Islandsberg hiking trail
Islandsberg, Skaftö
South of Grundsund is Skaftö's southernmost cape - Islandsberg. The area is barren and there are almost no trees, only heather and the further out the more wind. A foot path leads towards the cape and the old lighthouse on the mighty cliff. From there you have a magnificent view of the archipelago.
Quick facts
Length: 2,7 km one way
Timing: 2 hours back and forth
Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Nature trail
Go hiking and meet the sea at Islandsberg
From Grundsund you can continue a hiking trail towards Islandsberg. It is said that the place is named after Iceland, because the landscape is barren and almost treeless. The area consists of gneiss with a large element of mica. If you have the geocaching app, you can look for treasures.
Find your way out to the old lighthouse
At the car entrance to Grundsund is the sign that shows the way out to Islandsberg. The best thing to do is to park the car at the barn or earlier. Out on Islandsberg there are no possibilities to park. At first, the road is wide and graveled, but further on it gets narrow through a forest area. Signs show the way to Islandsberg and the old lighthouse. After about 1.6 km you will see Gullholmen straight south. From there, the path towards the lighthouse turns off. The trail is not so clearly marked, but the path is well trodden.
Magnificent views of the archipelago
From the cliffs of the cape you have a magnificent view of the archipelago with Gullholmen in the south and Gåsö in the north. Straight ahead is the open sea. According to experienced fishermen, this was where the worst waves were built and the waters between Gullholmen and Islandsberg have been feared through all times. The wind is refreshing and the waves hit the high cliff which also extends 30 meters vertically below sea level.
The old lighthouse at Islandsberg
The cape with the old lighthouse is cut through by two deep water-filled cracks, of which the southern one was used as a harbour. The lighthouse was built in 1883. The lighthouse function was housed in the attic on the extended western gable. Unlike the rest of the house, the entire gable to the west has been painted white, in order to be better seen from the sea. The old lighthouse was at work until 1938 and was then replaced by an unmanned Aga lighthouse a little north of the old lighthouse. From the top of the mountain, a stone staircase leads down to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is now a privately owned summer house. If the gate is open, it is allowed to visit the area, but when the owners are there, the gate is closed and you have to stay on the rocks above.
Fact about the trail
Length:
2,7 km from the parking place next to the barn to the old light house on the cliff
Approximate times:
2 hours back and forth
Marking:
At first, various home-made wooden signs point in direction towards the old lighthouse. When the heather and the rocks take over, there is a well-trodden path and white-painted slightly faded dots on the ground to follow.
Level of difficulty:
The hiking trail becomes progressively difficult. Accessibility is good. Initially the hike starts off on a gravel road and then gradually or completely turns into a nature trail with a couple of wetter passages and a slightly steep climb before reaching the old lighthouse on the cliff.
Start and end:
Start: At the road sign Islandsberg where there is a car park and a barn.
End: On the cliff by the lighthouse on the cape Islandsberg. It is a return route hike. You have to go the same way back again.
How to get here:
Get off the bus on the way into Grundsund at the bus stop Islandsbergsvägen (Västtrafik 845). A sign by the road indicates Islandsberg.
Map:
You can find a route map on Google maps and if you want a printed map, it is available at Infopoints in Lysekil municipality.
If you are interested in more scenic hikes on Skaftö - check out Skaftö – en livslång kärlek with a map which is also printable.
