Last weekend we went to northern Öland and visited the Trollskogen! Maybe you've 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 destinations.
To get out 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 offers a lot of nice things. (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. Since there are so many hollow trees and even dead wood in Trollskogen, insects and lichens thrive extra well here.
After a short walk you come down to the water.
The pebble beach has light, almost white pebbles, and the girls threw sandwiches into the water.
We recovered for a little while on a log under the low pine branches before we continued further into Trollskogen.
This old oak tree has been around for a lot of years! It is believed to be 900 years old, and it goes by the name Trollleken. I actually don't think I've ever seen an oak tree with such a thick trunk anywhere else.
On Öland there are two Naturum; one on southern Öland down by Ottenby, where the focus is on birds that have also opened for the season, and then Naturum Trollskogen , where there is a lot of insects. It is open Thursdays to Sundays, and every day from Midsummer.
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 tap on different symbols to learn more. This was about the food chain.
There are also several hatches that can be opened at different height levels so that the children can reach. Inside some gaps there can be a moving image, and in this gap in the old tree...
...little magic bats were hiding, carved in wood that you could pet!
An illuminated hatch down in the floor was extra exciting.
Fresh air makes you hungry, and now it was definitely lunch time! We went to restaurant Kalk in Löttorp which has really good burgers.
We have always liked to eat at Kalk, and now that we have children, we appreciate the fact that they have a play corner. And that they don't miss again for the season, here you can eat during all months of the year.
Kalk is known for its delicious burgers, but the potatoes are just 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 sights, and one of them is the lighthouse Långe Erik. It's not as long as Långe Jan down on the southern cape, but it's just as nice! It is built of 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 an ice cream each that we ate in the afternoon sun. Imagine how wonderful that spring is finally here now!
At the moment, the lighthouse is closed, but in the summer you can go up in it.
Helena Elm, April 2021
