Mörbylånga on Öland: Alvar, Nature and History

On Öland, around Mörbylånga, nature observation, Alvar landscapes and traces dating from the Iron Age to the Viking Age come together. The immediate surrounding area includes Degerhamn, Stenåsa, Vanserum, Grönhögen, Färjestaden and Mörbylånga.

Nature

Ottenby is a well-known destination for birdwatchers. Thousands of birds are ringed there every year at the bird station. Ottenby Nature Reserve has four marked hiking trails, as well as additional unmarked paths and management tracks. Along the Kyrkhamnsleden are the Kungsstenarna, the ruins of the Chapel of Saint John and the remains of the fishing settlement of Kyrkhamn.

Dröstorp Nature Reserve consists of a mosaic of dry meadows, gravel Alvar, limestone pavements and wetlands. The flora and fauna there are rich in species. The karst formations include the Prästgropen sinkhole: it is two to three metres deep and has a diameter of 40 metres. Björnflisan is the only runestone on the Alvar and served as a landmark on the route between Torslunda and Sandby.

In Beijershamn Nature Reserve, birds can be observed from a birdwatching tower, an observation platform and the walking trails. 650 of around 1,000 Swedish species of large butterflies have been recorded in Beijershamn. The waters south of the pier are suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Beijershamn can be reached by car, bus and bicycle.

Trails

Stora Alvarleden is a 13-kilometre hiking trail across the Alvar that can also be cycled and runs from Karlevi to Möckelmossen. The trail crosses Stora Alvaret to Frösslunda alvar and is marked with cairns. The protected Alvar areas of Karlevi norra och södra alvar comprise habitats typical of Stora Alvaret, shaped by thousands of years of grazing and home to many rare species.

Karlevistenen is a runestone from the Viking Age and bears one of the longest inscriptions in the Nordic region. Bergstigen is a six-kilometre cultural-historical nature trail through varied landscapes in Degerhamn. These landscapes have been shaped by a 300-year-old stone industry. Eketorpsleden is a 1.6-kilometre circular hiking trail that begins at Eketorp borg.

Culture

Eketorps borg is open to visitors who wish to enter and look around the fort. Guided tours and activities such as archery, bread baking and traditional crafts are offered. Archaeological excavations and the reconstruction provide an insight into life on Öland during the Iron Age and the early Middle Ages.

Resmo kyrka is one of Sweden's oldest churches and was built around the year 1100. The chancel and apse contain early medieval lime paintings. The walls of the nave also feature lime paintings from the late Middle Ages and the 17th century.

The garden and park at Capellagården can be explored independently all year round. During the season, Capellagården presents noteworthy exhibitions in art, applied art and handicrafts. Workshops are offered for children and adults.

The site where Sandby borg is located can be visited. The surviving castle wall of Sandby borg is visible; there are currently no traces of houses inside the fort. From the designated car park, Sandby borg can be reached by walking 100 metres south along the shore.

On the Way

Mörbylångaleden is a hiking trail more than 80 kilometres long through natural and cultural landscapes. It runs between Öland's tourist information centre at the bridgehead and Ottenby vandrarhem in Näsby. The trail is divided into five stages and marked with red wooden arrows. The section between Penåsa and Skärlöv is accessible by wheelchair; it runs along an old railway embankment with firm gravel and a strip of grass in the middle.

To the overarching travel overview: Kalmar.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Oskarshamn, Vissefjärda.