Axmar, Naturreservat

The Axmar nature reserve is the largest contiguous archipelago area on the southern Bothnian coast. It is also the largest in Gävleborg County with around 4,500 hectares. Here you can hike, watch birds and grill sausages, but also visit the Axmar Bruk cultural reserve. The nature reserve is most beautiful to visit between April and September. The coast here is flat and rocky. In addition to the coastal area, the reserve also includes many islands, from 400 hectares in size down to the smallest skerries.

There are two hiking trails in the reserve. On the mainland, you start from Axmar Mill and follow the trail "from path to wreck" 1 kilometer north along the coast.

On Kusön there are several fine sandy beaches and you can walk the approximately 3 kilometers along the forest path between Badviken and Korshamn. With a larger boat you can best enter Korshamn.

Valuable for many

The many rocks and boulders, shallow bays and lagoons found in the archipelago offer many different underwater habitats where animals and plants thrive. The bottoms of the shallow bays are richly covered with microalgae, lush vascular plants and dense seaweeds.

It is a treasure trove for crustaceans, shells, fish and seabirds looking for food. Among others, there are eiders, blackbirds, lapwings, little auks and white birds. The mixed coniferous forest with elements of birch and aspen dominates, but the vegetation is varied.

There are also elements of deciduous forest and species-rich shrubs and fields. Of particular interest from a scientific point of view is the plant life along the shores, which is shaped by the ongoing land uplift.

Sea bay Kusö calf

Västerhamn on Jusö kalv is a shallow bay that is just as scenic above and below the water. If you snorkel here, you can see at least ten species of underwater vegetation and many different kinds of fish.

The easiest way to get to Österhamn is with a larger boat. Via the path you can easily walk between Österhamn and Västerhamn.

Kusön island

At Korshamn and Nyhamn on Kusön there used to be a fishing village with 12 houses, boathouses and even its own school. Today, the fishery has long since closed, but is still an idyll for summer residents and visitors to Kusön.

At Korshamn you can moor your boat and there is also an accessible dry dock, garbage room and a rest area.

Among mills, wrecks and bladderwrack

As early as 1671, Axmar's first cottage was built near the sea. Iron was produced there with power from the waters of the Skärje River and coal from the surrounding forests of Ödmården. Axmar Mill has always been isolated from villages and main roads, and for a long time the sea was the main contact with the outside world.

During the 250 years that iron was produced in Axmar, much has been built and changed. The biggest change took place in the 1860s when the entire mill was demolished and moved closer to the then seashore.

In the sea outside Axmar Mill there is an exciting underwater world. Beneath the surface of the rocky and shallow archipelago are several shipwrecks with a story to tell. We have selected eleven sites that in different ways tell the 300-year history of the ironworks; from ore-laden ships to worn-out barges.

Some are shallow and can be seen from the surface, others require scuba diving equipment. The sites are marked with yellow buoys in the water to help you find your way.