The shifts of nature

IF YOU LIKE RAUKS (SEA STACKS)

There are rauks elsewhere in the world, but Gotland is known to have some of the most magnificent. The fact that they have formed in this particular location is because Gotland bedrock consists of hard reef limestone. The sea sanded away softer parts leaving behind stacks of different shapes – that is, rauks. Digerhuvud – Not only Sweden's largest rauk field, but also likely the most famous. The 3.5-kilometre long rauk field found on Fårö consists of hundreds of rauks of all kinds of sizes and shapes. There are special barbecue areas and a lovely setting to enjoy the sunset. Lergrav – There are famous rauks such as the “Lergrav Gate” and the “Madonna and Child” up on the hill above little Lergrav's fishing village. A small yet popular rauk field to visit on the way to or from the island of Furillen. It is not uncommon to find sheep grazing around the stacks.

The Maiden in Lickerhamn – Up on the cliff, overlooking Lickershamn's fishing village, harbour and beach, stands Gotland's tallest rauk, the “Maiden”. She stands at the cliff edge close to fifteen meters above sea level and is, herself, eleven metres tall.

Folhammar – North of Ljugarn, you will find the stately, accessible rauk area – about 500 metres worth, with some rauks stretching up to six metres. If you look closely, you will see the rauks are covered in fossils. There are also nice areas for barbecuing here.

Holmhällar – Nature reserve and one-kilometre long rauk area in Vamlingbo parish on southern Gotland. Here, the rauks stand tight together and look out over the island of Heligholmen and the ever-changing sea.

IF YOU ENJOY MEADOWS, FORESTS AND GOTLAND PONIES

Not all trees that grow on Gotland have needles, there are also many lovely deciduous forests to hike through. There are remarkable sand forests with knotty pine trees and a place where you can find wild Gotland ponies.

Ängen, as the landscaped meadows of flowers and deciduous trees are called, are environments that are home to many species, partly because they have been used as pastures. Plants, birds, insects and other animals thrive on the island. Ekebysänget/Salmbärshagen – Large knotty oaks, wild-growing dewberries, bats and woodpeckers. Allkvie änge – You will find this gem eight kilometres east of Visby. There is a 1.6-kilometre nature path that traverses this meadow. Nature, cultural history and beautiful surroundings, all in one.

Bosarve deciduous forest – This area has been in use since the Stone Age. Nowadays, you will find the splendour of flowers, birds and many ancient remains such as the Bronze Age cairns and the remains of Iron Age farms in Solsänget. Ullahau – On north-east Fårö, there is a queer sand forest. Pine trees grow on a giant sand dune and the area is known for the predatory antlions found here. They dig small sand pits where they pull down and overpower ants and insects.

Lojsta heath – The forest of wild horses. Here, you will find a herd of Gotland ponies – Sweden’s oldest domestic breed of horses. There are about 50 mares and their foals that live freely in the area though they are herded a couple of times a year. If you want to ensure that you get a glimpse of these small cuties, we recommend a guided tour.

IF YOU LIKE ISLANDS

There are a number of islands you can visit around Gotland. The largest of them is Fårö, which is naturally a must if you are interested in Ingmar Bergman, sundrenched beaches and rauks. But there are several more gems to discover.

Gotska Sandön – Sweden’s most isolated island, approximately 40 kilometres north of Fårö. National park boasting shifting sand, ancient pine forests and a large population of grey seals. According to legend, the island was once known as a hangout for pirates. The visiting season starts at the end of May and runs until the beginning of September. Stora and Lilla Karlsö islands – Unexploited islands with limestone plains, orchids, steep cliffs tumbling into the sea and a rich bird fauna where guillemots and razorbills breed. There are a great number of caves on Stora Karlsö, including the Stora förvar where the remains of Stone Age people have been found. Here, you can dine and find accommodations. Lilla Karlsö lacks services but its beautiful surroundings draw you in. Here you will find horned, free-roaming Gotland sheep grazing among the grave sites and ship settings. Östergarnsholm – Outside Herrvik on eastern Gotland you will find this uninhabited, isolated island with four lighthouses. An ancient prehistoric castle attests that people once used the island. Here you can go tour boating, at least in the summer.

Enholmen – In the small Slite archipelago you will find Enholmen, ten minutes by boat from Slite. The price includes a guided tour of Karlsvärd Fortress and the eastern abatis, the donjon. You can also walk around the small island, which once housed Sweden's first cholera hospital. Furillen – Alternatively spelled “Furilden” is nowadays connected by road. The limestone industry was up and running on the site until the 1970s. Well into the 1990s Furillen was a military protection area. There is no longer any military activity here. Nor is there any industry, just traces of it as nature has slowly taken over the landscape again. This special environment is often used in photography and films and between abandoned limestone quarries and slag heaps, an old factory building has become a designer hotel. In the northern part of Furillen, there is a nature reserve with beautiful beach meadows, popular with birdwatchers.

IF YOU LIKE SEA CLIFFS AND ANCIENT CASTLES

The magnificent sea cliffs have a barren and inscrutable feel. The view from these high points is often breath-taking on what is otherwise a flat island. These are great places to visit if you want to get a panorama view or just want to experience the insignificance of man. Hall-Hangvar – With 15 kilometres of rocky coastline, open rocky outcrops and Gotland-swept pine trees, you can take a long and gruelling walk. Brucebo – In Brucebo you can take in the views from the cliff edge or make your way down to bird-rich beach meadows and a cliff face with several enrapturing caves. Up on the cliff itself, the typical Gotland pine trees grow close together, often gnarled and low-grown in the windswept landscape. Högklint – Just south of Visby is one of the most popular outlooks on Gotland. At 48 metres above sea level, the view is heavenly. Here, the residents of Gotland and visitors often gather to take in the beautiful light of the sunset. Many weddings have been immortalised here, with the sea as their backdrop. There are several foot paths around Högklint, such as the one to Ynge fishing hamlet.

Torsburgen – When the Ice Age ended, the area rose up like a plateau with falling sides. During the Iron Age and Viking age, people used the hillfort to build an impregnable stronghold – the largest prehistoric defence in the Nordic region. A substantial fire ravaged the area in 1992 and changed the surroundings, but many species of insects, plants and fungi actually benefited from the new environment.

Grogarnsberget – Steeps with collapsed rocks and a winding road along the coast frame Grogarnsberget. Though it only 30 metres to the highest point, the view is extraordinary. At the tip of the hill, referred to as Grogarnshuvud, there is an old bunker and the remains of an ancient Viking fortress.

Did you know that...

...there are inland lakes on Gotland. They are called “fens”. Some are small, fissure lakes such as the fens of Lojsta and Etelhem, or the popular Sigvalde swimming lake. Most of the fens are shallow with a light-coloured limestone bottom. Bästeträsk in the north is the largest of the lakes, followed by the popular swimming hole Tingstäde Träsk. Fårö is home to a number of minor, shallow fens, some of which are rich in bird life.