Hiking at Ramsvik

Ramsvikslandet’s nature reserve was established in 2006. The relatively small area (about 5 km x 2.5 km) offers amazing surroundings and rocky granite landscape, varied nature and interesting traces left by the retreating ice sheet after the last glacial period, the coastal agriculture and traditional stonemason industry.

On your hike you will experience fine rock formations, unbeatable sea views, salt-sprinkled fresh air and a rich animal and plant life. You hike over rocky outcrops, in areas with pebbles, among heaths and through pastures. At times you feel the sweet aroma from the pine forest’s pillar room, at times you listen to the screams of a few gulls that loose on mussels on red granite pits near the sea.

The nature reserve of Ramsvikslandet is sometimes called the Kingdom of the Rocks, which is easy to understand. The red granite is mixed here with other, younger rocks. In the northern part of Ramsvik, on Öberg, you can experience a fantastic landscape with the beautiful red and smooth granite cliffs.

There are plenty of exciting traces of the inland ice in the form of round hobs, giant pots, ice ruffles and cutting trays. You can best see the tracks on the coastline west of Sote Huvud, just south of picturesque Fykan, and out on Ramsvik’s northwestern end, Öberg Tånge, where huge pink granite masses are clearly sharpened by the inland ice movement. Also on Tryggö, at the southern end of Ramsvikslandet, the granite formations are impressive. Also, don’t miss the mighty tomb of King Tryggve’s tomb at Tryggö, where the Viking king Tryggve is buried. Everywhere you are also reminded of the stonework era in Bohuslän from the end of the 19th century and about 50 years on.

If you’re interested in plants, head to the open, wind-blown meadows at easily accessible Haby Bay. There are a variety of small plants that thrive on the lean beetle soil.

Among ornithologists, Ramsvikslandet is well known and there is also a ring marking station. In addition to seabirds seen from the west coast of the island, you will also find many waders in Långetången on Haby. The cuckoo is common on Ramsvik – easy to hear, but hard to detect.

The hiking trails at Ramsvik are suitable for longer day hikes or shorter walks and are perfect for those who want to experience the archipelago for a week or a weekend. They start from the holiday village parking and there are several roundabouts and shorter hikes. The shortest is 1.5 km and the longest is 16 km. Some of the hiking trails follow easy-footpaths and some hiking trails require climbing and detours around ravines. There are both well-marked hiking trails and those that require attention on the map and in nature.

As Ramsvik is an island, we can reassure anyone with a poor sense of direction: as long as the water does not reach higher than your waist, you are not too far from the safety of the holiday village…

This stretch is part of both the Kuststigen and the Soteleden. This stage is classified as moderate and is boggy and steep in parts, around Sote Bonde and the rocks to the north in particular. This stage of the trail is a coastal hike that goes through very varied terrain over rocks, through pastures and salt meadows.

The Red Trail is Ramsvik’s shortest hiking trail. 1.5 km long and well marked with red marks. Takes about 30 minutes to walk and is perfect for a short dog walk. It is not possible to walk the Red Trail with a stroller.

The white trail is fun for both children (from 7 years) and adults. 4 km long and well marked with white marks. Takes about 1.5-2 hours to walk. The white trail crosses over cliffs and through forests and there are lots where you have to jump between rocks, climb a steep slope and jump over rocks in the mountain. It is not possible to walk the White Trail with a stroller.

Here you will find what Ramsvikslandet is best known for – kilometers of rock outcroppings and vast expanses. The southern part of the island is barren with magnificent views. And then the opposite of course: Lay down from the wind, meadows and pastures.

Northern Ramsvikstrail is a little different from the south. Here, it is more forested, easier to walk, and the nature bears traces from the age of stonemasons, when Bohuskusten’s stone was cut and shipped all over the world.

Torbjörn’s trail is an easy walking tour through forest groves, pastures and over smooth rock outcrops. Torbjörn has lived in Ramsvikslandet for over fifty summers and he describes his favorite round like this: “It has everything. The calm and chirping of birds in Tångeskog, the view towards Grosshamn and the heather moors where the cows graze”. 

Annika’s trail is perfect for the whole family to hike together. It is easy going, goes through forest, over rocks and along two sea beaches. Children usually love coming to the beach at Tångevik! 

Does a more adventurous hike beckon? In that case, look south. Just below Ramsvikslandet is Tryggö. Here, in addition to beautiful nature, you will also find a cave and a mighty Viking grave at the top. The hike is exciting right from the start – to get here you have to wade across a shallow strait.