Västra Götaland between archipelago nature and cultural history

Västra Götaland reveals its maritime side in Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden’s first marine national park. There, a species-rich marine and archipelago landscape is protected; the park is home to around 12,000 species in total.

Nature

Västra Götaland has more than 500 nature reserves and other protected areas. The region’s varied landscapes include the Nord-Långö and Hällsöarna Nature Reserve. It comprises the three islands of Nord-Långö, Nord-Hällsö and South Hällsö, as well as the surrounding sea; the reserve has beaches and opportunities for hiking.

The hiking trail on Nord-Långö runs around the northern half of the island, across rocky terrain, through woodland and down to bathing coves. Ramsvikslandet displays a different type of landscape, with extensive rocky areas, heathland, wet heath, meadows and deciduous woodland. The area is easily accessible and can be explored on foot; designated bathing spots include Haby Bay and Tryggö.

The coastal meadows and shallow bays of Ramsvikslandet serve as resting and breeding grounds for wading birds. Fields, pastures, clearance cairns and stone walls shape the vibrant cultural landscape of the Logården Nature Reserve, which is crossed by several easy-to-walk trails. The marked trails are 2 kilometres long in total and include rest areas, birdwatching towers and viewing platforms. Lake Östen near Logården is protected as one of Sweden’s most important bird lakes and is covered by the Ramsar Convention. At Naturum Hornborgasjön, knowledgeable guided tours and several activities for children are available.

Trails and water

Around 1,000 kilometres of pilgrimage routes run through the region’s landscapes. For cycling tourists, the Göta Canal Cycle Route is a 220-kilometre national cycling route; one endpoint is near Sjötorp or Mariestad on Lake Vänern. The route is classified according to quality criteria for national cycling routes for leisure and tourism.

Kosterhavet has two snorkelling trails, each around 200 metres long: one near Rörvik on South Koster and one in Hasslebukten on Saltö. The underwater snorkelling trail on Saltö is around 200 metres long, lies at a depth of 1 to 1.5 metres and runs underwater past eight information boards.

Kosterbåtarna operate year-round from Strömstad to Kosterhavet National Park; the crossing takes approximately 45 minutes. A bus operated by Västtrafik runs from Strömstad to Tjärnö, and the Lovéncentret stop is located directly next to the bridge to Saltö.

Culture

The rock carvings of Tanum in Västra Götaland are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their depictions of people, animals, weapons and boats show the life and beliefs of the Bronze Age. The World Heritage Site includes more than 600 known sites and has the highest concentration of such rock art panels in Northern Europe.

Historical lighthouses from the late 19th century stand on Ursholmen in Kosterhavet; the former lighthouse keepers’ houses and storage sheds have also been preserved. Läckö Castle is located on Kållandsö in Västergötland, on a headland in the Eken archipelago of Lake Vänern. In the Middle Ages, Läckö Castle belonged to the bishops of Skara.

Guided tours are offered in Varnhem Abbey Church during the tourism season and by arrangement outside this period. The Rosenstigen trail near Varnhem is around 2 kilometres long and passes limestone steps and an old stone bridge.

Forsviks bruk is a 600-year-old industrial setting with historic buildings and exhibitions about metalworking, technology and life in an industrial community. As a living museum, Forsviks bruk offers visits, exhibitions, guided tours, courses and training, as well as music and theatre.

Visiting

The main entrance to Kosterhavet National Park is located at the Naturum at Ekenäs brygga on South Koster. All entrances to the national park are accessible to wheelchair users; all except the entrance at the Naturum can also be reached by car.

The regional structure includes the following direct subregions: Lilla Edet, Lidköping, Ale, Lycke, Åmål, Västerlanda, Göteborg, Nödinge-Nol, Svenljunga, Lysekil, Uddevalla, Härryda, Sotenäs, Borås, Kungälv, Töreboda, Ulricehamn, Alingsås, Dals Rostock, Färgelanda, Gråbo, Gothenburg, Hålta, Istorp, Tjörn, Trollhättan, Herrljunga, Tibro, Grästorp, Götene, Lerum, Svaneholm, Tidaholm, Vårgårda, Skara, Månstad, Essunga, Fristad, Sunnersberg, Mölndal, Mark, Partille, Mellerud, Stenungsund, Kareby, Jordal, Dängevik, Färdsle, Karlsborg, Falköping, Hjo, Gullspång, Vara, Skövde, Orust, Öckerö, Tvärred, Bollebygd, Vänersborg, Tranemo, Dals-Ed, Bengtsfors, and Munkedal.