20 UNMISSABLE GEMS

20

unmissable gems

There’s always a new adventure waiting around the corner in South Bohuslän. Here are some gems that will make your holiday shine bright.

On the big island of Orust you’ll find genuine fishing villages, artisan food, cute cafés, famous musicians in small venues, amazing hiking, and car-free islands. On Tjörn you can take the whole family cycling on dedicated cycling paths, hike on car-free islands and experience world-class art and culture. Stenungsund, in its unique location, has the sea on one side and the spectacular wilderness of Svartedalen on the other. Kungälv and Marstrand offer fortresses, city life, forests, sea, river, cobbled streets, and an exciting and very present history. Here you’ll find amazing shopping and a mere 21 nature reserves to explore.

ORUST

Käringön Flatön Ellös

SVANVIKS NATURE RESERVE

There are several excellent nature reserves to explore on Orust. Svanvik’s nature reserve greets visitors with lush deciduous forest, flowers, birdsong, pebble beaches, cliffs and beautiful views of Stigfjorden. There are several paths and great swimming spots to explore, and it's nice to get out to the cliffs and walk along the water. If you want to cycle to Svanvik, make your way to Frendo in Varekil where you can hire a bike and enjoy the views along the way. Herr Bröd (Mr Bread) is a great spot to pick up something nice for the ride.

EDSHULTSHALL, HÄLLEVIKSSTRAND AND MOLLÖSUND

The westernmost parts of Orust are home to several small fishing villages. Facing Käringöfjorden among cobs and skerries, these places offer historical, culinary and cultural experiences. In Mollösund, ling is hung up to dry across the strait amid outdoor cafés and bustling piers. In Edshultshall, the old fish box factory has been transformed to the unique hotel Lådfabriken, perfectly situated for kayaking and swimming in the rocky landscape. In Hälleviksstrand, where traditional white wooden houses huddle closely to protect from salty ocean winds, lies the newly renovated Hotel Strana right by the sea.

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EXPLORE TEGNEBY LOCAL PRODUCE TRAIL

3Take a trip to Tegneby for organic ‘fika’ at Tavlebords Honungsgård, for locally produced lamb meat at Håvs lamm & delikatess or to stay overnight in a B&B or the unique “bee hive” lodge at Honungsgården. And don’t miss Tavlebords Lanthandel, the sales market for local Orust produce.

HIKING FOR EVERYONE

4Orust offerers hiking for everyone – some trails take you through history, along the sea, out on the islands, through woods and uphill to spectacular viewing points. Kultehamn, Svens Altare (Sven’s Altar) Husebyleden and Björsundskanalen will take you past deserted ruins, through nature reserves, to amazing views and through beautiful beech forests. Section 9 of Kusstigen takes you along the sea to Malön, Flatön and Ängön.

Take the ferry to Gullholmen and Härmanö for hiking in the beautiful nature reserve.

TAKE A ROAD TRIP ON EAST ORUST

5East Orust offers some spectacular views along the small winding roads. You’ll find lots of little cafés, fun flea markets and unique shops. Make sure to stop in Myckleby and say hi to the cute camels; pre-booking is preferred. Visit the old Stillingsön resort with all its old houses. Take a break in

Slussen and Slussens Pensionat – good food, accommodation and big musicians on the small stage. Head on to

Anns Keramikbod in Höggeröd for some amazing ceramics and café. Head north and aim towards Töllås

Fårgård and their summer café.

TJÖRN

Valsäng Härön Säby ö

TJÖRN’S THRILLING HISTORY

6If you’re into history, Tjörn is the place for you to explore. On Säby island, you’ll find the old Stenstugan (the Stone Cottage) in a beautiful nature reserve – a very pretty place to hike to. If you visit Klöverdal and the well-preserved Villa Solfrid, you’ll hear the exciting story about the golddigger’s daughter Elin Sundberg.

In Skärhamn, in one of the oldest houses in town, you can explore the small maritime museum. If you’d like to know more about herring – head for the small herring island of Klädesholmen and the museum “Sillebua”.

TJÖRNBRON AND AMAZING VIEWS

You get a spectacular view of the impressive Tjörnbron if you head for Tjönrbron’s lookout point. From there you can easily access the bridge on foot or go by bike for a trip to Stenungsön.

MEET THE SHEEP AND HIKE UP HIGH

Morik's sheep farm is a small seaside oasis where you can meet farm animals, enjoy a coffee in the garden and shop in the lovely little farm shop. Nearby, at

Aröd, a trail starts that takes you up to Tjörn's highest mountain Vetteberget, offering breath-taking views 116 meters above sea level. One of Bohuslän's largest

Bronze Age cairns is located at the top of the mountain. On fine days, you’ll see all the way to Denmark and Skagen.

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BOAT HOUSES BY VALSÄNG STRAND

9Five windswept timber boathouses with greying boards from the 18th century stand by Valsäng Strand in Stigfjorden’s nature reserve. Built at a time when fishing grew from a secondary industry, the boathouses still have their place in the landscape by the shallow bay. To get to the boathouses located at the end of the road at Toröd, you need to walk a few kilometres as the last gravel road is a private road with no parking. But Valsäng Strand is a site well worth the walk.

HIKE ALL YEAR ROUND ON HÄRÖN 10You can easily get to the car-free island of Härön with an all-year-round ferry from the old fishing village of Kyrkesund. There are several hiking trails that partly run though the island’s nature reserve. You can also take the standalone trail of Kuststigen, with its rest area, windbreaks and barbeque spots along the way. The island offers breathtaking nature and amazing views.

If you want food and somewhere to stay head for

Magasinet Härön.

STENUNGSUND

Stenungsön Bottenstugan Surfviken

SURFVIKEN, NORUMS HOLME

AND KULLENS GÅRD

11Right by the sea you’ll find Surfviken – here you can spend a day on a SUP, rent a bicycle, play minigolf, enjoy good food and stay the night in the B&B or on the camp site. Cycle paths offer easy access from

Surfviken to the pretty nature reserve of Norums

Holme. Follow the cycle path under the main road along gravel roads until you get to the cosy Kullens

Gård – a small oasis with café, fabric, art and vintage items.

SEASIDE RESORT THEN AND NOW

12Across the strait from Stenungsund’s city centre lies Stenungsön, a lush island that during the 19th century developed into a seaside resort. Inspired by the light and nature, several of the famous ”Gothenburg colourists” lived on the island periodically. Take a walk around the island or go for a swim at ”Hawaii” – the popular beach.

EXPERIENCE 18TH CENTURY MARIAGÅRDEN

14Along the river Stenunge å, not far from the city centre, You’ll find Stenunge Village, a well-preserved cultural environment that is home to 18th century Mariagården. The homestead offers a glimpse into the past and its beautiful garden is home to a greenhouse, conservatory, children’s garden, stone cellar and sheep house. By the river, where the trout jump in autumn, a newly constructed mill shows you what it may have looked like in days gone by. Follow the nature path along the river and through a forest. During the summer a café operates at Mariagården.

EXPERIENCE THE WILDERNESS

15Svartedalen nature reserve is home to real wilderness, with large forests, rich fauna, rippling streams, glistening forest ponds and moss-covered paths. A good starting point is Bottenstugan by Ålevatten, which is passed by many of the walking trails.

CELEBRATE THE JOY OF DISCOVERY

13Slime running through your fingers, science-based quests, chemical processes and experiments that keep visitors’ curiosity alive – Molekylverkstan is an endless source of knowledge and playful discoveries. Best of all, it is open all year and admission is free. It is located in Kulturhuset Fregatten, alongside a cinema, library, art gallery and café.

KUNGÄLV

Rörtången and Brattön Västra Gatan Fontin

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SHOPPING, FIKA AND CRAFT BREWERIES

In picturesque Kungälv you have all you need around the corner – everything from small unique shops, cafés and beer gardens to Kongahälla Center, a modern mall with shops and restaurants. Swing by Rollsbo and the little craft 19 brewery En Aleigen Brewery and the bakery Singalgatans Bageri, who serve amazing Neapolitan style pizzas.

ON A HIGH AT BRATTÖN

Brattön in the southern part of Hakefjorden is a wellknown landmark, standing tall at 130 metres above sea level. The mythical island is also called Blåkulla’ (Blue Hill) and legend has it, it’s a witches’ meeting place. Brattön’s landscape is dramatic with grassed plateaus, deep ravines and steep mountain walls. Travel to Brattön by ferry from Rörtången.

FOREST TREASURES

The nature reserve Svartedalen offers forest treasures, swimming spots, fishing and berry picking. Untamed nature thrives between walking paths between two and six kilometres in length, which can be combined for a longer hike. Discover the environment around Korsvatten and Timmervatten.

THE FONTIN NATURE RESERVE

The beautiful nature reserve Fontin offers varied nature; follow the Trollstigen path around the woodland lake Svarte Mosse where a number of nice little trolls are hiding. Or choose one of the longer trails that take you along paths, roads and old cultural landscapes with stone fences and cottages. Kärleksstigen (Love Path) offers fantastic views of Kungälv. After your walk, treat yourself to a good coffee at Kotten Café & Konferens or some shopping and something to eat at Trankärrs källare.

WILD WATERFALL AT LYSEGÅRDEN

20In Lysegården's nature reserve you can experience the forest’s magic and mossy paths, and silence and birdsong simultaneously. The 29-hectare area is protected by the EU for its species diversity and powerful nature. In the middle of the reserve, the waterfall Vallerån rushes 38 metres down the mountain Örnekulan 38 meters. It's Amazing to stand at the bottom and watch the free-falling water while feeling the draught. Sea trout reproduces at Vallerån on its journey out into the

Göta River. Parking is available at Lysegårdens Golfklubb, from where you just walk through the golf course's small roads to reach the wilderness.