Värmlandsskärgården, Naturreservat

The shores and archipelagos of Lake Vänern are the country's largest freshwater archipelago. The Värmlandsskärgården Nature Reserve protects large parts of this island world from Värmlandsnäs in the west to Kristinehamn in the east.

Lean rocky beaches with windswept marshlands and lichen-covered rocks characterize the landscape. Lush vegetation and deciduous forests are found in wind-protected locations on larger islands and on some islands with favorable bedrock geology. Shallow reed bays in the inner parts of the archipelago add to the variety. Strong nature conservation interests are linked to these different environments. The Värmland archipelago has a rich bird fauna, including nesting species such as the little auk, common tern, osprey and white-tailed eagle.

The Värmland Archipelago Nature Reserve was established to preserve unspoiled archipelago environments, a beautiful landscape and its natural values. Another purpose is to promote the public's outdoor life and knowledge of nature. The parts of Lake Vänern's archipelago and coasts that lie within the nature reserve are also largely of national interest for outdoor life and nature conservation. The area is part of the EU's ecological network of protected areas, Natura 2000.

**Less wood for fireplaces

From 2023, resources for the management of nature reserves have been reduced, which means that we have reduced the supply of firewood. As we are now putting out less firewood, it is extra important that you as a visitor burn carefully and bring your own firewood if you want to be sure to be able to grill. Please note that fires may only be lit in the designated fireplaces and that it is forbidden to take dead or live branches from the forest.

Middle part

Värmlandsskärgården - middle part

In the middle part of the Värmlandsskärgården nature reserve, there are fine visitor areas accessible both from land and from water. At Hammarö sydspets and Bonäs udde you can reach Vänern's lovely rocky beaches by land. Bonäs udde can be reached from Räggårdsviken in the southwest and from Kilenegården in the northwest. From the southwest you walk over beautiful rock structures on the rocky shore and from the northwest through rolling coniferous forest along the shore.

The southern tip of Hammarö is home to a variety of habitats such as coniferous forest, rocky and cliffy beaches, alpine meadows and sedge meadows. The Karlstad Ornithological Society conducts bird ringing in the area.

Västra Söön is a well-visited island with a sandy beach. The vegetation on the island consists mainly of blueberry coniferous forest.

There are also a number of other nature reserves nearby, such as Timmeröarna, Kärrholmen and Segerstads skärgård in Karlstad municipality.

Before your visit

For more information about outdoor activities, boat trips and more in the archipelago, see each municipality's website.

Eastern part

Värmland archipelago - eastern part

The eastern part of the Värmland Archipelago Nature Reserve stretches from Furholmarna with its meagre rocky areas via St. Marön with its lovely shingle areas in the southeast to Arnön's lovely sandy beaches in the south in the west.

On Saxholmen you can visit an old castle ruin on the highest part of the island and enjoy the rich flora associated with the rich bedrock.

Alvön and Långön are popular visitor areas. There are boat trips to the islands from Kristinehamn during the summer.

Härön is located as a last outpost towards Stor-Vänern in the south. On Härön there are well-developed embankments built up from glacial river material.

Both Östra and Västra Tormesön are characterized by a special bedrock structure with sparse rocky vegetation.

At Björnrukan you can reach the nature reserve by land via Väse and south-eastern Arnön. There are lovely long sandy beaches.

There are also a number of other nature reserves in the area, such as Sibberön and Kummelön in Kristinehamn municipality and Timmeröarna and Kärrholmen in Karlstad municipality.

In Ölmeviken, outside the nature reserve, there is another area protected under Natura 2000. Here, the values are mainly linked to the area's shore meadows and bird life.

Before your visit

On several islands there are information boards, landing sites, fireplaces and outhouses.

On the southern part of Arnön there is a municipal parking lot and toilet north of the large sandy beach at Björnrukan.

Alvön, Långån and the north-eastern tip of Östra Tormesön have good landing opportunities. Municipal jetties are located on the northern and southern parts of Saxholmen. There is also a municipal jetty on Trinneholme (Fallholmen) south of Kristinehamn. There are paths on the island through the old pine forest. Furholmarna has many fine natural harbors in the northwest.

On Härön there are two old fishing huts that have been renovated and are open to the public as resting places.

For more information about outdoor life, boat trips and more in the archipelago, see each municipality's website.

Western part

Värmlandsskärgården - western part

The area comprises three sub-areas along the eastern side of Värmlandsnäs, with eight larger islands (>1 ha) and a number of smaller islets and skerries. In the far south outside Mässvik there are Dagsholmen and Björnholmen, both of which have dense and old coniferous forest. The area also includes Brattholmen and Fulholmen, which are designated as bird protection areas. Dagsholmen has a shingle beach spur projecting to the northwest that gives character to the island. Further north, outside Liljedal, the small islets Talleskär and Orreholmen are close together. The largest island in this part of the reserve is Knipan, which rises significantly above the water surface. In the far north is the long, narrow Skarholmen with dense pine-dominated forest.

There are also other nature reserves nearby, such as the visitor-friendly Getgarsudde, in Grum municipality, and Segerstads skärgård in Karlstad municipality, both of which are accessible from land.

Before your visit

In parts of the Värmland archipelago, there are facilities and hiking trails to make it easier for visitors and to prevent wear and tear and littering.

Visitor facilities are lacking in the western part of the reserve.