Valbo-Ryr brings together small valley and lakeside settlements around the lake system of the lower ValboĂĄn, set in a varied, lightly wooded landscape. Farmland and natural forests are equally part of the local scenery. To get your bearings, it is worth looking at the different highlights: the river and valley landscape, designated trails, nature reserves and traces of local history offer different ways to explore the destination.
Strömmarna and the waterside landscape
The Strömmarna Nature Reserve in the Valbo-Ryr area is a canyon-like valley landscape along the Munkedalsälven. It is used as a canoeing and hiking trail, offering two different ways to experience the landscape: on the water or on foot. Beavers and lynx occur in the area. The wildlife adds to the valley’s distinctive character, without requiring visitors to spot any particular animals.
The Vågsäter Nature Reserve offers a different focus: it consists of a gravel deposit with significant geological value and lies east of the road between Valbo-Ryr and Munkedal. While the canyon-like river valley defines Strömmarna, the geology and gravel deposit are the main features here. Vågsäter’s beech forest is also a nature reserve in the Valbo-Ryr area. It contains 20 trees considered especially worthy of protection. Together, these sites represent different natural features: geological values and a specifically identified stand of trees.
Trails and river crossing
The Viksjöleden runs between two designated starting points: the bridge at Hattefjäll and Valbo-Ryr Church. These endpoints provide clear reference points for planning your route. At Strömmarna, a hand-operated cable ferry is part of Bohusleden Stage 15 and allows you to cross the river. If you plan to hike this stage, you can include the ferry as part of the river crossing.
The church and the former cultural landscape
Valbo-Ryr Church was consecrated in 1903. At the church’s former site near Ryrs säteri, an old cemetery and a memorial stone erected in 1939 have been preserved. According to reports, an earlier Valbo-Ryr Church stood on a promontory in Viksjön. The local history passed down through the years thus connects the church, its former site and the lake in different ways. A promontory is a projection of land extending into a body of water.
Kikerud is also part of the historic cultural landscape. The small farm was set in a scenic location on Kikerudssjön. Together with the farmland in today’s landscape, the history of this farm highlights another aspect of the area: besides its nature reserves and trails, Valbo-Ryr can also be explored through its former use of the land.
Fishing at Viksjön
The Viksjöns FVOF Valbo-Ryr fishing area has a large fish population. Fish species include zander, pike and perch. The fishing area adds a distinct connection to the water alongside the themes of river landscapes and hiking.
Discover more destinations: Hällevadsholm, Dingle, Hedekas, Munkedal.
Return to the main travel overview: Munkedal.
