Västra Götaland: Nature, Coast and Culture

Nature

Kosterhavet National Park holds a special position: it is Sweden’s first marine national park and protects a species-rich marine and archipelago landscape. There are around 12,000 species in total. The main entrance is located at Naturum at Ekenäs brygga on South Koster. The Kosterbåtarna operate year-round from Strömstad to the national park; the crossing takes approximately 45 minutes. All entrances to the national park are accessible to wheelchair users. All entrances except the one at Naturum can be reached by car.

Kosterhavet also includes historic traces and designated paths in the island area. Historical lighthouses from the late 19th century stand on Ursholmen; the former lighthouse keepers’ houses and storage sheds have also been preserved. The Nord-Långö and Hällsöarna Nature Reserve includes Nord-Långö, Nord-Hällsö and South Hällsö, as well as the surrounding sea. There are beaches and opportunities for hiking. The hiking trail on Nord-Långö leads around the northern half of the island, across rocky terrain, through forest and down to bathing coves.

Protected areas such as Logården showcase different types of landscape. Logården Nature Reserve features fields, pastures, clearance cairns and stone walls, as well as several easy-to-walk paths. The marked paths are 2 kilometres long in total and include resting places, 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.

Ramsvikslandet combines extensive rocky terrain with heathland, wet heathland, meadows and deciduous woodland. The area is easily accessible and well suited to exploring on foot; designated bathing spots include Haby Bay and Tryggö. The coastal meadows and shallow bays serve waders as resting and breeding grounds. At Naturum Hornborgasjön, there are informative guided tours and several activities for children.

Water and Coast

Kosterhavet has two snorkelling trails, each around 200 metres long: one at 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. For transport to Saltö, a bus operated by the public transport company Västtrafik runs from Strömstad to Tjärnö. The Lovéncentret stop is located directly next to the bridge to Saltö.

Culture and History

The rock carvings of Tanum are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their motifs of people, animals, weapons and boats illustrate life and religious beliefs during the Bronze Age. The World Heritage site comprises more than 600 known sites and has the highest density of such rock art panels in Northern Europe.

Läckö Castle is located on Kållandsö in Västergötland, on a peninsula in the Eken archipelago of Lake Vänern. In the Middle Ages, the castle belonged to the bishops of Skara. At Varnhem, guided tours are offered at Varnhem Abbey Church during the tourism season, and outside this period by arrangement. 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 environment with historic buildings and exhibitions about metalworking, technology and life in a working community. As a living museum, Forsviks bruk offers visits, exhibitions, guided tours, courses and training, as well as music and theatre.

Routes in the Region

The Göta Canal Cycle Route is a 220-kilometre national cycling route. One endpoint is located at Sjötorp or Mariestad on Lake Vänern. The cycle route is classified according to quality criteria for national cycling routes for recreation and tourism.

The included services, price components, as well as booking and cancellation conditions may also differ from one another. This information helps you check the points that are important for your trip directly in the respective offer before booking.

More regional pages: Kungälv Municipality, Tranemo, Ulricehamn Municipality, Ale, Nödinge-Nol. Other destinations at regional level: Norrbotten, Stockholm Region, Västerbotten.

To the higher-level travel overview: Sweden.