Kappelshamn – Coast, Nature and History

Kappelshamn stands for coast, protected nature and maritime history. Kappelshamn västra bathing area consists of an approximately 200-metre-long rocky beach with individual sandy sections. Those who want to get to know the area not only through its beach but also through its landscape will find waterside paths, wetlands, birdwatching sites and historical traces in the surrounding area.

Coast and Protected Areas around Kappelshamn

The Hall-Hangvar Nature Reserve extends to Kappelshamnsviken. It consists primarily of pine forest and is rich in various wetlands. It offers opportunities for coastal hiking, botanical walks and birdwatching. The tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) frequently breeds in Kappelshamnsviken, so the bay also differs from a purely beach-centred stay from a natural-history perspective.

A coastal trail runs along the shore from Hallshuk to Kappelshamn. The trail leads into the bay and offers views across Kappelshamnsviken. In the immediate vicinity of Kappelshamn, the fishing village of Hallshuk has parking spaces directly at the site. This makes it possible to include this stretch of coast as a separate excursion destination when exploring the area.

Bogs, Springs and Birdwatching

About 2 kilometres southwest of Kappelshamn lies the 180-hectare residual bog of Träskmyr. In the Träskmyr Nature Reserve, there is a birdwatching tower east of Gardträsk. It can be reached from an embankment via a path partly covered with planks. This specific access leads to a different landscape experience than the coastal trail: the focus is on bogs, water surfaces and birdwatching.

The Vitärtskällan Nature Reserve is also located in the immediate vicinity of Kappelshamn, on the eastern side of Kappelshamnsviken. There, you can walk along a winding spring stream and observe orchids and other plants of spring-fed bogs. Those who want to combine coastal landscapes and nature observation when choosing a holiday destination will therefore find different, clearly distinguishable landscape types in Kappelshamn: rocky beach and bay, pine forest and wetlands, residual bog, and spring-fed bog.

Fishing Village with Maritime and Archaeological History

Kappelshamn is a fishing village in the Hangvar parish and lies in an area of valuable cultural landscapes that is part of the programme for preserving the cultural heritage of Gotland County. Extensive burial grounds from the Late Iron Age are located in the western meadow area of Kappelshamn. Archaeological surveys have also revealed traces of harbour activities. Finds of porcelain, coins and redware have been dated to the early modern period, approximately 1550–1700.

Map traces in Kappelshamn appear to indicate the site of a medieval chapel; there may also have been a small fishing village there. The map traces are an indication, not a confirmed reconstruction of the site. Nearby, the Bläse Kalkbruk Museum presents Gotland’s stone industry as well as the lives and working conditions of the workers. The cultural spectrum thus extends from early settlement and harbour indications to the island’s industrial history.

More Experiences on Site

In the immediate vicinity of Kappelshamn, Bläse Stentåget offers a historic train ride with a locomotive and stone wagons to a former quarry that is now filled with water. The round trip takes approximately 40 minutes; the route is 1.7 kilometres long. In addition to the football pitch, the Snäckersvallen facility offers areas for varpa, boules, brännboll and other activities. Kappelshamn Gästhamn guest harbour has 10 guest berths available. During the summer season, Kappelshamns Veranda serves fika, food and drinks.

More places: Klintehamn, Fröjel, Eksta, Fleringe, Lärbro, När, Sanda, Dalhem.

To the higher-level travel overview: Gotland.