Gråberget, Naturreservat

The County Administrative Board has today decided that an area about 12 kilometers northeast of Gävle, called Gråberget, will become a nature reserve. Gråberget covers a 49-hectare mostly mountainous coastal area. Gråberget is located on the coastline of Norrlandet, northeast of Gävle, between the old fishing villages of Bönan and Utvalnäs. The south-facing open cliffs and outcrops are home to a peculiar and interesting limestone-affected rock meadow flora. Here, for example, blood nettle, yellow pennywort, common chickweed and goat's rue grow, as well as the small ferns black bracken and wallflower. The snail fauna is also rich with unusual species such as the lesser crystal snail and the onion snail.

Above the open cliffs, an old windswept rocky pine forest with coarse pines continues, which further in turns into older mixed coniferous forest. In the wetter areas, there are alder, willow, rowan and even large aspens.

Popular excursion destination

Gråberget is already an important excursion destination and the area has great potential to be developed further for the benefit of outdoor recreation. The area is easily accessible through the old roads in the area, which are reminiscent of the military era. The area is also crossed by a number of smaller paths. Due to its proximity to Gävle and its easy access, the area offers good opportunities for nature experiences and recreation.

Gråberget is one of the few areas in the vicinity of Gävle where the public has the opportunity to get down to the beach. The area is also accessible not only by car but also by public transport or by bicycle via the cycle path that runs parallel to Bönavägen.

Defense facilities in the area

From the Second World War until 1997, most of the area was cordoned off as a military protection area. The defense facilities have now been dismantled. The fact that the area still has its natural values today is probably an effect of the fact that the military's activities have prevented the development and exploitation that has taken place along other parts of the coastline.