Hallands Väderö, Naturreservat

Off the coast of Torekov is the 3 km long island of Hallands Väderö. Here you can combine sun and swimming with great nature experiences. There are shrub-covered pastures and shingle fields with flowering sloe bushes. But there are also shimmering green forests with large trees and dark alpine meadows. Around the island, harbor seals are often seen resting on the rocks. There are plenty of resting places and several different hiking trails. In summer, the tour boats go here and then both the museum Lotshuset and the island kiosk are open. Remember that anchoring is prohibited in Sandhamn.

Small island with great variety

The island is not large, about three kilometers from south to north. Despite this, Hallands Väderö has a very varied nature. There are broadleaf forests with old, coarse-stemmed trees, as well as dark alder bogs and small lakes. But there are also flower-rich dry meadows and dense shrublands that are grazed. Along the coast, there are both rugged rocky beaches and soft sandy beaches. The varied environments contribute to the island's rich plant and animal life.

The highest natural values are in the forest

The island's greatest natural values are found in the wooded parts of the island. A large number of threatened or rare species live here, mainly beetles and lichens. What these species have in common is that they depend on very old, coarse deciduous trees and dead wood in various stages of decomposition. The natural pastures on the island have been grazed since time immemorial and today harbor a valuable pasture flora.

Shorebirds and seals

Hallands Väderö is one of Skåne's larger nature reserves. In addition to the main island, it includes the shallow waters, islands and skerries around it. Some coastal sections and islands are reserved for wildlife. Seabirds such as eiders nest here. The island also has unique nesting sites for sanderlings, razorbills and guillemots. Around the island, harbor seals are often seen resting on the rocks. Since the seal was protected in the 1960s, the colony has steadily increased.

A summer paradise with an outdoor museum

Hallands Väderö boasts of being the second warmest place in Sweden. And the sun often shines over the island. There aren't many sandy beaches but the water is clear and clean. Lotsstugan from 1844 is the oldest house on the island. Here is Halland Väderö's outdoor museum. The exhibition gives an overview of the island and its history, and is open every day from spring to fall.

Outdoor life

In summer, you can easily get here with Väderötrafikens tour boats. They run from Torekov to Sandhamn on the island. Other times of the year you have to book a boat trip. Torekov harbor has both a bus station and parking. It is allowed to anchor along the coast with the exception of Sandhamn and in areas where access is prohibited (see map of access and anchoring prohibitions Pdf, 166.7 kB.). It is not allowed to pull up the boat on the sandy beaches.

There are several hiking trails on the island, which is about 3 km long. And for those who like to swim, there are wonderful baths. Remember that fires and camping are not allowed and to behave calmly among the grazing animals. For an overview and in-depth information, we recommend a visit to the outdoor museum Lotsstugan Link to another website, which is open in summer, and the folder Hallands Väderö Pdf, 7 MB.. Here you will also find information about which areas are off-limits. The ban on visiting these areas exists to protect seals and bird life.

In English

Welcome to Hallands väderö Nature Reserve

Hallands Väderö is north-western Skåne's special archipelago. This is a place where you can combine sun-bathing and swimming with fantastic nature experiences. Pebble beaches with flowering blackthorns, woodlands and smooth rocky islets onto which seals haul out. Taking a boat over to one of Skåne's largest nature reserves is a real adventure.

Small island but much to offer

The island isn't large - about three kilometers from south to north - but it has much to offer. You'll find broad-leaved woodland full of thick-trunked trees, dark alder carrs and ponds. Dry meadows, where dense carpets of thrift bloom, are interspersed with juniper bushes, sandy beaches and rocky shores. The huge diversity, combined with the long history of broad-leaved woodlands and natural pasture has created the condition for an abundance of flora and fauna.

The Woodland Contains the Natural Treasures

The greatest natural treasures on the island are found in its forested sections. A large number of threatened and rare species live in these, primarily beetles and lichens. What these all share is that they are dependent on there being a lot of old, mighty broad-leaved trees and dead wood. Natural pastures on the island are valuable as they have maintained through grazing since time immemorial and are characterized strongly by this.

Coastal Birds and Seals

Hallands Väderö is one of the county's largest nature reserves, which, aside from the main island, also encompasses the smaller islands, skerries and shallow waters that surround it. Some sections of the coastline and some skerries are reserved for wildlife. Sea-birds such as the Common Eider breed here. The island also has unique breeding sites for Black Guillemot, Razorbill and Common Murre. Around the island you can often see harbor seals lying and resting on the rocks. The colony has grown continuously since the harbor seal was protected by law in the 1960s.

Hallands Väderö Outdoor Museum

The pilot's cottage, built in 1844, is the oldest building on the island. This is now home to Hallands Väderö Outdoor Museum. The exhibition provides an overview of the island and its history and is open every day between spring and autumn.

Hallands Väderö boasts of being Sweden's second warmest place. The sun certainly shines often on the island. There are not that many sandy beaches, but the water is clean and clear. There is a café on the island that is open in summer and it's possible to rent a house on the island.

Regulations

The regulations which apply in the reserves are set out on the notices displayed at the entrances and in swedish on this web page.