Experiences in the nature of Kungälv

Let’s begin with the northern part of the district, by a high tableland, namely, the nature conservation region of Svartedalen.  A region which consists of vast woods and wilderness.

Here, there are many breathtaking outlook points, several lakes and an abundance of wonderful rambling -paths.
Understandably, as this region’s mystical name suggests, you too may discover many mystic beings behind the mossy rocks and within the deep fir woods. I am quite sure that I too have seen both wood-spirits and mountain trolls here!

Let’s continue eastwards, down the Göta älv and its beautiful scenic valley. Göta is a very potent river enthused with waters from the Vänern, Klarälven and several other water inlets from East Norway and other places.
Therefore its river- water is very rich, in regards to both pollution and nutriment. The last mentioned promotes plant -life.
By the river’s shore you can find an array of rare plants. It isn’t only the plants that thrive here. All different species of birds take stopovers by the river. In order to eat themselves full before their spring and autumn migration.
Similar conditions prevail on the Nodre älv which takes the greater part of the Göta älv`s water out into the sea.      

When we pass Dösebacka and its gravel stocks (thanks to inland ice) we can gain a little time perspective.
Right here, about 35,000 - 40,000 years ago a Woolly Mammoth dropped its tusk in the sand, if you want, you can see the lost tusk in the Natural History museum of Gothenburg.

Let’s continue and come to Marieberg and Marberget. A wonderful idyllic spot which is totally captivating in spring and early-summer with its floral splendour, its birdsong and its wild deer.

Now let’s travel to Kungälv through the idyllic Östra gatan (street) and arrive at Fästningsholmen.
Here, one can find many usual and very unusual plants and herbs. Among these there are several old cultivated plants but besides, there are also some of our most poisonous plants like; hemlock and henbane.

Most of the flora is historically inter-woven with the fortress and the life which was lived there, each flower has its own story to tell!
 (see the article " A poisonous history)    
 
If you stay in Kungälv, overnight, why not take an evening stroll up in Fontin. Just walk around the little lake," Svarte Moss", with its water-lilies, wild ducks and birch trees which scent hang over the lake. It could calm a stressed tourist.

Far back in time, about 1000 years ago, when the town of Kongahella lied in Ytterby by the Nodre River, a fortress right opposite Ragnhildsholmen was built. Its ruins still remain and due to the land shift which has happened we can now visit there without a boat.
I choose to go there an early summer evening, exactly during dusk when the blackthorn, bird-cherry and the lily of the valley become luminous white and I just sense cowslips by their scent. Then I sit and listen for the rushing movement of the grasshopper’s and the nightingale’s song which casts tones over the river.

On the way to the sea we pass by Ytterby and a few kilometres afterwards we see a sign "Guddehjälm". If we turn in here we will come to an old homestead museum which is absolutely well worth a visit.  We continue a little bit along the drive and turn off to the left onto a forest path which leads up to a wonderful deciduous wood where a large section consists of a beech woods
These woods are just as beautiful the whole year round but in the month of May there is a special feeling of dawn picnicking to hear the first bird song under newly -opened beech buds.

We continue outwards but stay a while on Nordön in order to study how the wind and the sea shape Nature. From the parking zone we can ascent up a mount and see the whole of the island’s archipelago out towards Carlstens Fortress. Along the way we will see typical costal vegetation. At first, crowberry, heather, willow, bilberries and cowberries, a dog-rose, blackthorn and blackberries and then later on a little more soil and moist birch, pine, mountain oak, willow, asp and crab apple trees. Then the  bushes and trees become a little taller with dried-out wind-sides and sheltered sides where the wind and the sea can’t dry out the branches, except allow them to continue to grow.
Then add all the flowers which vary from spring to autumn and you have a piece of Nature which I can believe is very like the vegetation of times past on the primitive mounts of Bohuslän.  

 After firstly passing by Instön and then Koön, which are both very interesting places for flower -lovers, our journey continues onwards to Marstrand. Having travelled by ferry to Marstrand and having taken in the island’s culture and idyll we embark on a stroll upon one of the footpaths around the island. Here we experience delight at the sharp contrasts between mountain, sea, rocks and crevices with deciduous trees and flowers. It is in such a sheltered place that we find St Eriks Park with its tall trees and within its vicinity a sweet little water lily pond. Upon our stroll we can find most of Bohuslän coastal flowers and where else shall the protected coastal poppy grow if not on Marstrand.

If you would rather see more gentle cliffs and stroll along easier footpaths I suggest that you visit the Nature reserve of Tofta. Here there is a large number of plant species and beautiful deciduous woods which inter -change with arable and pasture fields. Along the way to the cape you will pass Tofta Manor and a pleasant cafe` where you can treat yourself after your stroll amongst all the flowers; cowslips, white meadow saxifrages, cat’s foot and blue violets.

Now we shall go northwards to Rörtången, but if you are a bird -lover and especially if it’s autumn or spring you must stop by Ödsmålskile in order to study all the different sorts of sea and wading birds in the shallow bay.

Down we go to Rörtångens pier and from there the archipelago boats disembark out to Brattön, Lövön and Älgön. All three are worth a visit but I choose Brattön and Älgön as among those few islands that I rate most highly. Both the islands have a bedrock base which promotes a rich flora with a wide variety and besides one can even find so-called rare flowers there.

Brattön is high, 130 metres, but on top there is an enchanting view. The island has a remarkably wide variation, everything from moors, parched meadows and peculiar hillsides to deep ravines with deciduous trees. Maybe there is something magical about the island? Well in any case one knows that witches started their wanderings on Easter eve from the Island’s peak which is very rightly called Blåkulla (the Blue Mount).  Älgön is also a high (nearly 100 metres) wide island. Here one can find even more variation between the eastern side’s gentle lush deciduous woods to the western side’s powerful cliffs which sharply decline straight down into the sea.

During the whole spring and summer period there are plants and flowers on these islands which are of botanic interest with each offering its own peculiarity and beauty. I choose a clear autumn day -the sun is shining, the wind is moderate with occasional "white goslings" upon the deep green-blue sea. I wander on Älgön`s peak, in a cloud of intensive purple flowered heather and allow myself to be drowned in scents and colours. This experience, and several others I hope, you too will experience in our beautiful district.