Segerstads skärgård, Naturreservat

In the Segerstad archipelago you can experience the unspoiled archipelago nature through winding paths in pine forest and magnificent views of Lake Vänern. Here it is not unusual to see a sea eagle fly by with a prey in its claws. Many of the islands have both picnic areas and fine sandy beaches with swimming opportunities. Parts of the archipelago can also be reached from the mainland and there are hiking trails that are accessible to everyone.
View of an island in the Segerstad archipelago.

Photos in the slideshow: Värmland County Administrative Board, unless otherwise stated.

Warning for falling trees

In the burning area

At Norra Onsösundet/Lindränkan, a nature conservation burn was carried out in August 2022. Many trees in the burn area are unstable because the roots have burned off. We strongly advise against visiting the burn area itself. Burnt trees can fall unexpectedly and silently, which can endanger lives. Warning signs are posted on the trails entering the area, and we ask that you respect the cordons.

On the mainland

In parts of the reserve located on the mainland, there is also a risk of falling trees, especially when it is windy. There are currently many dead spruces here as a result of the 2018 drought and subsequent bark beetle infestation. Be aware of dead trees in your vicinity when moving around the nature reserve. Dead trees, twigs or tree tops can fall suddenly and silently.

We remove the most dangerous trees at rest areas and trails as we go. Please respect any barriers.

Before your visit

You can get to the Segerstad archipelago either by boat or from the mainland. Many places have facilities such as fireplaces, picnic tables and toilets. The County Administrative Board replenishes firewood regularly, but sometimes it runs out, so if you want to be sure to be able to make a fire - bring your own firewood or charcoal.

From 2023, resources have been reduced for the management of the nature reserves, which has meant that we have reduced the supply of firewood. As we are now putting out less firewood, it is extra important that you as a visitor burn carefully and bring your own firewood if you want to be sure to be able to grill. Please note that fires may only be lit in the designated fireplaces and that it is forbidden to take dead or live branches from the forest.

There are more than thirty islands in the nature reserve, each over one hectare in size, and several hundred small islands and skerries. The largest islands are Åsundaön, Bärön and Gåsen. The waters are often shallow and difficult to navigate. On some of the bare islets there are colonies of gulls, gulls and terns in summer. White-tailed eagles and ospreys regularly nest in the area. Be careful not to disturb the birds' nesting sites.

By boat

In the Segerstad archipelago there are many beautiful islands that are worth a visit. Here you can see a selection of what there is to experience in the area if you come by boat.

• Onsön: Karlstad municipality has a pier on the northwestern part of the island. On the southwest side there is a nice, shallow sandy beach that can be accessed by smaller pleasure boats. There is a fire pit and dry toilet adjacent to the sandy beach.
• Stora Axelön: There are four stone labyrinths on different parts of the island. Fine rocky beaches and varied vegetation. Fire pit and dry toilet on the northern side.
• Tunnöarna: In the northern part of the island group there is a fine sandy beach that is washed over when there is high tide and strong winds. Adjacent to the sandy beach there is a fireplace and dry toilet.
• Goose: One of the largest islands in the area. Nice sandy beach and possibility of mooring for smaller boats in the southwest. Fire pit and dry toilet.
• Sand Island: As the name indicates, the island consists largely of a sand deposit. On the northern part there is a nice sandy beach, fire pit and dry toilet.
• Långholmen: Nice natural harbor with mooring loops in the rock on the northwestern part. Fire pit and dry toilet.
• Amneholmarna: In the western part of the archipelago, near Bärön, you can walk to Amneholmarna. The islet, which is owned by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, has a jetty, picnic hut, barbecue area and dry toilets that can be used by the public. Åsfjordens Båtsällskap manages the rest area on behalf of the County Administrative Board.
• Bockholmarna: Two small islets at Åsundaön that are often good to moor at even when it is windy. Fire pit and dry toilet.

From the mainland

The Segerstad area is the part of the Segerstad archipelago that can be reached without a boat. From the main parking lot, there are easy hiking trails to picnic areas near the water. Some of the trails are accessible by foot, wheelchair and stroller. There are also picnic areas where you can barbecue, have a coffee and enjoy nature. The road out to the Segerstad area and the main parking lot is plowed in winter.

*If you find it difficult to walk, it is possible to drive out to parking lots further out in the area. Contact the County Administrative Board on 010-224 70 00 to get the code for the locked road barriers at the entrances. State your name and car registration number. If you want to go on the weekend, remember to contact us on a weekday before your visit. You can find our opening hours and contact details here:

Hiking trails

In the Segerstad area there are several nice hiking trails where you can both enjoy the forest landscape and look at the view of Lake Vänern.

Trails towards Arnäs udde and Hamnholmarna

The trails towards Arnäs udde and Hamnholmarna are prepared to be accessible by wheelchair (gravel path). They work well with electric wheelchairs. For manual wheelchairs there should be an attendant, or you should be used to driving in somewhat steeper terrain, as the paths go in hilly terrain with a slope of up to 7-8 degrees (13-14%) in some parts. In places there may be roots and stones sticking up in the path. If you drive a car* there is a parking lot closer to Arnäs udde and Hamnholmarna and adjacent to the parking lot there is a dry toilet.

On Arnäs udde, about 1.5 kilometers from the main parking lot, there is a shelter and three fireplaces with a nice view of Lake Vänern. Through a landscaped footbridge you can continue out to Hamnholmarna where there is another shelter, wooden deck, dry toilet and fireplace. Once out on the islets, you are surrounded by one of Lake Vänern's most beautiful archipelago landscapes.

Trail towards Onsösundet

The hiking trail towards Onsösundet is about 1.5 kilometers long and runs mainly on an old road that passes "Landviken's old plot" with a barbecue area under cover. The road is smooth and can be used by wheelchairs. If you drive a car* there is a parking lot below the windbreak. At Norra Onsösundet there is a shelter, wooden deck, dry toilet and a fireplace. Here you can enjoy the view of Kattfjorden and the reed area between the mainland and Onsön. The last bit up to the shelter is steep and there may be roots and stones on the path. There is another rest area at Södra Onsösundet. There are smooth rocks, a sandy bottom, an open resting hut and a fireplace.

Blue loop

The blue loop starts from the main parking lot and is about 2.5 kilometers long. The trail runs through a varied and slightly hilly forest landscape. It is perfect for those seeking the tranquillity of the forest but is not accessible by wheelchair or stroller. The trail passes a sandy beach and picnic area by the harbor. There are picnic tables and a fire pit.

Green loop

The green loop is about 3.5 kilometers long and starts from Landviken's old plot, a meeting place managed by the Swedish Forest Agency. There is a covered fireplace, dry toilet and woodshed. The trail runs partly outside the nature reserve and there is forestry in the area.

Windswept pine forest and stately birds of prey

The Segerstad archipelago nature reserve was established to preserve the conditions for nature-based and enriching outdoor recreation while protecting the archipelago's special natural values. The area is part of the EU's network of valuable nature, Natura 2000.

On the islands in the Segerstad archipelago, the nature is characterized by windswept pine forest with plenty of heather, lingonberry and water hemlock. In the slightly more lush hollows between the rocks there are alder bogs and small wetlands and in several places you can find both olive and blackberry. The open sandy beaches on some of the islands are often lined with carpets of milfoil stretching out their green shoots. On sunlit sandy beaches you can also see the small craters that are traps for the larvae of the ant lion. The dragonfly larvae lie at the bottom of the crater, waiting for an ant to fall down. The rocky shores are home to flowering herbs such as torchwort, frog's-foot and beach heather.

A rich bird life

In the archipelago environment there is a rich bird life to look out for. It is not unusual to spot birds of prey such as osprey or larkspur, or even a sea eagle. All three species nest in trees and sometimes place their nests right on the shore. Be alert when coming ashore from a boat if you hear a bird of prey warning. During spring and summer there are often eggs or chicks in the nests, which can easily get into trouble if the parents are scared away for a long time.

In the area you will also find several of our most common breeding seabirds such as herring gulls, black-headed gulls, black-headed gulls, oystercatchers and terns. The small woodcock flies between the islands and its lonesome call is often heard during warm summer evenings. At Onsösundet, the views lead towards Kattfjorden and the sea of reeds that covers the area between the mainland and Onsön. The large continuous reed beds around Vänern are important habitats for birds such as reed warblers, bitterns and brown harriers. The latter is a bird of prey that is often seen sailing over reed beds on its slightly V-shaped wings.