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.
Photographe: 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.
Photographe: Örjan Karlsson
Faits concernant le sentier
Longueur :
There are several trails to choose from on Nordkoster. If you want to hike around the northern part of the island, the yellow trail, which is 5.3 kilometers, is your best option. There's also a blue trail of 2.3 kilometers and a white trail of 1.3 kilometers.
Temps approximatifs :
The approximate time for hiking the blue and yellow trails is about four hours in total.
Marquage :
The trails are marked with oak posts with color markers and arrows at intersections. Trail maps are available at the island’s main docks and at certain locations on the island. Paper maps can be obtained at the Tourist Info in Strömstad, from Kosterbåtarna, at the Koster docks, and at and around Naturum Kosterhavet.
Niveau de difficulté :
The trails are classified as moderate and mostly follow natural paths through varied terrain, including open heathland, mixed forests, along beaches, and through meadows.
Début et fin :
Both trails start at the Western Dock. The ferry departs from Strömstad’s Northern Harbor and takes between 30 and 60 minutes. If you wish to continue hiking on Sydkoster, there is a cable ferry between the islands during summer.
Photographe: Åsa Dahlgren
Comment se rendre sur place :
The Koster Islands are located just outside Strömstad and are served by ferry year-round. You can reach Strömstad easily in under two hours by car from Gothenburg or Oslo. It’s also possible to take the train, which takes about two and a half hours from Gothenburg. To hike on Nordkoster, you’ll disembark at the Western Dock, the starting point for the hiking trails. In summer, it can be difficult to find parking in central Strömstad, so long-term parking options at Hålkedalen, Strömstad High School, and Bojaren, near the entrances, are a good alternative. During the summer, free shuttle buses run from the parking areas to the town center.
Carte :
A digital map of the paths can be found on Google Maps.
Map for printing/downloading
Naturum Kosterhavet
Hamnevägen 30
452 05 Sydkoster
Téléphone: +46 10 224 54 00
E-mail: Envoyer un e-mail
Site web: kosterhavet.se