Hiking on Nordkoster
Strömstad
Nordkoster/North Koster, part of the beautiful Koster Islands, offers seaside hiking in dramatic nature. Hike across heathlands and through small forests to vast fields of scree stones and salty swims.
Quick facts
Length: 5.3 km
Timing: approx. 2 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Terrain: nature trails, heaths, woods, beaches and meadows
Sweden’s first Marine National Park
Further north on the Bohuslän coast, just outside Strömstad, lie the popular Koster Islands, surrounded by the Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden's most biodiverse sea area. The archipelago nature around the islands is something extraordinary. Kosterhavet became the country’s first marine national park in 2009. It’s easy to reach the two main islands, Nordkoster and Sydkoster, with Kosterbåtarna ferries, which depart from the northern harbor in Strömstad all year round.
Photographer: Örjan Karlsson
Impressive Scree Stone Fields on Nordkoster
Explore Nordkoster’s dramatically varied nature through three circular trails. The yellow trail is 5.3 kilometers long, and there is also a blue trail of 2.3 kilometers and a white trail of 1.3 kilometers. The last Ice Age left impressive traces in the form of scree stone fields at Valnäs Bay, which are definitely worth seeing. Valnäs, with its marshland, is also home to the rare buttercup known as the Bohus Ranunculus.
The best swimming spots are at Basteviken, Norrvikarna, and Hasslevikarna. From the lighthouses on Högen, the highest point on Koster, you’re treated to a stunning view where, on a clear evening, you can see the sun setting behind the Norwegian mountain peaks to the north.
Photographer: Örjan Karlsson
Naturum Kosterhavet
Hamnevägen 30
452 05 Sydkoster
Phone: +46 10 224 54 00
E-mail: Send e-mail
Website: kosterhavet.se