Gamla Köpstad (södra), Naturreservat

Gamla Köpstad Södra is an open coastal landscape with coastal meadows, moors and shingle fields. The easily hiked reserve offers both fishing from bare rocks and salty bathing. If you visit in August and September, you can see the beautiful and rare bell gentian. It grows to a height of ten meters and blooms during this time with intense blue flowers.

In Gamla Köpstad, it is believed that a predecessor to the city of Varberg was located during the early Middle Ages. The shoreline was then around one and a half meters higher than today and the site offered one of the best natural harbor locations along the Halland coast. People probably traveled here from near and far to trade, the name Gamla Köpstad means place for trade. North of Lerjan is Gamla Köpstad, where three mighty stone cairns tower above the shingle fields.

Pink carpets of trift

The nature in Gamla Köpstad is quite typical of the central Halland coast. Here, shingle fields are interspersed with bare cliffs, shallow lagoons and the odd bathing-friendly sandy beach. Heather and crowberry grow on the slopes. Closer to the sea, the moorland changes to wetter grasslands where the heather forms pink carpets in early summer. There are no marked hiking trails, but there are plenty of well-worn paths to walk on.

The largest coastal meadows are at Galtabäck around Lerjan. Here, the seashore meadow plants form clear growth zones from the water towards the land. Wild clover grows abundantly on the salt meadows and there are large stands of glasswort on the more muddy areas.

Valuable bird habitats

Many migratory birds, especially waders and ducks, rest in the shallow bay of Lerjan. If you have binoculars with you, it's a good idea to go up to the bird tower, which is located at the very bottom in the south. From here you get a good view of the bird life in the Lerjan lagoon area and have the chance to see species such as the red-legged godwit, greater sandpiper and lapwing.

Museums and campsites nearby

In Galtabäck harbor, south of the reserve, there is a boat museum. There are campsites both north and south of the reserve. There is a restaurant and café in nearby Träslövsläge.