Last weekend we went to northern Öland and visited the Trollskogen! Perhaps you have heard of the forest with the gnarled pines and trees? The forest really lives up to its name and is one of Öland's most classic visitor destinations.
To get to the really gnarled and magical trees, you have to walk on a path in the forest for about two kilometers, and the path there is very beautiful. (Although we didn't find any sugar drinks in this particular tree.)
At the very beginning of the footpath, you could pick up your own little spring sign bingo and tick off what you found.
Much appreciated by the children, who immediately became more positive about walking.
Inside among the tall pines we had good protection from the wind. Because there are so many hollow trees and also dead wood in the Troll Forest, insects and lichens thrive here.
After a short walk you come down to the water.
The pebble beach has light, almost white stones, and the girls threw sandwiches into the water.
We recovered for a little while on a log under the low pine branches before continuing further into the Troll Forest.
This old oak has really many years on its neck! It is believed to be 900 years old, and it goes by the name Trolleken. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen an oak with a trunk this thick anywhere else.
On Öland there are two Naturum; one in southern Öland down by Ottenby where the focus is on birds that have also opened for the season, and so on Naturum Trollskogen where a lot is about insects. Here it is open Thursdays to Sundays, and every day from midsummer onwards.
The birds inside Naturum actually make noise when you pet them. The whole Naturum is very interactive and educational, and really fun and interesting for both children and adults.
On the screens inside, you can press different symbols to learn more. Right here it was about the food chain.
There are also several hatches that can be opened at different heights so that the children can reach. Inside some gaps there may be a moving picture, and in this gap in the old tree…
…hiding little magic bats carved out of wood that you could pet!
An illuminated hatch in the floor was extra exciting.
Fresh air makes you hungry, and now it was clearly lunch time! We headed to restaurant Kalk in Löttorp which has really good hamburgers.
We have always liked eating at Kalk, and now that we have children, we especially appreciate the fact that they have a play corner. And that they don't close again for the season, you can eat here during all months of the year.
Kalk is known for its good hamburgers, but the potatoes are at least as popular! Here you don't get regular fries, but thinly cut, freshly fried chips that taste absolutely fantastic. I can eat as much as I want.
Northern Öland has many attractions, and one of them is the Långe Erik lighthouse. It is not as long as Långe Jan down on the southern cape, but it is just as beautiful! It is built in limestone and was completed in 1845, and measures 32 meters above the water.
We had binoculars with us to scout a little extra.
After watching Långe Erik, we went home again, but stopped in Byxelkrok and bought ice cream each, which we ate in the afternoon sun. Think how wonderful that spring is finally here now!
Right now the lighthouse is closed, but in the summer you can go up to it.
// Helena Elm, April 2021
