Mela kyrkskog naturreservat

The Mela farm is centrally located in the reserve and is an old hub in Kolmårdsskogarna. Even today, paths and trails meet at the farm. In the past, the waterway was perhaps most important and on the way between lakes Nedre Glottern and Övre Glottern, Mela is passed. The beautiful landscape with its proximity to Åby and Norrköping has made the area popular for outdoor activities. And there is a rich biodiversity to experience here.

In Mela church forest you are always close to the lakes Nedre Glottern and Övre Glottern. Shore forests, cliffs and rocky slopes give a feeling of wilderness. The area's highest natural values are linked to older coniferous and deciduous forests with old trees and dead wood.

Magnificent old pine trees grow along the shores and on rocky areas around the reserve. On the slopes and hollows there are large old spruces. There are also many hollow aspens and alders in the area. The old trees are habitats for various insects, fungi and lichens that are rare in the managed forest.

In the area closest to the Mela farm, the open character of a former smallholding landscape remains. A unique grove environment with coarse old oaks and older hazel is located just east of the farm.

The reserve, together with other protected forests in Kolmården, is valuable for birdlife. The pine grosbeak, lesser spotted woodpecker and wolverine are examples of forest birds that have declined increasingly in Sweden in recent decades and which are given a sanctuary here. Birds associated with the lakes include osprey and Eurasian bittern.

For you as a visitor

There is no parking, but you can get here on foot or by bike from different directions. The Östgötaleden trail runs through the area and you can cycle along gravel roads. Via Glotternsjöarna you can get here by canoe or boat. In winter it is popular to skate and ski across the lakes.

On winter Sundays, the Åby Scout Corps serves coffee at Mela farm and in summer you can rent canoes from the scout association. The scout hut can also be rented when not in use by the scouts.

The non-profit association Melaflotten sometimes organizes activities for people with disabilities, including swimming, fishing and rafting on Nedre Glottern. Participants in the association's events can then get to Mela by car on a road that is otherwise closed.

There are two barbecue areas and a shelter on the southern shore of Såggölen.

Fishing in the lakes requires a fishing license, which you can buy from Glotternsjöarnas fiskevårdsområdesförening, via ifiske.se.

Mela church forest is close to two other nature reserves; Glotternskogen and Övre Glottern. Hiking trails and paths partly connect the nature reserves with each other.

The nature reserve and its facilities are managed by the Östergötland County Administrative Board.