A stony beach, protected wetlands and traces of past harbour activity give Kappelshamn many different facets. During your stay, you can focus on coastal paths, nature watching or cultural history. The places and activities differ considerably: some invite you to go for walks and watch birds, while others tell the story of Gotland’s stone industry or its long history of settlement.
Coast, paths and wetlands
At the Kappelshamn västra bathing area, a roughly 200-metre-long stony beach includes a few sandy stretches. For a different coastal perspective, take the path along the shore from Hallshuk to Kappelshamn. It leads into the bay and offers views across Kappelshamnsviken. Check local path conditions before setting out. There is parking right by the site at the fishing village of Hallshuk.
The Hall-Hangvar nature reserve extends to Kappelshamnsviken. It consists mostly of pine forest and includes several types of wetlands. There are opportunities for coastal hiking, botanical walks and birdwatching. This gives you several ways to explore the landscape, from views across the bay to walks through forest and wetlands.
About two kilometres southwest of Kappelshamn lies Träskmyr, a 180-hectare remnant mire. An observation tower for birdwatching is located east of Gardträsk. It can be reached from a causeway via a path that is partly covered with boardwalks. Birdwatchers will find a specific observation point here, and the route description also indicates the nature of the access.
The Vitärtskällan nature reserve is also nearby, on the eastern side of Kappelshamnsviken. There you can walk along a winding spring stream and observe orchids and other plants of spring-fed mires. Tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula) often breed in the bay. Vitärtskällan’s plant life and the birdlife of the bay offer different nature-watching themes; they are not the same area or observation point.
Fishing village and archaeological traces
Kappelshamn is a fishing village in Hangvar parish, located in an area of valuable cultural landscapes that is part of the cultural heritage conservation programme in Gotland County. Extensive burial grounds dating from the Late Iron Age lie in the western meadow area. Archaeological surveys have also revealed traces of harbour activity. Finds of porcelain, coins and redware are dated to the early modern period, around 1550 to 1700.
Another historical interpretation remains uncertain: traces on maps seem to indicate the site of a medieval chapel; there may also have been a smaller fishing village there. The area thus offers glimpses of different periods, from the burial grounds of the Late Iron Age to possible medieval traces and finds indicating harbour activity in the early modern period. The chapel and the smaller fishing village remain possibilities, not confirmed identifications.
Nearby, the Bläse Kalkbruk Museum presents Gotland’s stone industry as well as the lives and working conditions of its workers. The museum offers a different focus from the archaeological traces in Kappelshamn: here, the subjects are industrial history and working life. These themes can be combined with a historic train ride on Bläse Stentåget during your visit, while keeping in mind that the two attractions offer different experiences.
Seasonal activities and more things to do
Bläse Stentåget travels by locomotive and stone wagon to a former quarry that is now filled with water. The round trip takes about 40 minutes and covers 1.7 kilometres. Since the service is seasonal, check in advance whether a ride is available on your travel dates. The relatively short journey can help you distinguish this activity, timewise, from longer walks or a museum visit.
During the summer season, Kappelshamns Veranda serves fika, food and drinks. Check before your trip whether this seasonal offering is available on your dates. In addition to a football pitch, the Snäckersvallen grounds have space for varpa, boules, brännboll and other activities. Kappelshamn Gästhamn has ten guest berths; availability may change, so it is a good idea to enquire in advance.
When planning your visit, it helps to decide first whether you mainly want to experience the coast, the nature reserves or the cultural history. The coastal path and nature areas offer different landscapes and opportunities for observation; the museum and train ride provide their own cultural highlights. If you combine several of these, take the right travel period into account for seasonal activities and allow about 40 minutes for the Bläse Stentåget ride.
Discover more destinations: Katthammarsvik, Hemse, När, Romakloster, Tingstäde, Lärbro, Fleringe, Slite.
Return to the main travel overview: Gotland.
