Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, Sweden

An ancient glacial landscape. Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, Sweden

Discover the enchanting Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, which covers a little more than 1 square kilometre near Hällefors city in Sweden. This tranquil haven features a loop on boardwalks that meanders through the bog, showcasing several small lakes, sand dunes, marshes and pines. Parts of the loop are accessible by wheelchair and pram. The landscape is shaped by the last inland ice that melted around 10,000 years ago, leaving behind moraine (accumulation of unconsolidated debris) and glacial river sand. The most common trees in the park are pines, but various shrubs can also be found, such as dwarf birch, crowberry and wild rosemary.

Canada's national parks are safeguarded under the Canada National Parks Act, with a mission rooted in preserving the country's rich natural heritage. Today, the system includes 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves, spanning over 343,000 square kilometres—roughly 3.3% of Canada's land area—and currently covers 31 of the 39 natural regions. Among these protected areas are stunning landscapes like Akami−Uapishkᵘ−KakKasuak−Mealy Mountains, Gros Morne National Park and the Gulf Islands.