Harge Uddar, Naturreservat

Harge Nature Reserve is located in a magnificent landscape on the banks of Lake Vättern. Here you will find dramatic rocky beaches and old pine forests. From the high cliffs you have a fine view of Vättern and Vänneviken. Many small headlands are completely open to the winds and waves of Lake Vättern. The bare rocks create a feeling of being by the sea.

Limited accessibility by car

Right now there are many people visiting Harge uddar. There are 6 parking spaces in the parking lot. Please do not drive down to the parking lot with a motorhome, caravan or bus. It is a dead end and there are limited possibilities to turn around. The road down to the parking lot is very narrow and cars must not be parked here. Please respect that residents, emergency services and the keeper of the reserve must be able to access with wide vehicles.

Urbergskalk

The bedrock in the reserve consists of granite with elements of quartz porphyry and limestone. The cliffs and rocky outcrops are part of a major fault line along Lake Vättern. The small quarries, which can be seen in several places in the landscape, are remnants of older mining of bedrock limestone. The loading was done at Vänneviken, and the crushed limestone that can be found far out on the western side is waste from the loading.

The bedrock affects the flora

Low, sparse, gnarled and windswept pine trees grow on the hilltops and in the banks. But there are also areas with spruce, birch and aspen. The boulders and rocky surfaces of the rocky areas are rich in lichens and mosses. Rare mosses, such as the common hair-grass moss, spider moss and cushions of blue moss, grow on the beach rocks. Purple knotweed, woodland knotweed, spurge, bloodwort, wood anemone, thistle and gravel bracken are species found where the limestone bedrock is close to the surface. Out on the headlands, it is the warm red color of the granite that shines. Cat's-foot, goat's-foot, thyme and bluebell grow in crevices.

Look out for birds!

Harge uddar, and especially the nearby Klåvudden, are great places to see migrating seabirds. Especially in the spring, you can see eider, kittiwake, blackbird, oystercatcher and sandwich tern. These are species that are otherwise mostly associated with the east and west coasts. To have the best chance, you must be there at sunrise. The sociable Little Auk is otherwise a characteristic species at the Harge headlands.

Skating in the bays

Harge uddar is a beautiful reserve in all seasons. But try going there in late fall or winter. On a stormy evening in November, the face of Lake Vättern can be threatening yet enticing and fresh. On a crystal clear February day when the ice has settled in the bay, the lake shows its best side. The occasional wave laps against the rocks and the sun can be warming. Cold winters also freeze Vättern and offer fantastic ice skating.

Accessibility

A 2.5 kilometer long marked hiking trail runs from the parking lot around the area. The path is demanding in places. The easiest way is to walk directly to Vänneviken or via the shortcut to Vinterhamnen. From Korpaberget you have a nice view of Lake Vättern and via a staircase you reach a shelter with a fireplace where you can grill. There is also a fire pit on one of the headlands just southeast of Korpaberget.

Bring your own firewood

If you plan to grill - bring your own firewood as this year we do not have the opportunity to provide the fireplaces with firewood. Please note that it is forbidden to collect sticks and branches from the forest in the reserve for firewood and barbecue sticks (see regulations above).

Park safely on the road

Please do not park along the roads in the area. The emergency services and animal keepers must be able to access the area. Additional parking is available inside Bastedalen. If you cannot find parking, please come back later in the day, see the congestion schedule below. Avoid going down to the parking lot with larger vehicles such as buses and caravans as there are limited opportunities to turn around.

Avoid congestion

Sometimes many people visit Harge uddar at the same time and then the parking lot can be full. During the summer season, the parking lot is usually full in the middle of the day, mainly between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. If possible, plan your visit to times with less congestion.