Grytbogen-Kubåsen

Grytbogen-Kubåsen is a nature reserve of about 4.8 km² in Trøndelag, Norway, on the north side of Indre Folda. It lies within the municipalities of Nærøy and Høylandet and was protected by royal decree on 4 September 1981^[1]. It is a forest reserve set up to keep a nearly undisturbed elm stand and its rare plants.

The protection rules shield the reserve's wildlife only in the general sense that the area is left undisturbed; the founding regulation is aimed at the forest and its plants rather than at named animals^[1]. The old elm woodland and the surrounding forest give shelter and food for the birds and mammals that live in Trøndelag's coastal forests.

The reserve was created to preserve one of the largest elm stands in the former Nord-Trøndelag county, a stand that remains almost untouched and holds several rare plant species^[1]. Plants, including dead shrubs and trees, are protected from damage, and removing plants or introducing new species is prohibited, though grazing and picking berries and mushrooms are allowed. Removal of coniferous timber is possible only under an approved management plan.

The reserve's landscape is a forested area of roughly 470 hectares beside the fjord arm Indre Folda^[1]. The elm stand shows that conditions here suit demanding broadleaf trees, which in Norway generally favour sheltered, nutrient-rich slopes close to the coast.

The reserve sits on the Trøndelag coast, where the sea keeps winters milder and summers cooler than inland areas at the same latitude. Rain falls throughout the year, and snow lies in winter, especially on higher ground behind the fjord. Trails described by hikers in the area are listed as open from April to October^[2].

Grytbogen, within reach of the reserve, is a former farm that has been municipally owned since 1925, and the route to it passes the Grytbogsetra summer farm^[2]. Summer farms (setrer) were a long-standing part of Norwegian upland farming, with livestock grazed away from the home farm in summer.

Grytbogen-Kubåsen was protected by royal decree on 4 September 1981, with the stated purpose of preserving one of the largest elm stands in the former Nord-Trøndelag county^[1]. The Ministry of Environment oversees the protection rules and may carry out necessary management measures. Exemptions can be granted for scientific research or work of significant public benefit.

A marked 7.2 km one-way hike, rated easy, follows a wide tractor road to Grytbogsetra and then a path downhill to Grytbogen. It takes about an hour, with roughly 397 m of total climb, and is listed as open from April to October^[2]. The elm woodland and its rare plants are the reserve's main natural interest.

The route starts at parking on the left side of Heimsnesvegen at its end, about 9 km from Foldereid centre, reached via Fv 17 and Fv 7098 toward Heimsnes. Grytbogen can also be reached by boat from Heimsnes. Cabins at Grytbogen can be rented through Inatur.no, and a local outdoor association maintains the cabin and trail^[2]. Motor traffic in the reserve is banned apart from rescue, police, fire, management and supervision duties.

Protection centres on leaving the elm forest unchanged. Fertilizing, drainage, chemical pesticides, pollution discharge, extraction or filling of material, roads, power lines and cables, dumping and buildings are all prohibited, and motor traffic is banned^[1]. Visitors are welcome on foot, but plants must not be removed.