Glaskogen - Regulations

Regulations in the Gla Forest Nature Reserve
The right of public access - public duties
& special regulations for the nature reserve

To protect the considerable nature and beauty values of Gla Forest, the County Administration in Värmland on October 28 in 1970 decided that Gla Forest should be a nature reserve. In the decision, the wilderness character of the area and its picturesque landscape with plenty of lakes and water courses was emphasized.

The Gla Forest Foundation was founded in 1972 by the municipalities forming the area: Arvika, Eda, Säffle and Årläng. The purpose of the foundation is to promote outdoor life. Since 1986, the foundation has been responsible for managing and maintaining all the premises in the reserve. An advisory body, consisting of representatives from Stora Skog Enso AB, the management of the reserve, individual landowners, The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and hunting and fishing organisations are connected to the board of the foundation.

In order to preserve the area, there are some rules that must be followed when visiting the area. It is not permitted to:

moor at a dock or beach on shore property
swim at beaches on shore property
cut down or damage trees or bushes, break off twigs or branches, or split bark (this applies to fallen trees as well)
damage crops or walk on newly planted fields or forestland
take bird's nests or eggs
traverse farmyards, house or cottage property, or private roads without permission ("property" here is the area nearest the residence and its surrounding buildings; it need not be fenced in)
use sheds, wells, or other facilities located on private property
litter or improperly dispose of garbage and refuse; human waste must always be buried!
fish without a fishing license or hunt without permission
make noise, such as playing a transistor radio at high volume
damage fencing or leave gates open
pick or dig up protected flora
enter work areas

Special regulations for the nature reserve:

Leave your camper outside the area or pay a fee and park it at the camping ground in Lenungshammar.
Most of the roads in Gla Forest are open to cars. Do not, however, use roads closed to traffic.
Park you car out of the way of traffic or other activities.
Be respectful to property owners and the local population whenever possible.
Do not hinder farming or forestry.
Be careful about the land and its vegetation.
Leave flowers, seeds and pods as they are.
Bring your dog, but keep it in a leash.
Do not disturb the animal life.
Bring your tent, but get permission from the property owner if you want to stay in one place for more than two days and nights.
Do not navigate your boat faster that 7 knots (parts of Stora Gla are excepted as indicated on the main map.
Leave the area as you would like to find it.

Making fires in the area

It is absolutely forbidden to light a campfire anywhere else in the area other than where indicated at the windbreaks and resting-places.
Always check that the fire and all embers are completely extinguished when you leave them.
Never throw a lighted match or cigarette butt or empty your pipe ashes on the ground. These things can lie and smoulder for a long time before they flame up.
Never throw glass bottles on the ground. Very often, the glass focuses the rays of the sun and causes a forest fire. In addition, broken glass is extremely harmful to animal life.

Flag for complete fire ban
This flag is the symbol of complete fire ban. When it is raised, it means that the fire risk is very large, and it is not allowed to make fires at all.

The Gla Forest Card
The Gla Forest card is your ticket to the facilities of the area. With this card, you can use wind breaks, resting-places, overnight cabins, firewood, dustbins and dry closets. The entire amount paid for it will be spent on cleaning and maintaining the area.

Gla forest card

24 hours SEK 40/person
Yearly season-ticket SEK 550/person, SEK 800/family

[Updated 2012-01-18]