Around Flötemarksön and Flötemarken, cultural history, waterways and hiking trails come together. When planning a trip to Flötenmarksen, it is worth considering these themes together: the landscape tells of earlier agricultural use, while trails lead through spruce forests and marshland. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors will also find sections where good navigation is important.

A cultural landscape with a long history

Under Chapter 3, Section 6 of Sweden’s Environmental Code, Flötemarksön and the surrounding cultural landscape are considered to be of national interest for cultural heritage conservation. Flötemarken was already an established farm in the 16th century. In the waterways around Flötemarksön, there were two sawmills and a mill in 1658. These details show different aspects of the area’s history of use: agriculture shaped the farm, while the waterways were associated with sites for sawmills and a mill.

The open areas are also part of the cultural landscape. The small-scale areas around the crofts are kept open through mowing and grazing. The croft sites near Flötemarksön are considered an example of the expansion of crofts into forest and mountain areas in the 19th century. An old barn has been preserved on Gräsön; at Holmen, an older dwelling house and outbuildings remain. These places reveal different traces of settlement without needing to be presented as a single historical ensemble.

Waterways between Kornsjön and Kynnefjäll

Flötemarksön is part of Flötemarken and is surrounded by Kornsjön and several rivers and waterways, including Kynne älv. Flötemarken lies east of Bullaresjöarna, at the beginning of the Kynnefjäll area. South of Flötemarksön, the outflow from the Kornsjöarna lake system runs partly through Kynne älv. North of Flötemarksön, water from the lake system also flows through a smaller watercourse. The outflow from the large lake system forms rapids.

For navigation, it helps to distinguish between the names of the waterways and landscape areas: Kornsjöarna refers to the lake system, while Kynne älv is a river that features both in the landscape and along sections of the Hällekasleden. Water and hiking trails are therefore not just separate interests for visitors; the river is also part of the landscape described along the route.

Hiking with attention to the route and trail markings

The Hällekasleden passes through deep spruce forests and across remote marshes. Some sections run alongside Kynne älv. The route therefore takes in different types of landscape, though not every part of the trail has the same character. When planning your hike, also bear in mind that trail conditions can change, and check conditions before setting out.

Two nearby sections deserve particular attention for navigation. The stage between Flötemarksön and Porsås is not marked throughout. On the section between the Holmen Bridge and National Road 164, hikers must navigate using a map and compass. This calls for careful route planning; incomplete markings should be taken into account when choosing a trail.

A hiking trail connects to the Bohusleden north of Flötemarken. In addition, a stage of the Bohusleden begins in the heart of Kynnefjäll and is described as a wilderness hike. These are two useful details to consider when planning different routes: one concerns the connection to the Bohusleden, while the other is a stage with a wilderness character. Check the specific route before planning to combine them into one hike.

Discover more destinations: Resö, Rabbalshede, Tänum, Kleva Västra, Havstenssund, Lur, Hamburgsund, Tanumshede.

For the broader travel overview: Tanum.