Archipelago - Vaasa - Finland #
The Kvarken Archipelago Garden is a natural experience without equal. It stretches from Vaasa, in Finland, across to Sweden, to the town of Umeå. It is also the shortest distance by sea between the two countries. Only 4 1/2 hours by ferry. But what makes Kvarken so special? The annual land uplift that makes Kvarken grow by around 100 hectares every year.
Whats is Kvarken? #
As already mentioned, the region is the narrowest point between Sweden and Finland. The archipelago grows by several hectares every year and its water depth is only 25 metres. This is all due to the post-glacial rebound.
What can you experience there? #
Due to the constant land uplift, a breathtaking landscape has developed along the coast. A paradise for birds, hikers and of course people who own a boat. There are also many nature reserves so that flora and fauna can develop undisturbed.
On site, you can hike to lookout towers, walk multi-day hiking trails, which sometimes require you to take the ferry to the next island. Or you can enjoy the many possibilities listed in ‘Kvarken Destinations’. In general, the area around Vaasa is relatively rural, perfect for relaxing. Because the area is also very flat, it’s great for cycling.
- personally I would of course advise you to explore the archipelago by boat
- climb the observation tower near Svedjehamn
- because it is on the way enjoy the view from the Replot Bridge (Raippaluodon Silta)
Here are a few pictures from the region: #
Journey #
From Vaasa to Svedjehamn: #
When you set off from Vaasa to Svedjehamn, you begin an impressive journey through the picturesque landscapes of the Finnish-Swedish region. Vaasa itself is a city where Finnish is still the main language spoken. But as soon as you leave the city behind, you quickly realise the linguistic and cultural change.
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start in Vaasa: The journey begins in Vaasa, a charming city on the west coast of Finland. The main language spoken here is Finnish, but Swedish is also present.
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over the Replot Bridge: The first stage takes you over the impressive Replot Bridge (Raippaluodon silta), the longest bridge in Finland. The bridge offers breathtaking views of the Kvarken archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the other side of the bridge you enter the municipality of Korsholm (Mustasaari), which already has a strong Finnish-Swedish character.
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heading north: The journey continues to Svedjehamn. The village offers well-preserved old boathouses and beautiful vantage points with sweeping views over the archipelago. The highlight is the Saltkaret observation tower, from where you can experience the unique landscape from a new perspective.
My visit to Kvarken near Svedjehamn #
I travelled by car from Vaasa to the Replot Bridge and made a short stopover there. I enjoyed the wind in the middle of the bridge and the slight swaying that such large bridges bring with them. From there it gets exciting.
The road conditions are typically Finnish: relatively cracked and worn by ice and snow. Sometimes you can only drive at 30 km/h. So you’re happy when you finally arrive in Svedjehamn and find yourself in the large car park.
I was there in mid-August and there was hardly any tourism. The car park was empty and the nearby beach was empty. After a short walk you reach the Saltkaret observation tower (Tripadvisor link), which offers a very nice view. However, the weather has to play along.
If you take a look at the hiking routes that are available there, you will find tours that lead from island to island and sometimes require small ferry boats. If you would like to do something like this, you can start from Svedjehamn. You can find more information here: nationalparks.fi/kvarken
Conclusion: Why you should definitely pay a visit to the Kvarken archipelago #
For me, visiting the Kvarken archipelago was an unforgettable nature experience. The landscape, which is constantly changing and growing, is breathtakingly beautiful and offers a wide range of activities (if you want to and have the time).
I was able to do some hiking, enjoy the marvellous view from the Saltkaret lookout tower and take in the tranquillity of the surroundings. The walk or drive over the Replot Bridge is also exciting.
Although the road conditions were challenging at times, arriving in Svedjehamn was a welcome relief. Especially in August, you have the feeling of having the region almost to yourself. The Kvarken archipelago is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers - a destination that I can only warmly recommend to anyone.