Hälla: Trapping Pits and Stone Age Settlements

The trapping pit system in Hälla is 8 km long in total, giving the place a distinct archaeological focus. Alongside its long history, river fishing, boat rental beside the reservoir and Café Hälla offer additional themes for a stay. Archaeological interests and activities on the water thus stand side by side as different aspects of planning a trip.

Trapping Pits and Settlement History

Hälla is a trapping landscape with a long history of continuous use and settlement. Some pits in the system were used from the Late Neolithic to the Migration Period. Hälla has one of the densest concentrations of Stone Age settlement sites in Norrland.

The archaeological settlement site Locality 870, designated L1937:5605, is located by the Ångermanälven in Hälla. Sites 869–870 in Hälla parish, Åsele, are classified as Stone Age and Bronze Age settlements in an archival assessment based on survey material.

Two scales help with orientation: the trapping pit system and the concentration of settlements describe the broader context; Locality 870 and numbers 869–870 refer to specific sites. This makes it possible to distinguish the trapping landscape from the individual named settlement sites.

Landscape and Activities on the Water

Hälla is also home to a long glacial gravel ridge, known as a *rullstensås*. The term can be understood as a long ridge of glacial gravel. It describes a natural landform, whereas trapping pits and settlement sites are archaeological traces of earlier use. As you explore the local landscape, you can distinguish geology from human use.

In the flowing water at old Forsnacken near Hälla, you can fish for grayling and trout; as another option, you can try fly-fishing for pike in the Ångermanälven. The fishing permit for the Hälla fishing area is valid for all waters within the area and for the Ångermanälven at Hällby. Conditions and local arrangements may change, so check them in advance.

Regardless of the fishing opportunities, boats can be rented in Hälla beside the reservoir. There is also an information board in the village.

Café and Excursion in the Surrounding Area

Café Hälla is in the village of Hälla, about 30 km south of Åsele. A visit offers a nostalgic journey back to the 1950s. This adds a more recent period to the prehistoric eras of the trapping pits and settlement sites. Before setting out, check whether the café is open and able to receive visitors.

The Mesjödalen Nature Reserve is nearby. The easiest route from Åsele is to take road 90 to Hälla, then continue along a forest road through Tjärn and Nytjärn. Hälla is a point along the way; the nature reserve is the destination. This route makes it easier to plan a visit to Hälla together with an excursion in the surrounding area.

Discover more destinations: Åsele, Fredrika.

Return to the main travel overview: Åsele.