Västra Götaland has more than 500 nature reserves and other protected areas. Nature is therefore a defining feature of a trip through the region. Around 1,000 kilometres of pilgrimage trails wind through its landscapes, offering plenty to explore for hikers and culture enthusiasts alike.

Nature between sea, forest and bird habitats

Kosterhavet National Park in Västra Götaland is Sweden’s first marine national park. Its diverse marine and archipelago landscape is home to around 12,000 species in total. The main entrance is at the Naturum visitor centre at Ekenäs brygga on South Koster. All entrances to the national park are accessible to wheelchair users; all except the entrance at Naturum are also accessible by car. The Kosterbåtarna ferries run year-round from Strömstad to the national park, with the crossing taking about 45 minutes. Check the timetable when planning your trip.

There are trails to explore underwater, too: Kosterhavet has two snorkelling trails, each about 200 metres long—one at Rörvik on South Koster and one in Hasslebukten on Saltö. The underwater trail on Saltö runs at a depth of 1 to 1.5 metres and passes eight information boards. These details make the difference between a visit on land and an underwater exploration clear.

Fields, pastures, clearance cairns and stone walls are part of the cultural landscape at Logården Nature Reserve. Several easy-to-walk trails pass through the area; the marked routes are 2 kilometres long in total. Rest areas, birdwatching towers and viewing platforms add to the trail facilities. Nearby Lake Östen is protected under the Ramsar Convention and is safeguarded as one of Sweden’s most important bird lakes. A visit to the reserve can be combined with a bike ride on the roads and gravel tracks near the lake.

Ramsvikslandet offers a different kind of coastal landscape, with vast stretches of bare rock interspersed with heathland, wet heath, meadows and deciduous woodland. Coastal meadows and shallow bays provide waders with places to rest and breed. The area is easy to explore on foot; designated swimming spots include Haby Bay and Tryggö.

Rock carvings and local history

The rock carvings of Tanum are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 600 sites are known, and the carved panels have the highest density of their kind in Northern Europe. Images of people, animals, weapons and boats depict life and beliefs in the Bronze Age. The six-kilometre “Vandring i världsarv” hiking trail passes the rock-carving sites of Lövåsen, Gerumshällen and Sotetorp, as well as the ruins of crofts, barns and a mill. This makes it possible to combine a closer look at the rock carvings with traces of earlier settlements.

Läckö Castle stands on Kållandsö in Västergötland, on a peninsula in the Eken archipelago in Lake Vänern. In the Middle Ages, the castle belonged to the bishops of Skara. At Varnhem, cultural history goes hand in hand with short walks: Rosenstigen is about 2 kilometres long and passes limestone steps and an old stone bridge. Guided tours of Varnhem Abbey Church are offered during the tourist season and by arrangement outside that period.

Those interested in technological and industrial history can visit Forsviks bruk, a 600-year-old industrial setting with historic buildings. Exhibitions explore metalworking, technology and life in an industrial community. The living museum offers visits, exhibitions, guided tours, courses and training, as well as music and theatre. Nature reserves, pilgrimage trails, rock carvings and industrial history each offer a different way to discover Västra Götaland.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lilla Edet, Svenljunga, Lidköping, Ale, Göteborg, Tanum, Mariestad, Borås, Sotenäs, Kungälv, Nödinge-Nol, Töreboda, Ulricehamn, Alingsås, Tranemo, Dals-Ed, Bengtsfors, Dals Rostock, Färgelanda, Munkedal, Åmål, Lysekil, Gråbo, Uddevalla, Härryda, Gothenburg, Hålta, Istorp, Strömstad, Tjörn, Tvärred, Bollebygd, Trollhättan, Vänersborg, Herrljunga, Karlsborg, Tibro, Falköping, Hjo, Grästorp, Gullspång, Götene, Lerum, Vara, Skövde, Svaneholm, Tidaholm, Vårgårda, Orust, Öckerö, Stenungsund, Västerlanda, Skara, Månstad, Essunga, Sunnersberg, Mölndal, Lycke, Mark, Mellerud, Partille, Kareby, Fristad, Jordal, Dängevik, Färdsle

For the broader travel overview: Sweden.