Kvalmsö, Naturreservat

Kvalmsö is an island in the archipelago with a well-preserved historic landscape to the west and dense woodland in the east. The island can be reached on foot or by boat. Moorings can be found along the rocky shoreline and in small, natural coves perfect for swimming.

The sea immediately surrounding the island is part of the nature reserve. The island’s bedrock is broken up by several small rift valleys. Kvalmsö offers a varied landscape with ancient forest dominated by pine trees, broadleaf woodland, pastures, dry meadows and rocky shorelines.

In the western part of the island the historic landscape is characterised by grazing with tree-clad and open grazing land interspersed with rocky outcrops, dry meadows and coastal meadows. The eastern part of the island is covered in dense, ancient forest, predominantly spruce, and broadleaf woodland with many oak trees and hornbeams. The spruce forest and broadleaf woodland are in natural competition.

An ancient monument with a stone block resting on smaller blocks marks a prehistoric grave, sited on a high outcrop of rock. Out in the sea, medieval piles can be seen, used to block ships from reaching the shore. There is a farm at Gåraviken in the south-west of the island. It is surrounded by ancient meadowland and areas that were previously cultivated. These fields are now kept open through grazing and clearing. Rare well-built stone walls and clearance cairns are found in this farmland.

The rules for the nature reserve are shown in the link below, but, for example, dogs must be kept on a lead and you are not allowed to pitch a tent for more than 48 hours or light a fire other than in a place designated for the purpose.

Source: County Administrative Board