Description
The area is situated in a rift valley landscape with proportionally small but still rather high mountain plateaus by Lake Långsjön in Hölö. Grottberget Mountain itself is such a mountain plateau with a vertical steep towards the lake where large blocks of stone form "caves" at the foot of the mountain. A hundred years old evergreen forest with a lot of hazel in certain places grows in the valley nearby. Several oaks that are many centuries old are growing here and there in the woods and on the mountain slopes.
Some parts of the valley centre are swampy. The reserve harbours several red-listed species of fungi, lichens, moss and insects. Some of them like the damp environment in dead wood while others prefer the more sunlit surfaces of the oak trees. During an inventory of land living molluscs that was made in the autumn of 2002, 38 different species were found within the reserve. Among them was the rare lesser bulin snail. (Illustration: Barbara Landelius).
At the top of Grottberget Mountain are the remains of an old hillfort.
Accessibility
There is no public transport to the area. There is a private road leading to the reserve but the last kilometer of the road is for permitted vehicles only, not for general traffic. There are no recreational facilities in the area. Information boards have been put up in the reserve.
The purpose of the reserve:
To preserve the high natural values of the area with several red-listed species of fungi, moss, lichens and insects.
Decree: Södertälje municipality April 9, 1996
The Swedish Government has also designated Grottberget as a Natura 2000-area.
Acreage: 5,3 hectare of which 0,3 hectare is water.
Conservation manager: Södertälje Environmental Department in consultation with the landowners.
Restrictions for the public:
Besides regulations and prohibitions in laws and constitutions it is not allowed to:
- Camp (including staying over night in the caves).
- Make fire.
- Any time of year enter or climb the vertical steep on the seaside of Grottberget Mountain according to the markings on the map connected to the decree, and to climb using climbing equipment on other parts of the mountain.
- Pick or dig up plants including moss and lichens, or to remove trea-living moss, lichens and fungi. Picking berries and mushrooms is allowed.
- Damage land or configurations.
- Take dead branches from standing or lying trees or parts of trees that are lying on the ground.
- Bring unleashed dog or cat.
- Ride.
- Operate motorised vehicle.
- Catch fish.
- Moor a boat overnight.
Without permission from the Environmental Committee it is also forbidden to:
- Collect animals, plants, tree-living moss, lichens and fungi even if it is for scientific purposes.
- Use the area for military training.
The picture above: The inside slope of the mountain of Grottberget. Photography: Bo Ljungberg
