Tjörn between Skerries, Trails and Maritime Culture

Tjörn consists of 1,546 islands and skerries, some of which are inhabited. Dyrön, Åstol, Härön and Tjörnekalv are connected by regular ferry services.

Geographical setting

Härön is characterised by treeless rocky areas as well as agricultural land and meadows with great biodiversity. This landscape was shaped by a special form of skerry farming.

Hiking and landscape

Dyrön has two hiking trails: an approximately 5-kilometre yellow circular trail and a 1.6-kilometre blue trail over the mountains. Mouflon roam freely on the island. The different trail lengths provide clear reference points for planning hiking days.

The hiking trails on Härön partly run through a nature reserve and offer several alternative routes. Säbyleden lies within the Breviks Kile and Säby Kile nature reserves. As a circular trail starting at Säbygården, it leads through open landscapes as well as grazing and forest areas to the old stone hut at Säby ö.

Vetteberget is the highest mountain on Tjörn and offers views across the sea westwards to the horizon. The hiking trails near Sundsby offer views over the Stigfjord, lead through a beech forest and pass through narrow passages and caves. The park, hiking trails and grounds of Sundsby säteri are open year-round.

Tjörn has numerous hiking trails through varied landscapes, across islands and to viewpoints, as well as through beech forests and along winding paths.

Culture and history

Pilane is an 8-hectare natural and cultural landscape with mountains and deep valleys, where archaeological remains dating back thousands of years—including traces of Stone Age settlements and Iron Age graves—meet contemporary art. Pilane also has around 90 stone circles, standing stones and stone settings from the Iron Age.

The Nordiska Akvarellmuseet presents several exhibitions each year featuring artists from around the world. In an open studio, beginners can try out watercolour techniques.

The Pater Noster lighthouse is 32 metres high and was designed by Nils Gustav von Heidenstam. In 2015, it was declared a state-listed historic building.

The Skärhamnsvandringen route leads, among other places, to the Maritime Museum and onwards to Hamneberget, with panoramic views over Skärhamn. The Maritime Museum is located in Cherlinska huset and presents memories and documentation of Tjörn’s maritime history through pictures, models, objects and written documents.

The Klädesholmen Museum “Sillebua” presents the history and development of Klädesholmen, focusing on fish and herring processing from around 1860 to 1960. At Villa Solfrid in Klövedal, guided tours about the history of Elin Sundberg, the daughter of a gold prospector, are offered. The Gröna Boden local heritage museum on Åstol documents the history of the fishing village of Åstol.

In 1635, Margareta Huitfeldt and the Danish nobleman Thomas Dyre came to Sundsby säteri.

The same locality also includes Hjälteby, Rörvik, Höviksnäs, Klädesholmen, Åstol, Rönnäng, Klövedal and Hakenäset.

Cycling, water and swimming

Tjörn has many car-free cycle paths and cycling routes to interesting excursion destinations and charming cafés. The surfaces consist mainly of asphalt and fine gravel, and bicycles can be rented at several locations.

Kajaktiv Tjörn in Bleket offers kayak rental, guided paddling tours and kayaking courses. The “Paddla från Kajaktiv Tjörn” route is suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers; beginners should use it in good weather.

Blekets badplats in southwestern Tjörn has a small sandy beach, rocks, a bathing jetty, a diving tower, a bathing platform and a toilet.

Local character

Margaretas kök och skafferi serves food and fika in a historic säteri setting and offers freshly baked bread, rolls and other locally produced delicacies in its farm shop.

To the overarching travel overview: Tjörn.