Hovenäset: Coast, Harbor and Local History

Hovenäset lies mainly along the northern part of the entrance to Klevekilen. The entrance forms a natural harbor protected from winds in every direction. Around the town, bare cliffs of red Bohus granite meet lush woodland with footpaths. Hovenäset thus combines a distinctive coastal landscape with maritime local history and various ways to experience the surroundings on foot, on the water, or through their cultural heritage.

Coast, nature and trails

The Klevekilen Nature Reserve is located near Hovenäset, between Väjern and Hovenäset. It encompasses the bay and its shoreline areas. A characteristic feature is Klevekilen’s angular coastline, formed by intersecting fracture systems. Peninsulas and jutting rocky cliffs shape the shore. Those interested in the geological aspects of the landscape can also find a protected occurrence of stromatolitic limestone near Slätten. It probably formed during the last glaciation.

The almost 70-kilometer-long Soteleden hiking trail passes through Hovenäset. At Reso bathing area, there is a jellyfish protection net that is installed and removed each year, protecting bathers from jellyfish stings. Hovenäsets Simskola offers several weeks of swimming lessons there every summer. The program includes beginner courses, badge tests and lessons for adults, including front crawl technique.

Fishing village, stone processing and harbor

From the early 18th century to the early 20th century, Hovenäset was solely a fishing village. From the mid-19th century to the 1920s, the town also developed into an important center for stone processing. Several log houses along the southern access road and timbered boathouses in the inner part of the bay at Kryssnäs are among the area’s characteristic features.

The present-day harbor structure also reflects the area’s maritime character. The municipal boat berths comprise a total of 210 berths in the harbors of Hovenäset and Svineviken, where there are floating docks. Hovenäsbron connects Hovenäset with Kungshamn. The former vacation facilities are also of interest when interpreting the townscape: in 1934, a guesthouse called Hovenäsets Havsbad was built in Hovenäset, and a year later the summer restaurant Hovenäsbaden was established at the bathing beach.

Kapellet på Näset and seasonal culture

The history of Kapellet på Näset began in 1919. Since April 2022, the building has no longer been used as a consecrated church space; it now serves both non-religious and religious activities. Since 2017, Hovenäsets Bildarkiv has displayed its images several times a year at Kapellet på Näset. In some of the boathouses, flea markets as well as art or photography exhibitions are occasionally held in summer.

If you would like to compare Hovenäset with other places when selecting your travel destination, you can also include Bohus-Malmön, Kungshamn, Hunnebostrand, Smögen and Bovallstrand. This makes it clear whether the landscape around Klevekilen, the hiking trail, the harbor and fishing history, or the seasonal cultural venues is the deciding factor for you.

For the overview of the wider destination: Sotenäs.