Malingsbo-Kloten
The silent adventure
At dusk, when the beaver is most active, the Canadian glides carefully in between the fallen deciduous trees and pointy stumps on the beaches. You communicate via signals only. If the beaver gets frightened, it may disappear under the surface for 20 minutes. It closes its ears and protects its eyes with a special membrane. It then quickly swims away using its flat tail as a rudder. It will probably hide in its home under the surface of the damn. It will remain there until the danger is over. However, our shy rodent does not care about the flash of cameras, since its vision is better developed for the night. But, it hears well and has special organs that register minute vibrations and smells when it swims underwater.
The beaver was hunted to extinction in Sweden for its unique, dense fur and so-called castor – a type of urine concentrate that the beaver uses to lubricate the fur until it is waterproof and that is said to have miraculous properties. The beaver survived in Norway and was reintroduced to Sweden in 1922. Since then, it has spread markedly throughout the country. Our stubborn tree-feller is especially active in autumn when it gnaws deciduous trees into portion sizes and stores them in his underwater store to prepare for the bark diet of the upcoming winter.
Beaver watching is conducted in Malingsbo-Kloten's large and undisturbed nature reserve in Västmanland – a province with one of the largest beaver populations in Sweden. The area is made up of upland pine forest and a large number of lakes and waterways. There are plenty of prepared rest spots, with wind shelter and permanent hearths. This enables you to keep paddling on your own.
Naturarvskompaniet's beaver safari starts from Klotens Vildmarkslodge in the village of Kloten. It starts with a solid forest dinner and lecture by an experienced beaver watcher. The tour takes five hours and you will also learn some paddling technique since you will have to move around the Canadian quietly and efficiently. You may also meet elk, roe deer or foxes. It just may be the compact silence of the forest that is the biggest experience.
Follow E18 to Köping. Continue on route 250 north to Bernshammar (28 km). Continue north via Uttersberg to Skinnskatteberg (8 km) and route 233 west to Kloten (32 km).
No 50 BEAVER SAFARI / MALINGSBO-KLOTEN
GOOD TO KNOW
- Activity: Beaver safari
- Location: Malingsbo-Kloten Nature Reserve, Sweden
- Season: May-October
- Degree of difficulty: Everyone is welcome.
- Other facts: The Malingsbo-Klotens Nature Reserve is situated in the geographic area known as Bergslagen. Different metals have been mined in Bergslagen since the Bronze Age, but it wasn't until the Middle Ages that the area grew in population. Ecomuseum Bergslagen is a network of heritage sites that streches through Dalarna and Västmanland. In the area, there are charcoal stacks, mines, smelting works, mills, worker dwellings, manor houses and homestead villages. Here, you can learn about the long and rich history of iron making and follow the growth of modern Swedish industrialised society.
Pocket-sized guide
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