Description of Vargö (Wolf Island) and Vargö (Wolf
Island) Nature Reserve by nature reserve supervisor
Västkuststiftelsen:
Omtyckt utflyktsmål. Vargö är en av
öarna i Göteborgs södra skärgård. Ön
är med sina strövmarker och bad och möjligheter till
fiske ett omtyckt utflyktsmål för befolkningen i
Göteborgsregionen. Bälviken med sin fina sandstrand
utgör det bästa badet. En tillgång för
besökare är också Stjärnviks
värdshus.
Särpräglat landskap. Ön är starkt
kuperad och genomdras av parallella sprickdalar, som här och
var utmynnar i vikar med bergryggar, som ger strandkonturerna ett
särpräglat, flikigt utseende. Typiskt för Vargö
är också den vindpinade ekkrattskogen med inslag av
björk, asp och bok. Saltängarna längs den stora
bukten i nordväst är botaniskt intressanta med
förekomst av bl.a. landets bägge marrisparter.
Vargö (Translates to Wolf Island, or maybe Isle of the
Wolf) is a scarcely populated, and has varied nature; rocks, woods,
beaches.
Although the name "Wolf Island" suggests the presence of wolfs, to
my knowledge there are no predators here /except birds hunting for
fish). Actually you are much more likely to find sheep / live-stock
here, remember to close any gate you may open while hiking!
Most of the island is part of Vargö
nature reserve; managed by Västkuststiftelsen. Important
restrictions ("DO NOT"):
- Camping is not allowed; unless if offered special
permission received by nature reserve supervisor
(Västkuststiftelsen).
- Dogs/pets must be leashed.
- Making fire is not allowed (except where explicitly
permitted)
Anchoring "house-boat" / "boat of living" to the island is
not allowed.
Good stuff to know about the cache:
- You probably get here by public transportation
(www.vasttrafik.se) - the ferry from Saltholmen.
- Check when the last ferry from the island depart, you don't want
to miss it. (and rise the semaphore, just to make sure the boat
doesn't miss you waiting there...)
- You should estimate you need about two hours for geocaching, but
really you ought make this one a full day trip because this
island is magnificent and there is so much exploring to do here!!!
Try to see as much as possible!
- There is no shop on the island, and the restaurant "Stjärnviks värdshus" is
usually not open (unless booked, consider calling them). So you
better bring along enough food and water to reside here some
hours.
- Around N57 37.119 E11 45.138 you can find beach, picnic table and
public toilet
- Around N57 37.048 E11 45.129 you are far up on the mountain and
the wind is incredible - it's like all wind of the entire sea is
trying to throw you off the island! (be very careful on
windy days!)
Images from my first trip to Vargö, at picasa.
