Visiting the Kvädöfjärden nature reserve – what to know

What is Kvädöfjärden?

Kvädöfjärden is a nature reserve in Östergötland with valuable forests, coastal rocks, bays and marine habitats. Its purpose is to preserve biodiversity, the landscape and outdoor recreation. The sauna at Ekudden lies next to the reserve, and you are welcome to swim, walk and watch birds as long as you follow the rules.

Kvädöfjärden is a nature reserve in Östergötland with valuable forests, coastal cliffs, bays and marine environments. The aim is to preserve biodiversity, the landscape and outdoor life in a sustainable way. The sauna area at Ekudden lies next to the reserve.

As a visitor you can enjoy nature – swim, walk, watch birds – as long as you follow the rules and do not harm protected values.

Trails and walks

There are paths and forest tracks in the area that many guests walk before or after the sauna. Stay on existing trails to protect sensitive ground and bird nests. The terrain can be rocky and slippery near the water, so sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring a water bottle on your walk.

There are paths and forest tracks in the area that many guests use before or after the sauna. Stay on existing trails where marked, to avoid trampling sensitive ground and nests.

Boots or sturdy shoes are recommended – the terrain can be rocky and slippery near the water. Bring a water bottle; water for your sauna visit is fetched from the pump by the cabin as instructed on site.

Wildlife and birds

The coast has rich birdlife, especially during the spring and autumn migrations. Keep your distance and avoid disturbing nesting birds, roughly April–July. Seals and other wildlife can be seen out in the bay – watch from a distance and never feed wild animals. Dogs must be kept under control.

The coast has rich birdlife – especially during the spring and autumn migrations. Keep your distance and avoid disturbing nests during the breeding season (roughly April–July). Dogs must be kept under control.

Seals and other wildlife can be seen out in the bay. Watch from a distance; do not feed wild animals. Leave no food scraps in nature.

Protected waters

The water is part of the protected ecosystem. Feel free to swim from the jetty by the sauna, but never throw litter in the bay and do not disturb plants or life on the seabed more than necessary. Swimming quietly from the jetty, as most sauna guests do, fits well with the aims of the reserve.

The water is part of the protected ecosystem. Swim from the jetty at the sauna as booked, but never throw litter in the bay. Avoid pulling up protected plants or disturbing seabed life closer to shore than necessary.

Motorboats and jet skis may be regulated in the reserve – as a sauna guest you usually swim quietly from the jetty, which fits well with the protection goals.

Access and rules

You may move around the reserve on foot, but motor vehicles off roads and car parks may be prohibited. Respect signs and temporary closures, for example for nesting birds. Use the composting toilet (Ekudden torrtoa on Naturkartan) and only park at Ekuddevägen 10 when you have a booking.

Public access to nature reserves on foot is normally allowed, but motor vehicles off roads and car parks may be prohibited. Respect signs and any temporary closures (e.g. for nesting birds).

A composting toilet (Ekudden torrtoa) is marked on Naturkartan – use it rather than going in nature. Parking for sauna visits is at Ekuddevägen 10 as part of your booking, not at random spots along the road.

• Stay on paths and marked areas
• Do not disturb animals and nesting birds
• No litter in the forest or water
• Use the composting toilet shown on the map
• Only park at the agreed spot when you have a booking