Gran, Naturreservat

Gran is the most isolated island on the Hälsingekusten coast and its nature is characterized by its exposed position in the sea and by land uplift. Storms in recent years felled many trees on the island. Access to parts of the reserve can therefore be difficult and dangerous. The island is of great importance for resting migratory birds and there is also one of the county's largest colonies of razorbills. Here you can walk along the paths and look out over the sea. Or take a dip in the sea at the beach.

Gran's nature reserve covers 450 hectares, of which 63 hectares is an island and the remaining 387 hectares is water. The area is located just over a mile off the northern coast of Hälsingland in Nordanstig municipality. The island is the most isolated on the Hälsingekusten coast and the nature is characterized by the exposed position in the sea and by the land elevation.

Lighthouse site since 1886

There has been a lighthouse here since 1886, but it is now unmanned. There is also an old fishing village on Gran, which bears witness to the island's former importance as a port for coastal fishermen. Today, most of the cottages have been converted into holiday homes.

Vegetation

Spruce is thought to have risen from the sea over 2,000 years ago, exposed directly to the forces of the sea and waves. The island is covered by swell gravel and shingle where the rock is not exposed and between the lighthouse and the southern headland, and east of Grisselberget, there are beautiful systems of sea walls.

The central and southern parts of the island are covered with old and partly primeval coniferous forest. The flora is species-poor but still contains several unusual elements. In the open grasslands near the fishing village there is the county's richest locality for the rare fern top lock fern.

The lichen flora, characterized by the exposed and isolated location, is also interesting.

Animals on the spruce

Gran is home to one of the county's largest colonies of razorbills. The colony has been known since the 1600s, but the number of nesting birds has varied over the years.

Due to its location, the island is of great importance for resting migratory birds, and skuas, guillemots and eiders also nest here.

The northern part of Spruce with the surrounding ground and water is set aside as a seal protection area. This is one of the county's most important areas for gray seals.

Access to these parts of the island is prohibited during spring and summer.