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Lake Vänern has EUROPE’S LARGEST LAKE ARCHIPELAGO
The Eken Archipelago embraces some 120 islands and a host of small, naked
islets. The larger islands are dominated by open rock faces, pine woods with
lichen, moss, heather, crowberries (Empetrum hermaphroditum) and Sheep’s-
Fescue (Festuca ovina). Common gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull,
common tern, red-breasted merganser, cormorant and common sandpiper
nest among the few plants and lichen on the outer skerries, while osprey and
hobby can be seen on the larger islands. The white-tailed eagle returned to
Lake Vänern in 2001. There are some 15 bird conservation areas here where no
one may step ashore during the breeding season.
The islands are best seen from on deck.
Take a tour with one of the
charterboats among the archipelagos surrounding Kållandsö Island. Or let a
knowledgeable guide take you around among the islets and skerries, including
the Lurö and Djurö islands in the middle of Lake Vänern.
Naven
The Naven lighthouse is one of the best-known sites in Lake
Vänern and the one with the longest tradition. It is visible from afar standing at
the western entrance to the Eken archipelago. For five generations the Jonsson
family have taken care of the lighthouse, starting in mid-1800s. The last to live
permanently on the site moved out in 1952. The lighthouse can only be reached
by boat.
LÄCKÖ GOLF
The Läckö Golf Course is only 10 kilometres from the
castle and the Spiken Hamlet. The location is carefully chosen, providing fan-
tastic natural experiences as it meanders through the landscape. Many of the
holes lie all by themselves in their own natural space.
The TRANEBERG Manor
boasts a thousand-year history and several
wellknown Swedish noble families among their owners. In the mid-1600 the
estate was bought by Count Magnus De la Gardie who subsequently gave it to
his sister Marie Sophie as a wedding gift. In our times Traneberg has seen animal
husbandry, forestry and cereal farming.
S:TA MARIE CHAPEL
During the Middle Ages this former parish church
from the 12
th
century was called Torsö. It was abandoned early on and declined.
In the second half of the 1600s, Count Magnus De la Gardie rebuilt it on top of
the ruins of the old church and renamed in honour of his wife, Marie Eufrosyne.
The chapel houses a preserved baptismal font from the 1100s.
Tourist information:
Götene-Lidköping turistbyrå Tel +46(0)510-200 20
www.lackokinnekulle.se
Foto: Hans Kongbäck, Petter Magnusson, Jesper Anhede-Destination Läckö Kinnekulle m fl.