Huse: Nature and History

The Huse Nature Reserve combines woodland and wet wetlands with traces of earlier land use. The wetlands lie in the western part; spruce, pine and aspen trees grow in the woodland. Alongside the natural environment, historical forms of land use are another topic: they range from earlier grazing to the mowing of small wetland areas. Archaeological traces can also be found nearby.

Woodland, wetlands and calcareous water

Wet wetlands lie in the western part of the Huse Nature Reserve. Their water is very rich in lime. Calcareous soil and moving groundwater create conditions in the reserve for species that indicate calcareous soils. The term refers to the relationship between certain species and calcareous site conditions. Spruce, pine and aspen trees grow in the woodland. Species found in the reserve include Kranshaksmossa, Blå taggsvamp, Vispstarr and Kransrams; orchids and rare fungi also grow there.

Land use and landscape history

A historical map from the 1838 Laga skifte records shows that most of the Huse Nature Reserve was used as pasture at the time. The small wetlands were once mown with a scythe; this practice is known as Myrslåtter. The two references differ in scale: the map documents the use of most of the area, while the mowing specifically concerned small wetland areas. Livestock belonging to a Fäbod, a Swedish summer pasture farm, also grazed in the area of the present-day nature reserve. The earlier grazing helped certain plants and fungi to thrive there.

Church building and predecessor site

Häggenås kyrka offers another perspective on the area's cultural history. The present church was completed in 1837; it was designed by master builder Lars David Geting and architect Samuel Enander of the Överintendentsämbetet. It stands on a slope below the village of Österåsen and offers views across the wooded landscape. A few hundred metres to the north are the ruins of its medieval predecessor church, along with associated timber-built barns and storehouses. The present building and the ruins thus point to two successive church sites.

Archaeological traces

Near Huse is an area described as unique, with trapping pits. It comprises about 350 pits and extends for up to 15 kilometres. Trapping pits were already used as a hunting method in the surrounding area during the Iron Age.

Getting there and directions

The Huse Nature Reserve can be reached from the E45. Follow the E45 north of Östersund, turn towards Häggenås, then turn left towards Huse and Grötom. After about five kilometres, the reserve is on the right-hand side of the road. Directions may change; check the route locally before setting out. The road beyond the village of Huse may be closed by a barrier; this can vary seasonally or due to operational circumstances. Therefore, also check the current barrier status before setting out. There is an information board in the reserve.

For the broader travel overview: Lit.