purpose of the protection is
- to preserve a talus and coniferous area in the southern mountain region in its natural state.
Brief facts
Year: Established in 1930.
Name: Töfsingdalen National Park.
Area: 16 square kilometres.
Municipality: Älvdalen.
County: Dalarna.
Land owner: Public land.
Nature conservation manager: Dalarna County Administrative Board.